Summer Olympic Games 2024 in France: schedules and how to get there

Olympic Games 2024 will be held in Paris and 16 other cities in the European part of France. Part of the competition will be also held in Tahiti, an island in the French overseas territory of French Polynesia. This will be the third time that Paris hosts the Olympic Games. Spectators will be able to watch world-class athletes compete in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower or along the banks of the Seine River, creating an unparalleled atmosphere.

Paris — the city of love and inspiration, will host one of the largest sports events of the year 2024. Here you will find the most important information about the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, directions and train schedules between Paris and other cities in France.

Opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris 2024: basic information

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics will take place on July 26 on the banks of the Seine in Paris. Viewers will be able to watch the opening ceremony directly from the river bank, following the broadcast on huge screens on floating platforms and barges.

The ceremony is expected to feature a grand procession of athletes from the participating nations, as well as mesmerizing performances by some of France’s most talented musicians, dancers, and acrobats. Iconic Parisian landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, are rumored to be incorporated into the staging, creating a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

Approximately 300,000 people will be able to watch the opening ceremony live. The official Olympic Games celebrations will take place in the Trocadéro Gardens, next to the Eiffel Tower, after the water parade. This year’s Olympics will be officially opened by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

The central stadium of the 2024 Summer Games is located in the commune of Saint-Denis near Paris, it is one of the most capacious European stadiums — it can accommodate up to 80,000 spectators.

The Summer Games in Paris will last from July 26th to August 11th, and from August 28th to September 8th, the city will also host the Paralympics.

Getting to and around France: train schedule

Traveling by train is one of the best ways to experience the beauty and diversity of France. The country’s extensive high-speed rail network connects major cities and regions, making it easy and efficient to explore the French landscape.

The carriages, equipped with comfortable seats and places to rest, create a pleasant atmosphere for passengers. Additionally, high-speed trains are available on some routes, thanks to which you can reach the most distant corners of France in a very short time.

Check available train connections and current train timetables in France:

Thanks to convenient railway connections, Paris is also accessible for tourists from various parts of Europe. By choosing the train as a means of transport, you can easily reach the heart of France from any corner of Europe. Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the continent, and the developed railway infrastructure makes reaching the French capital easy and convenient.

High-speed Eurostar and SNCF trains connect Paris with major European cities such as Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin and Zurich. The journey takes on average 1 to 3 hours, depending on the distance.

Check from which European cities you can travel to Paris:

Why is it worth choosing the train when traveling around France?

Traveling by train in France is the perfect combination of comfort, speed and beautiful views. It’s a great way to discover the diversity of this country. Here are some reasons why you should choose the train for your next trip to France:

1. Convenience and comfort

French trains are famous for their comfort and convenience. They provide comfortable seats and a wide selection of carriage classes, as well as other train amenities so that passengers can enjoy their journey.

2. Beautiful landscapes

When traveling by train in France you will have the opportunity to admire picturesque landscapes. From the vineyards of Burgundy to the majestic Alps, amazing landscapes open from the train windows.

3. Speed ​​and safety

The railway network in France is very well developed. Trains run regularly throughout the country, connections are covering the most popular tourist destinations and cities, ensuring travelers can get everywhere quickly and comfortably.

4. Affordability

Train ticket prices in France are reasonable, making train travel affordable for a wide range of travelers. You can check ticket availability and train timetables on the PolishTrains website.

Whether you’re exploring the historic streets of Paris, sampling the local cuisine in Lyon, or admiring the lavender fields of Provence, the train is an excellent way to travel in France.

What is new to the Olympics in 2024?

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are set to introduce a number of groundbreaking new features that will redefine the Olympic experience. One of the most exciting innovations is the plan to hold several events in the heart of the city, rather than at traditional sports venues on the outskirts.

This year, over 10,000 of the best athletes from over 200 countries around the world will take part in the competition. They will conquer new sports peaks in over 30 disciplines.

For the first time, the following disciplines will be presented at the Olympics: breakdancing, surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing. These dynamic, youth-oriented disciplines reflect the Games’ mission to remain relevant and engaging for modern audiences.

Breakdance: breakdancing competitions will be held for both women’s and men’s teams with an equal number of participants. After its success at the Olympic Games in Argentina, breakdancing was added to the program of this year’s Games in Paris.

Sport Climbing: in climbing, competitions for “mixed” teams have been replaced with separate competitions for each gender. Climbing was also first featured at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina, later in Tokyo, and now at the Paris Olympics.

Surfing: surfing competitions will take place over the 4 days of the Olympics, but at a huge distance from the center of the Olympics – Teahupoo Beach in Tahiti.

Skateboarding: another popular youth sport was added to the 2020 Olympics program for the first time. At this year’s Paris Olympics, athletes will be performing their tricks in Paris’s central square, the Place de La Concorde.

The organizers have also placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, with plans to utilize existing infrastructure wherever possible and construct temporary, removable venues. This “new norm” approach aims to reduce the environmental impact of hosting the Games and serve as a model for future host cities. All sports facilities were created using renewable materials, and the energy for the event comes exclusively from renewable sources. The winners’ medals contain metals obtained from old electronic devices.

The 2024 Olympic Games: venues in France

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris is an unforgettable event for athletes and fans from around the world. The competition will take place at various sports facilities located throughout Paris and its surroundings.

The main venue for the games is the Olympic Park, located on the banks of the Seine in the city center. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held here, as well as competitions in athletics, swimming, gymnastics and other sports.

In addition, the competition will also take place at the Stade de France — stadium in the north of Paris, where football matches will be played. Competitions in cycling, basketball, boxing and other sports will be held at specially built facilities throughout the city.

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will take place across a variety of venues, both within the city and in the surrounding regions. Here are some of the key locations where the competitions will be held:

Paris City Center

Skateboarding, sport climbing, and 3×3 basketball events will be held in iconic Parisian locations, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Seine River, and the Champs-Élysées.

The triathlon and marathon competitions will also take place in the heart of the city.

Stade de France (Saint-Denis)

The opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics events, will be held at the Stade de France, the national stadium located just outside of Paris.

La Défense Arena (Nanterre)

The basketball finals, as well as the handball and volleyball competitions, will take place at the La Défense Arena, a cutting-edge sports and entertainment complex.

Grand Palais Paris

The fencing, taekwondo, and boxing events will be held at the historic Grand Palais in central Paris.

Versailles (Yvelines)

The equestrian and modern pentathlon competitions will take place in the grounds of the iconic Château de Versailles, located just outside of the French capital.

Île-de-France Region

Other events, such as sailing, rowing, and mountain biking, will be held in various locations throughout the Île-de-France region surrounding Paris.

This diverse array of venues, both within the city and in the surrounding areas, will provide a unique and dynamic setting for the 2024 Olympic Games, showcasing the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Paris region.

Fan zones of the Olympic Games in Paris

Thanks to live broadcasts on giant screens, as well as a wide range of events, most residents and guests of Paris will be able to follow the competition live. The organizers of this year’s Olympics tried to expand the competition far beyond the stadiums to make the event as accessible to everyone as possible. With 26 sports venues, including 15 Olympic and 11 Paralympic venues, as well as 25 training venues, Paris will be the center of this year’s Games.

The Fan Zones of the Olympic Games in Paris will not be limited to broadcasting sports events. They will become meeting places for guests and fans, offering a variety of attractions, from live music to street food. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, sporting and cultural events will be organized in approximately twenty festive zones in several districts of Paris.

A total of 25 specially designated zones will be opened free of charge on the occasion of the Paris Olympic Games in summer 2024. For those who were unable to purchase tickets to the event itself, it is an opportunity to support athletes from their country with friends and family, even far from the competition venues. In addition to the festive zone created in the Parvis de l’Hôtel de Ville, the Olympic and Paralympic Games will also be held in the capital:

in the 19th arrondissement – Parc de la Villette Club France

in the 8th arrondissement – ​​Parc Monceau

in the 16th arrondissement – Trocadero Park of Champions

and also in the 5th district – Aren de Lutes.

Closing ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris

From urban settings to eco-friendly practices, the 2024 Paris Olympics are poised to redefine the Olympic experience and inspire a new era of innovation in the world’s premier sporting event.

The closing ceremony promises to be no less exciting: a gala concert and an unforgettable light show over the Eiffel Tower will symbolize the end of the competition. Thanks to projection technologies and lasers, the tower will turn into a huge artistic object. 

Plan your summer trip to the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 today, check available train connections in France on the PolishTrains website.