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A Guide to Navigate Local Travel During Paris Olympics 2024

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Jul 27, 2024 / 4298 Views

Thanks to the Paris Olympics 2024, France has become a top summer destination for European Travel this year. From July 26 to August 11, 2024, the City Of Lights will host some of the biggest athletes of the world as well as tourists, making summer in Paris a crowded affair. But before flying to Paris this summer, you must know crucial details that can make your Travel smooth in this part of Europe.

While you can expect larger crowds during this period, Paris remains a city brimming with arts, culture, history, natural beauty, and world-class shopping. From the iconic Champs-Élysées to the romantic Eiffel Tower and gourmet flavours of French cuisine, Paris promises activities and landmarks that deserve top space in your to-do list. Follow our guide to free things to do in Paris to make the most of your Parisian escapade.

Strikes, closure of monuments and roadblocks are just a few things you will face in Paris during the summer of 2024. Fret not, one can easily navigate the city despite these interruptions and have a wonderful vacation.

Paris in summer 2024: Things you need to know before heading to the French capital

Temporary closure of tourist attractions in Paris

Several iconic attractions in Paris are being converted into Sports arenas for the Games. If you are attending the Olympics 2024, you will be able to see these attractions, but not in their original glory. Tourists should check the list below and make note of the Parisian attractions that will be temporarily closed to the public.

Place de la Concorde: The largest and one of the most famous public squares will be hosting BMX freestyle, skateboarding, breaking and 3X3 basketball.
Grand Palais: This historic exhibition hall will host Olympic sports like fencing and taekwondo.
Esplanade des Invalides: The beloved sunbathing lawn along the Seine will be closed for archery.
Palace of Versailles: The former residence of many legendary French kings will be the site for equestrian and modern pentathlon.
Hotel de Ville de Paris: The French City Hall will host the beginning of the marathon.
Pont Alexandre III: The beautiful bridge that connects the Eiffel Tower to the Champs-Élysées will be the finish line for individual cycling time trials, swimming marathon, triathlon and Para triathlon.
Champ de Mars: The majestic lawns right in front of the Eiffel Tower will be known as the Eiffel Tower Stadium, and be used for beach volleyball and blind football events.
Trocadéro Square: Another scenic garden known for its Eiffel Tower views, Trocadéro Square will be closed.

Travel Note: The Eiffel Tower will be closed on July 26, 2024, but will remain open throughout the games.

Public transport strikes, closures and delays in Paris

Summer Olympics in Paris — Image credit: BearFotos/Shutterstock

Moving around the city may become difficult as road closures and strikes are anticipated in Paris and other parts of Europe during the summer.

Unions representing transport workers responsible for Paris’ public transport, such as the Métro, tram, and bus services, have launched several strikes and are threatening to strike during the Olympics. They are demanding extra pay and support for the work they’ll be doing for the Games.

Furthermore, some metro stations and tramways will also be closed to manage the Paris Olympics. Several bridges across the beautiful Seine River will also be closed, causing roadblocks and difficulty in navigating the city. River cruises will continue until seven days before the opening ceremony.

Paris metro stations that’ll be temporarily closed:

Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau
Tuileries
Concorde

Tramways to be temporarily closed:

Porte d’Ivry
Porte de Versailles
Colette Besson

Bridges to be temporarily closed:

Carrousel bridge
Part of pont d’Iéna
Pont de l’Alma
Pont de la Tournelle
Pont au Change
Pont de la Concorde
Pont Royal
Pont d’Arcole
Pont Alexandre III
Pont des Arts
Pont Neuf
Pont d’Austerlitz
Debilly footbridge

A dedicated government website will give real-time information on transport and traffic congestion during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Anticiper les Jeux will feature an interactive map showing roadblocks and public transport delays.

Beware of scams and pickpockets

Paris in summer — Image credit: Symeonidis Dimitrios/Shutterstock

The city has a reputation for pickpockets and scammers. These people exploit tourists’ lack of knowledge and scam them into losing money or stealing wallets or phones. Some popular scams include strangers slipping a bracelet on your wrist and demanding a high cost for the product, forcing tourists to buy something they never intended to. Peruse our guide on the most popular scams in Europe for insights into what you may encounter in Paris during the Summer Olympics.

Basic French phrases to communicate

French language — Image credit: cunaplus/Shutterstock

It helps to know essential phrases in the language of the country you are travelling to. While many Parisians know English, the person you are trying to communicate with might not be well-versed. Hence, be armed with French phrases that help you navigate the city better during the Summer Olympics.

Some common French phrases to know:

Bonjour: Hello
Au revoir: Goodbye
S’il vous plaît (formal)/s’il te plaît (informal): Please
Merci: Thank you.
De rien: You’re welcome.
Oui: Yes
Non: No
Parlez-vous anglais?: Do you speak English?
Je ne parle pas français: I don’t speak French.
Je suis désolé: I am sorry.
Je suis perdu: I am lost.

Download these apps to explore the city smoothly

Apps to download — Image credit: Maridav/Shutterstock

Smartphones are modern guidebooks that can store crucial information to help us travel better! Several apps are designed to make exploring France, especially Paris, easy for tourists.

Some useful apps you can download to navigate the 2024 Paris Olympics:

CityMapper: This mapping service app provides detailed information about the city’s Metro, trams and buses.
Bonjour RATP: This is the official public transport app for Paris. You can buy tickets, check routes, and more.
Dott: Access over 8,000 e-bikes through this rental app.
Whatizis: An offline app offering guided tours of monuments and tourist attractions.
Airvat: Use this app to get a tax refund for all your shopping in Paris. (Tourists get a 20 percent tax refund on shopping in France.)
Google Translate: This app shall translate all French signage and boards to English.

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong.

(Feature image credit: Catarina Belova/Shutterstock)