Are you planning a trip to Paris during the Summer 2024? If the answer is yes, you already know that the city of Paris is hosting the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. That means that moving around will be difficult as we are getting closer to the opening ceremony on July 26. With this blog post, I share tips on how you can best enjoy your time in Paris during the 2024 summer Olympics and Paralympics to help you move around smoothly.
Table of Contents
How to best enjoy the Paris 2024 Olympics
How to best enjoy the Paris 2024 summer Olympics you might ask? By knowing in advance how to properly use public transportation. Parisians are already complaining about the Concorde metro station and place de la Concorde that are currently closed. To help you better plan your way around the city, find below a list of all the metro stations scheduled to be closed that may impact your stay during the Olympics.
Metro line 1 from June 17-September 21.
- Concorde
- Tuileries
- Champs-Elysées-Clémenceau- July 1-September 21
Metro line 4 from July 18-27
Cité
Metro line 5 from July 18-27
Quai de la Rapée
Metro line 6 from July 18-27
- Trocadéro
- Passy
Metro line 7 from July 18-27
- Châtelet
- Pont Marie
- Pont Neuf
- Sully Morland
Metro line 8 from June 17-September 21.
Concorde
Metro line 9 from July 18-27
- Alma-Marceau
- Trocadéro
- Iéna
Metro line 10 from July 18-27
Javel
Metro line 12 from May 17-Sept 21
Concorde which is already closed since since May 17.
Metro line 13 from July 1 to September 21
Champs Elysées Clémenceau
Suburban train RER C-from July 18-27
- Musée d’Orsay
- Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel
- Pont de L’Alma
Now that you know which stations are/will be closed, if you are wondering what the free events at the Paris Olympics 2024 are, you might like this post.
Where to get a public transportion card
To move around, you will need a public transporation card. You can get one at all the metro and train stations in Paris. You can choose to buy (the Navigo Easy card) with the option to pay as you go. Just pay 2 euros for the card and add money to it as you wish. Furthermore, you can opt for a Paris Visite travel pass depending on the number of days (1-5 days maximum) that you will be in town. This card only covers unlimited public transportation in zones 1-5 including all airports, the OrlyVal, Disneyland, Château de Versailles… It does not include sightseeing.
Museums and Monuments Pass
As stated above, If you plan on moving around especially to visit museums and monuments, you have to purchase a museum pass. “The Paris Museum Pass” is your best option and gives you access to more than 50 monuments and museums. You can get this pass online on the official Paris Museum Pass website or at the Tourism information desk at:
- Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Orly Airport
- Galeries La Fayette
- Disneyland Paris
- Major museums
Now that I have covered the metro and suburban station that will be closed, public transportation and museum passes, let’s talk about the best way for you to anticipate your trips.
How to best anticipate your trip
To best anticipate your trips, frequently check the RATP website or its app for the latest info on traffic. In addition, the roads will be busier than usual during the Olympics and it will be best to avoid them. If you are staying in the outskirts of Paris or in another region, leave the car alone and stick to public transportation. Visitors and locals are highly encouraged to not drive to the city before, during and right after the Olympics and Paralympics.
Furthermore, it will be difficult to move around by car in the cities located outside of Paris that will be welcoming some of the competitions. Those cities are:
- Versailles
- Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
- Saint Denis
- Villepinte
- Le Bourget
- Colombes
- Nanterre
- Vaires-sur-Marne
Walking restrictions
In certain areas of the city certain restrictions will be put in place. With such restrictions in place, residents and visitors staying in these areas might have to apply for a digital pass (Pass Jeux). This pass will allow you to circulate within the secure perimeters of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To check to see if you might need one, check out the official website Pass Jeux for more information or ask the front desk receptionnist at your hotel. If you do not feel like dealing with any restrictions, there are plenty of things to see and to do in the districts that aren’t concerned by them.
The districts with no restrictions
The 10,18, 19 and 20th districts are a sure choice. These districts although not centrally located have a lot to offer in terms of things to see, to do and places to eat. Wonderig what to do in the 19th arrondissement? Check out my guide on what to do in the 19th arrondissement here.
Final thoughts
To sum things up, despite the challenges posed by closed perimeters, metro stations and driving restrictions, there are still numerous ways to thoroughly enjoy Paris during the 2024 Olympics.
Firstly, making good use of available public transportation options, including metro, buses and trams, can ensure smooth and convenient travel. Second, planning ahead can help you avoid unexpected delays and maximize your time in the city.
Pin this image
Would you like to add something to the conversation? Feel free to leave a comment to help a fellow traveler down below.
