Where to eat and activities to do near the Paris Games venues

In anticipation of the 2024 Paris Games, popular neighbourhoods, restaurants, and attractions in the city will be more crowded than usual. Here is the list of some Olympic-centric neighbourhoods around Paris to add to your planning:

1. Paris La Défense Arena:

Game happenings: Paris La Défense Arena is a multipurpose indoor arena located in Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris. For the Paris 2024 Olympics, the arena will be transformed into an Olympic swimming pool staging for swimming and water polo competitions.

What to do nearby: La Défense is a business district famous for its modern architecture and skyscrapers. The Grande Arche de la Défense is a notable landmark where you can climb to the top of the arch for panoramic views of Paris in distance.

There are also several shopping centres and restaurants in the area, including the Les Quatre Temps (Westfield 4 Temps) mall, which is one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. Another free thing to do is scroll through the La Defense city center to immerse in the “open-air museum”, see full list of locations and artworks here.

Places to eat in the area: Head to Le Faubourg La Défense, right opposite the arena, for a range of French and European cuisine, including seafood, meat and vegetarian options, suitable for grabbing a bite before or after a game.

For fine-dining options, try Eugène Eugène a French and Mediterranean restaurant with lively and chic decoration including outdoor terrace for dining any time of the day. Other quick-bite options are Restaurant Alvaro and La French Touch which offers a selection of French pastries, sandwiches, and salads for on the go.

2. Stade Olympique Yves du Manoir:

Game happenings: located in Colombes city, northwest of Paris, Stade Olympique Yves du Manoir will be hosting the hockey competitions in Paris 2024 Olympics. The stadium is proud to be the only venue in France to be the stage for the Olympic games for the second time, with an increased capacity for up to 15,000 people.

What to do nearby: The nearby town of Colombes is known for its charming old town, with picturesque streets and buildings that date back to the Middle Ages.

Visitors can also take a stroll through Parc Pierre Lagravère, which is a 5-hectare park with a lake, walking trails, and a playground. If you have more time to spend in the town, pay a visit to Art and History Municipal Museum of Colombes to explore the history and art of Colombes.

Places to eat: La Grande Cascade is a stunning restaurant located in the Bois de Boulogne park, offering a unique dining experience in a beautiful setting, and serving traditional French cuisine with a modern twist.

Another popular spot is Bistrot Pas Parisien, a cosy and charming for those looking for a traditional dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere. There are also plenty of cafes and bakeries in the area for a quick bite, such as Pâtisserie Orientale Elksour and La Maison Héloïse.

3. La Chapelle Arena:

Olympic happenings: located in the 18th arrondissement of Paris to the north, La Chapelle Arena is a brand-new cultural and sports hub to be completed by the end of 2023. It will host the badminton and rhythmic gymnastics competition in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

What to do nearby: The area is surrounded by several attractions worth exploring. One of the most famous landmarks in the area is the stunning Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, perched on top of Montmartre hill.

Visitors can also wander through the charming streets of the Montmartre neighbourhood, known for its bohemian atmosphere, artists, and street performers. Other nearby attractions include the Moulin Rouge cabaret, Saint-Denis Basilica, and the Cimetière de Montmartre, one of the most picturesque cemeteries in Paris.

Places to eat: The area around La Chapelle Arena is known for its diverse food scene, with many international cuisines to choose from. Head to Bistrot Pas Parisien, a charming restaurant that serves classic French dishes made with a wide selection of wines and cocktails for a casual lunch or dinner with friends and family.

For Asian taste, Thaï Basilic Rosa Parks offer a range of dishes from spicy curries and noodle dishes to stir-fries and soups, all bursting with flavors of traditional Thai herbs and spices. Holybelly is another trendy cafe that serves all-day breakfast.

4. Stade de France & Aquatics Center:

Game happenings: Stade de France, the country’s largest stadium, is set to host the athletics events, including track and field, and rugby matches at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Located a footbridge away from the Stade de France is the Aquatics Center, one of the permanent sports facilities to be built for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. It will host artistic swimming, diving, and water polo with an expected capacity of 5,000 people.

What to do nearby: The nearby Saint-Denis Basilica, a famous Gothic cathedral that houses the tombs of French kings is worth a visit while waiting between events. While there aren't many major tourist attractions in the immediate vicinity of Stade de France.

Visitors can take a short trip on the RER train to reach central Paris and its many iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Champs-Élysées. Visit Saint-Ouen flea market if you love browsing for antiques and vintage items, open from Saturday to Monday only.

Places to eat: For a pre- or post-game meal, the Lenôtre located within the stadium itself is a convenient option for either a full meal or a snack of pastries and cakes. There are also La 3ème Mi-temps, Le Rendez -Vous and Quick right opposite the stadium for dining, a quick bite or a pint.

5. Roland-Garros Stadium & Parc des Princes:

Game happenings: Roland-Garros Stadium is one of the most prestigious venues for tennis events in the world and will host not only the tennis but also boxing competitions for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Located 5-minute-walking away from the stadium, Parc des Princes, also known as home of Paris Saint-Germain football club, is hosting many football games.

What to do nearby: Both stadiums are located in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, one of the city’s largest parks for a leisurely stroll, a boat ride or visiting the amusement park Jardin d’acclimatation. In the park, you will also find the Louis Vuitton Foundation, a unique building showcasing modern and contemporary art in a range of artistic styles and mediums.

For those interested in fashion, the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées is just a short ride away. If you are attending a match in Parc des Princes, don’t forget to book a stadium tour to walk in the footsteps of the heroes of Paris Saint-Germain, reserve your ticket here.

Places to eat: There are plenty of dining options around the area, for high-end options head to Le Bleu, while Chez Madeleine with La Terrasse du Stade offers stunning view of the Parc des Princes. Épicerie Madeleine or Le Gorgeon, with freshly baked pastries and sandwiches, are ideal for more casual dining or a quick bite.

6. Central Paris: Grand Palais, Eiffel Tower Stadium, Iéna Bridge, Champs de Mars Arena:

Game happenings: While the Grand Palais will be hosting fencing and taekwondo competitions, the Eiffel Tower Stadium will be served as the site for beach volleyball. The Champ de Mars, which is the large park area between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire, will be the stage for judo, wrestling and breaking, and the Iéna Bridge will be used for archery, athletics and road cycling.

What to do nearby: These venues are all clustered around the major tourist destination Eiffel Tower and within walking distance from each other, so there is no shortage of things to do nearby. Check out the Trocadéro Gardens for an impressive view of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River. For art enthusiasts, Musée d'Orsay, Louvre Museum and Rodin Museum are all within walking distance.

Additionally, the Seine River is just a short walk away where visitors can take a scenic boat tour of the city. Champs-Élysées, one of the most famous avenues in the world, near to the Grand Palais, is lined with shops, cafes, and theatres to suit everyone’s taste and budget.

Places to eat: There are many options for food in the area, from street vendors selling crepes and ice cream to upscale restaurants with views of the tower. Les Ombres, a restaurant located in the Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, offers panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower, and Le Jules Verne, a Michelin-starred restaurant located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower itself, offers a gourmet dining experience with stunning views of the city.

Options for more casual experience include Bar Gustave or Cafe de Mars, both of which serve a great selection of French cuisine. Also worth a visit is the pedestrian street Rue Cler lined with cafes and food shops selling everything from baguettes to macarons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I get tickets for the 2024 Paris Games?

Given the high demand in the games, tickets for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are sold by draw. Only lucky people randomly selected in the draw will be given access to a purchase window that lasts for only certain number of hours, where they can buy tickets up to a maximum limit allowed (depending on the sale phase). Check the official website for more details on sale phases and register for the draw.

How much is a ticket for the 2024 Paris Games?

Ticket prices vary depending on your chosen seat category, sport and sessions. The starting price for tickets sold on the first selling phase is €24 for a single ticket (excluding the ceremonies). Ticket prices for different sessions are available here.

Where is the 2024 Paris Games opening ceremony?

For the first time of the Summer Olympic history, the opening ceremony of Paris Olympic 2024 will not be held in a stadium, but in front of Trocadéro, an open space with iconic view to the Eiffel Tower, where the final shows will take place after the parade of the athletes on the Seine by boats. So if you do not manage to get the ticket to any game, you can still attend the opening ceremony with free admission on the upper banks of the Seine river on the 26^th July 2024 by the Trocadéro.