Paris 2024: the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games
This summer, Paris will host the Olympic Games for the third time and the Paralympic Games for the first time. For this occasion, the City of Light is reinventing the event. For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the ceremony will not be held in a stadium. The French government and the IOC want to offer the athletes and the public an unprecedented parade on the Seine. Coming to Paris? We've gathered all the information you need to know about the 2024 Olympic Games program and the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games.
The opening ceremony: a unique and bold parade on the Seine River
From July 26 to August 11, 2024, France will host the world's biggest sporting event: the Olympic Games. And from August 28 to September 8, 2024, the Paralympic Games. The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games will be bold, original and magnificent. Paris will offer an event that will go down in the history of the Games. The parade will take place in the heart of Paris, on the river Seine. Are you visiting Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games then? Come celebrate sports with your favorite athletes!
Paris 2024: the Opening Ceremony on the Seine
The athletes will parade on the Seine in boats representing each national delegation. The boats will be equipped with cameras to allow the public to see the athletes. The 10,500 athletes will pass through the center of Paris. After 6 km, the parade will come to an end in front of the Trocadéro, where the final shows will take place.
When is the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games?
Sports fans, save the date! The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games will take place on July 26, 2024. The event will begin at 7.30 p.m. local time.
Is the Opening Ceremony free and open to the public?
A free Opening Ceremony open to the public is another first in the history of the Olympic Games. Spectators will have access to the upper quays of the Seine with their free tickets. However, if you want to watch the event from the lower quays, you will have to buy tickets to access that area. If you're concerned about the visibility, don't worry! Eight giant screens will be installed so that everyone can watch the show.
As for the free tickets, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that 222,000 tickets will be distributed. To attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games for free, people will have to register online. The audience will then be selected by third parties such as the French government, the Île-de-France local authorities, and the Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
An opening ceremony to celebrate athletes from around the world
Athletes from all around the world will be the stars of the summer. And they will be the heart and soul of the ceremony. Once again, Paris 2024 will break tradition by opening with the Parade of Delegations. During the introduction and throughout the ceremony, athletes will be on stage alongside the performers.
Opening Ceremony: What is the parade route in Paris?
Since the parade takes place on the Seine, it follows the course of the river. It covers a distance of 6 km from east to west. The event starts at the Pont Austerlitz, next to the Jardin des Plantes. The boats will pass by the two islands in the center of the city, the Île Saint-Louis and the Île de la Cité.
The boats will then pass under the city's eight to ten bridges and gateways. On board, the athletes will discover some of the official venues such as the Place de la Concorde, the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais. The parade will end in front of the Trocadéro for the ceremony's final.
The 2024 Games Opening Ceremony security arrangements
On the day of the Opening Ceremony, a security perimeter will be set up along the entire length of the Seine River in Paris. A red zone will be established and all motorized access will be prohibited. Check out this helpful map for more information. French Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin has also announced that the government will suspend air traffic within 150 km of Paris on the evening of the ceremony. It will be resumed after the ceremony.
How do I get to the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics in Paris?
The real question here is how to get around Paris during the Games ? It is no secret that getting around the city during the Opening Ceremony and the Games will be difficult. Depending on where you want to watch the events, you have two options. You can either use public transportation or drive.
Getting to the Olympic Opening Ceremony by rental car
At Getaround, we offer a car rental service that is easy, fast and safe. If you're looking for a car to drive to the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games, you've come to the right place. Simply create a profile. You will need a valid driver's license and ID.
Once your profile has been approved by our team, you can search for a car. Enter a location anywhere in Paris and the app will show you all available cars. Of course, you should be aware that all areas near the Seine will be closed for security reasons. You won't be able to drive there. However, you can park your rental car nearby.
Getting to the Olympic Opening Ceremony by public transportation
Public transportation during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games will be severely impacted. French Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin announced that the government expects more than 300,000 spectators to attend the ceremony.
The Métro is likely to be packed. However, the closest stations are Gare d'Austerlitz and Quai de la Rapée, line 5 for the departure of the parade, and Trocadéro lines 6 and 9 for the end of the ceremony.
You now have all the important information about the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. The ceremony promises to be spectacular and unforgettable!
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