Skip to main content

Paris Olympics and Paralympics 2024

Paris Olympics
and Paralympics 2024

130 days , 0 hours since the Olympics.
97 days , 0 hours since the Paralympics.

Paris Region inspires and welcomes: success story behind the Paris 2024 Games

Paris 2024 is already drawing to a close! Paris Region has shown its ability to host this major event, with an audience of 3 billion people. It has also achieved its goal of exemplifying its sustainable ambitions and inspiring the world.

 

While the Games were a great success and unanimously acclaimed by the international press, it wasn't just because of the athletic events, it was also because Paris Region was able to showcase its identity, its values and its future. This summer was an opportunity for over 4 million visitors and billions of one-time web, network and screen visitors to discover or rediscover the destination as they'd never seen it before.

 

Let us take you behind the scenes of this transformation, and discover how the Games have served as a springboard for progress and innovation.

 

From Paris Region's commitment to the 2024 Games to the strategic involvement of companies in large-scale projects in several sectors, including construction, mobility, accessibility and technology, these collaborations have transcended the Games and made them the pillars of a sustainable and dynamic future.

 

On this fertile ground, innovation met urban development, and both French and international companies were able to experiment with innovative solutions to enhance the Games experience.

2024 Olympic & Paralympic Sites in Paris Region
Map of the Paris Olympic & Paralympic Games 2024

 

An inspiring, innovative, responsible and attractive Region

The major investments in the Games reflect this inspiring, innovative and responsible vision. With over 240 million euros budgeted for the construction and renovation of various infrastructures, Paris Region has shown its commitment to this major international sporting event. This makes Paris Region the second-largest donor of public funds after the French government.

That said, Paris Region's commitment is not just financial; the region is investing in its future. The world was invited to attend a sporting event, as well as a celebration of the values that define the very essence of Paris Region, a region where dreams converge, and where excellence and creativity can flourish. This summer, 18 sports were represented at a dozen venues in Seine-Saint-Denis, Hauts-de-Seine, Yvelines and Seine-et-Marne.

Responsibility is at the heart of the region's identity, and by hosting the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Paris Region has honored this commitment. Indeed, Europe's largest regional capital, with its 12.5 million inhabitants, is well aware of the importance of sustainable and environmental practices. That's why it anticipated and integrated best practices into the planning and organization of this event. Its ambition is still to be “the best destination”, in the words of its President Valérie Pécresse.

Thanks to environmentally-friendly infrastructures and initiatives to promote social responsibility, Paris Region aims to set new standards for the organization of responsible events. It also wants these standards to have a positive lasting impact on the local population and the international public. The region is particularly keen to promote accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities, in sports of course, as well as in transportation, tourism, training and more.

It has sent a message of confidence and optimism to the whole world, which it will be able to capitalize on in the long term.

The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games were an opportunity to discover and explore Paris Region, the vibrant heart of France, with its exceptional assets: quality of life, innovation, heritage, sportsmanship, entrepreneurship and sustainability.

A unique celebration of the region's unique blend of sports, quality of life, innovation, heritage and sustainability.

The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games experience in Paris Region.

More than just a sporting event, the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris were the catalyst for the transformation of several Paris Region sectors.

 

Inspiration - Combining history, heritage and legacy

As can be seen from the images of the concorde, with break dancing, fencing at the Grand Palais and jumping at the Palace of Versailles, the Games have succeeded in harmoniously blending history and heritage, for this third and exceptional organization of these modern Games, following the 1900 and 1924 editions. 95% of the 2024 Olympic Games were held at existing venues or temporary infrastructures. Famous venues such as the Stade de France, the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, the Parc des Princes and the Eiffel Tower once again witnessed historic moments, blending the present with the legacy of the 1900 and 1924 Olympic Games.

 

All the venues were accessible via public transportation

Hologramme et projections - © Paris 2024 Florian Hulleu

Hologramme et projections - © Paris 2024 Florian Hulleu


Looking ahead, Paris Region has taken bold steps to ensure that today's innovations become tomorrow's sustainable legacy.

And on the eve of the Paralympic Games, Valérie Pécresse unveiled a project called “A metro for all” on Monday August 26, 2024. The President of Paris Region intends to launch a vast project to make the first thirteen lines of the Paris metro accessible to the disabled.

She had pledged to set up a high-performance, environmentally-friendly transportation system for the 2024 Games. Remarkably, all the competition venues were - and still are - accessible via public transportation, and are located no more than 437 yards from a metro stop that visitors can reach from Paris. The Grand Paris Express, a colossal low-carbon infrastructure project, will continue to transform the region for decades to come.

The extension of metro line 11, with 6 new stations and its new, modernized and automated trains, is now in service.

The extension of metro line 14, which has been serving Paris-Orly airport since June 24, was a great success for the many visitors who came to see the games. All this reflects the region's commitment to practical, sustainable transportation solutions. This reflects a desire to offer the best possible experience.

In addition to these developments, 115 miles of lanes have been reserved for environmentally-friendly vehicles in Paris Region, thanks to financial assistance from the French government. The Paris bicycle network was extended with 19 miles of additional lanes, which residents and visitors were able to use for more environmentally-friendly commutes. Moreover, an additional 3,000 Vélib' were put into service during the Games, for sustainable and healthy mobility.

GreenTech/Innovative construction - Building the future

Paris Region is making its commitment to innovative construction and sustainability a reality. Impressively, 95% of the Games' infrastructure was either existing or temporary, which minimized the construction footprint with an emphasis on a responsible approach to the environment.

Inaugurated in February 2024, the L'Île-Saint-Denis Olympic Village was built on a former industrial wasteland. It was designed with materials geared to energy performance.

This village was more than just a residence for athletes; it was a 21st-century eco-district project for its residents. Its residences are a showcase for environmental excellence. Indeed, shops, housing, student residences and community infrastructures will soon replace the Olympic Village.

©Paris2024 - SITES CELEBRATION - CLUB 2024 - PARC GEORGES VALBON

©Paris2024 - SITES CELEBRATION - CLUB 2024 - PARC GEORGES VALBON

 

Paris 2024: a better quality of life through sports, culture and gastronomy

Centered around quality of life, art, culture and gastronomy, the Paris 2024 Games offered an immersive experience at the heart of this dynamic region.

 

Tourism and lifestyle - An invitation to discover iconic buildings and hidden treasures...

With over 4 million visitors welcomed during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games alone, Paris Region is much more than just a host region. This was an opportunity for visitors to embark on a journey to the heart of France's rich culture, gastronomy and art de vivre. From iconic buildings to hidden treasures, the region encourages everyone to explore its distinctive blend of tradition and modernity.

Orchestre symphonique flottant - © Paris 2024 Florian Hulleu

Orchestre symphonique flottant - © Paris 2024 Florian Hulleu



Inclusive culture - A sporting and cultural discipline

At the forefront of inclusivity, the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games featured Breaking, also known as breakdance, on the Games program as an additional sport. By recognizing the international renown of certain new dance practices, particularly those that have emerged in the city of Saint-Denis, the Games embodied the fusion of sports and culture. This inclusiveness was an invitation to communities, artists and fans to get actively involved in the Games' cultural programming.

© Paris 2024 - Journée Olympique 2022.jpg

© Paris 2024 - Journée Olympique 2022

 

Innovations for inclusion

The theme of inclusion was deeply rooted in the nature of Paris 2024, with a commitment to accessibility, innovation and the celebration of diversity. The result lived up to expectations. The press was full of evocative headlines about “the inclusion revolution”, the Paralympic revolution according to Tony Estanguet, chairman of the OCOG.

One of the pillars of Paris 2024 was the importance given to disabled sports, mobility and accessibility. The Games aimed to be a catalyst for change, with the goal of welcoming 350,000 visitors with disabilities to the events. A total of 280,000 Person with a Disability (PWD) or Wheelchair Person (PWP) tickets were made available for the Paris 2024 Games.

In addition to the Games, this ambitious initiative will allow for the acceleration of the project for a region that is accessible to all, paving the way for a more inclusive region. Thanks to its ability to break down barriers, sports can be a powerful force for social integration, by bringing people together around a common passion or a simple moment of shared joy.

The ADP Group, the official (and strategic) partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, leveraged its expertise in the hospitality sector to ensure that the Games were accessible to all. This was a major logistical challenge for the group. This involved preparing the operational management of routes and baggage, implementing infrastructure adaptation studies, and improving platform accessibility.

With almost 90 million passengers a year handled at its two main airports, Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, the ADP Group is a major stakeholder in the sector, and for the Games it demonstrated its commitment to excellence in meeting the special needs of athletes, the Olympic family and spectators from all over the world.

© Paris 2024 - Journée Paralympique.jpg

© Paris 2024 - Journée Paralympique

Inclusiveness and accessibility in transportation

This sense of inclusion also applies to transportation, where the aim is to make mobility accessible to all. Paris Region was the first region to introduce inclusive transportation options for the Games, including reservation services for people with reduced mobility. It aims to create an environment where everyone, whatever their physical abilities, can move around the city without any difficulties, thus guaranteeing equal access to the city and its exciting pace of life.

When it comes to innovative solutions, OMNI, a French start-up, is revolutionizing accessibility with an ingenious invention. Its electric scooter with wheelchair attachment gives people with disabilities an easy, efficient way to get around town. This groundbreaking initiative perfectly illustrates the spirit of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where innovation meets inclusivity.

Choose Paris Region, our services and the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Choose Paris Region is a catalyst for economic growth, innovation and attractiveness. Our main missions are to promote the region's assets, attract international investment, encourage innovation and sustainable development, and support companies who want to set up or expand in Paris Region.

During the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this role was acclaimed by economic and tourist attractiveness stakeholders. International companies recognize the strategic importance of setting up in a region that organizes major events such as the Olympics.

Meanwhile, the establishment of H-Hotels.com in the iconic Tour Pleyel shows just how essential international companies are in contributing to job creation and infrastructure development.

This sometimes represents market opportunities, depending on the sector, and always hospitality networking opportunities. Within the agency, we took advantage of the context to make new contacts and identify opportunities for new setting-up projects.

Among the 4 million visitors who came to the Games, we targeted a tiny proportion.

International companies such as Equinix and H-Hotels.com embody the success made possible by Choose Paris Region. Equinix is committed to environmental sustainability. The company's heat recovery initiative at the Olympic Aquatics Center demonstrates its commitment to innovation and sustainability. Seine-Saint-Denis is also the department with the fewest municipal swimming pools, and therefore the lowest percentage of children who know how to swim. The Olympic and Paralympic Games will address this problem, so there will be positive spin-offs for the population.

Meanwhile, H-Hotels.com's move into the iconic Tour Pleyel shows that international companies are making a major contribution to job creation and infrastructure development.

As in the run-up to and during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Choose Paris Region will continue to provide tailored support for setting up and investment projects in Paris Region. The agency's comprehensive support, which includes recruiting local talent, helping to obtain visas, assisting with legal/logistical formalities, and working with local authorities and service providers, attests to its commitment to the success of forward-looking projects.