Inside The Games takes a closer look at five must-visit sites that will make the Paris 2024 Olympics an unforgettable experience, as the showpiece event gets underway from 26 July until 11 August.

The Eiffel Tower: Iconic beach volleyball venue

The Eiffel Tower, Paris' most iconic landmark, will host one of the Games' most popular events: beach volleyball. A temporary arena will be set up at the base of the "Iron Lady" for this thrilling competition.

Nearby, the Champs de Mars park will serve as the venue for judo and wrestling events. Originally scorned by Parisians when it was unveiled in 1889 for the World Fair, the Eiffel Tower has since become a beloved symbol of the city and a top global tourist attraction, drawing seven million visitors each year. It also functions as a key telecoms hub for radio and TV broadcasts.

As a special memento of the Paris 2024 Games, each Olympic medal will contain a small 18g fragment of original iron from the tower, removed during past renovations and repurposed for the occasion.

Place de la Concorde: Urban sports hub

The historic Place de la Concorde, a grand square at the foot of the Champs-Elysees, will be transformed into an urban sports hub for Paris 2024.

This iconic location will host skateboarding, 3x3 basketball, BMX freestyle, and make its Olympic debut with breakdancing. Situated just across the Seine from the Invalides war museum, where Napoleon is buried, the square offers a dramatic backdrop for these dynamic events.

Despite its serene name, the square has a dark history, during the Reign of Terror in 1793, it was the site of numerous guillotine executions, including those of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.

The largest square in Paris is marked by a magnificent gold obelisk, a gift from Egypt in 1830, originally erected by Ramses II at Luxor.

Grand Palais: Venue for fencing and taekwondo

Fencing and taekwondo events at Paris 2024 will take place in the stunning Grand Palais, a glass-and-steel architectural gem originally built for the 1900 World Fair.

The Grand Palais is renowned for its magnificent glass dome, the largest of its kind in Europe, which encloses a vast 13,500-square-meter exhibition hall.

During World War I, the Grand Palais served as a military hospital, storing its art collection and providing care for soldiers before they returned to the front lines. 

In recent years, the grand space has hosted impressive art installations and even been transformed into the world’s largest ice rink.

Palace of Versailles: Venue for equestrian events and more

At Paris 2024, the magnificent Palace of Versailles will host the dressage and showjumping events, and will also feature on the marathon route. The royal park will serve as the setting for cross-country and pentathlon competitions.

Originally a hunting lodge, King Louis XIV transformed Versailles in the 17th century into the grand residence of French royalty, housing around 10,000 staff members, enough to fill a small town.

The expansive gardens of Versailles include a mile-long canal that once hosted lavish parties complete with sailing gondolas. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, the Palace of Versailles remains a top destination for tourists visiting Paris.

Marseille: Sailing and football hub

Not all events at Paris 2024 will be held in the capital.

The vibrant Mediterranean city of Marseille will host the sailing competitions in the stunning sapphire blue waters off its coast. Over 300 sailors from around the globe will compete at a new marina on the Corniche, one of France’s most picturesque coastal routes.

While the famous mistral wind, which usually blows in winter and spring, is unlikely to influence the races, Marseille will also be the site of 10 football matches during the Games.

Additionally, Marseille marked the beginning of the Olympic torch relay in France on 8 May. The city is also renowned as the home of the Olympique Marseille football team and offers a rich cultural experience for visitors.