The 11 Paris 2024 Olympic Games venues so iconic, they might steal the show

Paris 2024 sports: Athletics, Rugby Sevens

Capacity: 77,083

Arguably France’s most well-known stadium and definitely its largest, Stade de France was built to host the 1998 men’s FIFA World Cup.

And it has served its purpose well, hosting multiple games, including the nail-biting match where Les Bleus famously won its first world championship against Brazil.

Paris 2024 sports: Tennis, Boxing

Capacity: 34,000

Roland-Garros Stadium has hosted the French Open for nearly a century.

The legendary sports complex, named in memory of French aviator Roland Garros, spans more than 12 hectares dotted with 18 clay courts.

Paris 2024 sports: Football

Capacity: 67,394

The Stade Vélodrome, also known as the Orange Velodrome, was originally built for cycling events. But it has since evolved to host various sports and significant events. 

Built in 1937, the stadium has hosted memorable sporting events, including the 1938 and 1998 Football World Cups and the 2016 European Football Championships.

Paris 2024 sports: BMX Freestyle, Skateboarding, Breaking, 3X3 Basketball

Capacity: 30,000

Place de la Concorde is one of the largest and most famous public squares in Paris. Filled with rich history, the Place once served as a central stage for the French Revolution. 

And it’s also held some of the nation’s biggest festivities like the victorious celebration at the end of World War I, the Liberation of Paris in World War II and even the French men’s national team taking home the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Paris 2024 sports: Football

Capacity: 47,926

This impressive stadium was designed by architect Roger Taillibert who also lays claim to Montreal’s Olympic Stadium. 

The ‘Parc’ was built back in 1972 and has been the home of football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. With regular upkeep, the stadium shines as brightly today as it did back then.

Paris 2024 sports: Fencing, Taekwondo

Capacity: 8,000

The Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, more commonly known as simply the Grand Palais, stuns with its incredible nave and glass roof in the heart of Paris. 

The iconic complex, which is listed as a historic monument by the French Ministry of Culture, wears many hats. Today it serves as a museum, art gallery, exhibition and concert hall as well as a sports venue, on occasion. 

Paris 2024 sports: Equestrian, Modern Pentathlon

Capacity: upwards of 40,000, depending on the event

The previous home to the court of King Louis XIV, The Château de Versailles was the first French site to ever be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. 

Also known as the Palace of Versailles in English, the site will see a temporary outdoor arena erected in the heart of the Palace’s gardens, which will stage the dressage, eventing cross country and jumping competitions. The modern pentathlon events, except for the fencing ranking rounds, will also take place here.

Paris 2024 sports: Beach Volleyball, Judo, Wrestling

Capacity: 8,356

While you might not have known its name, you’ve definitely seen this stunning greenspace before. Nestled between the Eiffel Tower on one side and the École Militaire to the other, The Champ de Mars lawns have traditionally been used as drilling and marching grounds by the French military.

The Champ de Mars Arena is a temporary structure that has been built solely for the Olympic Games and will stage the judo and wrestling competitions. However, it’s the volleyball players and spectators that will have a hard time focusing – they’ll be going for gold in the open air right beside the iconic Eiffel Tower. 

Paris 2024 sports: Archery

Capacity: 8,000

A sprawling green space in the heart of Paris, the Esplanade des Invalides offers a stunning view of the majestic Hôtel des Invalides – a complex of buildings that nod to France’s military history.

During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, this famous site will not only host the archery competition, but it will also serve as the finish line of a marathon.

Paris 2024 sports: Surfing

Capacity: 600

A village on the coast of Tahiti, Teahupo’o is famous for having the most amazing waves for surfing. It might seem unusual that part of the Olympic Games would be held here, but the reason why is actually pretty sound.

Teahupo’o is an island in French Polynesia. And one of Paris 2024’s goals was to spread the Games across France and engage French overseas territories and communities in the Olympics. Mission accomplished.

Paris 2024 sports: Hockey

Capacity: 15,000

First opened in 1907, the stadium was the primary arena for the Olympic Games in 1924. It did it all, hosting the athletics, cycling, horse riding, gymnastics, tennis, football, rugby and pentathlon events with ease. 

But that’s not the stadium’s only claim to fame. It also hosted the final of the 1938 FIFA World Cup where Italy beat Hungary, winning its second world title.