You’ll definitely be saying “oui” to free once you’ve blown your travel budget on once-in-a-lifetime tickets to the Paris Olympics. I know I am! Don’t worry – this list of free events at the Paris Olympics 2024 might just give you the Olympic experience without grandiose prices.
It’s not too late to book your last minute trip to see the Olympics. I just did all the research and booked ours at the end of June. As a travel advisor who is already doing all the research, I’d be happy to help you plan an amazing trip. Hotels have actually gotten cheaper and tickets are still available! Contact me so we can get started right away.
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Be a Fanatic at a Free Fan Zone
- Where? Throughout the city
- When? Throughout the games duration
“Fan zones” throughout the city will be some of the best free events at the Paris Olympics 2024, from sporting events (a climbing wall!) to live screens, I’m sure there will be plenty to stay busy:
- The Square Léon Serpollet in the 18th arrondissement will cater toward younger Olympic-goers (i.e. my little ones!)
- Celebrate French athletes all day from 10am at Club France in Parc de la Villette (this may be 5 euro now)
- I also saw a decathlon playground on the map at Parc de la Villette! Start training now!
- Check out the fan zone La Terrace de Jeux at Hotel de Villa (city hall) with live screens, sport activities, a climbing wall and more
Don’t Miss Le Parc des Jeux
- Where? Georges-Valbon Departmental Park in La Courneuve
- When? July 25 – August 11 and September 6-8 from 2pm-10pm and until midnight during the “8 exceptional evenings”
This will be the ULTIMATE fan zone and probably one of the best free events at the Paris Olympics. The huge outdoor space has the capacity to hold up to 10,000 people, and I imagine that’s about how many will be there!
Here you can catch free sports activities, concerts, and cultural performances. I even saw a circus act on the list?!
The Parc des Jeux will be open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., with a varied catering offer and childcare services at the end of the day to allow everyone to fully enjoy the festivities.
~ From the Parc des Jeux website itself
Wait, did someone say “childcare services”?! Merci beaucoup Paris!!
Side note: If you’re heading to the Olympics with little ones, you might want to put a tracker like an AirTag, or have them wear a backpack with a leash attached to you for safety. It’s hard enough looking after wild little ones, I can’t image in these crowds. My travel gear post has these and more helpful travel essentials.
If you want to just chill, you can sit and watch live Olympic events on the giant screen. Are you getting as excited as I am?!
Don’t forget that some metro stations will be closed during the Paris Olympics, so check the website and plan accordingly.
Cheer for the Champions
- Where? Trocadero
- When? 4-11:30pm between July 29-August 10
Catch the previous day’s winners at Champions Park in Trocadero. This open space with live screens will be open to nearly 15,000 crazy spectators, and I’ll be one of them.
Side note: keep your belongings close and in front of you to lower your chances of being a victim of theft. Fanny packs are in now! This checkered one is super cute, light, and can be worn at the hip or front of your chest. Wear a front facing cross-body slingbag or purse, like one of these cute ones on my Amazon storefront.
Make Yourself at Home at a “House”
- Where? Throughout the city, many are around Parc de la Villette
- When? During the games
Many countries have their own “hospitality house”. Some are free and some charge a fee (ya thanks USA, the most expensive one, by far). I’d recommend reserving in advance for popular ones that charge a fee, like Team GB House (150 euro and up) and Belgium House (15 to 25 euros).
It’s completely acceptable to visit these even if you aren’t from that country. Soak up the culture and Olympic excitement, all in one place!
A few free ones include Casa Brasil, Danish Pavilion, New Zealand House, and Serbia House (all subject to change).
Race to the Triathlon
- Where? Pont Alexandre III, Paris
- When? Men’s individual July 30, women’s individual July 31, and mixed relay August 5
Find a spot on the triathlon route and prepare to be amazed. How do they do it?!?
Don’t Blink at the Road Cycling
- Where? Between Paris and Versailles
- When? Time trial July 27, men’s August 3, women’s August 4
I imagine these cyclists will be goin’ so fast you’d better not blink, or you just might miss them.
Spectators can watch cyclists along the route for free (except the start and finish lines).
Make Your Way to the Marathon
- Where? Between Paris and Versailles
- When? Men’s August 10, women’s August 11
Yet another free event for all spectators.
Only I wish I wasn’t just a spectator. I just read there will be a Marathon Pour Tous (marathon for all) and 10k, for the public. Darnit! It’s too late for a bib. Who am I kidding… I can’t run that far, especially after all the chocolate crepes I plan on eating.
This will be the first Olympics in which the games will end with the women’s marathon, not the men’s. You can find all the details on the route here. Get it girls…
Gaze at the Tower Glow
- Where? Pretty much anywhere, just look up (or check out my list of preferred spots, coming soon)
- When? At the start of every hour after dusk
Ok so this isn’t exactly an Olympic-related event, but it could be? Who knows what they have planned! Catch a (free) light show by the “Iron Lady” herself, at the start of every hour after dusk or sunset. It lasts for about 5 minutes, so be ready.
This architectural masterpiece is visible from throughout the city, but for some of the best views, read my post coming soon – “The Best Places to See the Eiffel Tour Light Show”.
We opted for sunset views from a distance during our first trip there with the little one:
If traveling with kids, read my other post on fun (and free) things to do with kids in Paris during the Olympics . The hardest part is actually getting to all of these things!! Use that metro!
If you’re still trying to get tickets to go up the tower (and any other Parisian sightseeing), contact me in case I have a discount code on Viator for my clients.
Want real time updates of free events at Paris Olympics 2024 and other Paris-related deets? We will be there at the start of it all, so follow my Instagram page for insider tips.
And let the games begin…
