As the Paralympics kicks off in Paris, many of the same venues used a few weeks prior for the Olympics are back in action.
How early should you actually get to the venue? How do I know I’m at the right entrance? We answer all those questions and more based off our time at the Olympics. We didn’t make it to every venue, but for those we did, you’ll find the inside scoop below.
For starters, if you are attending the Paralympics, make sure you download the Paris 2024 Tickets app and the Paris 2024 Transport Public app – these will give you not only the best route to the venue from wherever you are, but it will also show you where the entrances listed on your ticket are on a map of the venue.
Arena Bercy
Paralympics: Wheelchair Basketball
Olympics: Artistic Gymnastics, Basketball, Trampoline
Arena Bercy is located southeast of the Eiffel Tower, on the other side of the Seine River. We arrived at Entrance 1 (on the southeast side of the building) two hours before the event and found the line to get through security quite light.
However, because the doors to the arena didn’t open until an hour and a half before the event’s start time, we congregated outside. Once the doors opened, it was easy to get to our seats, and we had plenty of time to walk around to get drinks and use the restroom.
This is one of the few arenas that have the Olympic rings in front of it, so if you want to wait in line to take a photo with them, two hours ahead of the start time is still plenty for you to get your photo and find your seats, but you can always budget more time if you’d feel more comfortable. When the event finishes, the large crowds make it difficult to stop and take a photo on the way out (plus, there will be too many people in it) – be sure to get the photo before the event begins.
Because Arena Bercy is in the 12th arrondissement and a bit of a commute from the center of Paris, we stopped at the Bibliothéque Nationale de France, or France’s National Library, first and walked from there. While you need a library card to gain access to the books, it’s free to enter the building, where you’ll find two beautifully painted (and huge) globes gifted to King Louis XIV in 1681 and a long hallway with an exhibit about women’s history in the Olympics.
Arena Porte de La Chapelle
Paralympics: Para Badminton, Para Powerlifting
Olympics: Badminton, Rhythmic Gymnastics
The Arena Porte de La Chapelle is northeast of the Eiffel Tower in the 18th arrondissement. It’s also known as the Adidas Arena and is a regular host of sporting events in Paris. Arriving the recommended hour and a half early to this venue is also more than enough time to find your seat and your refreshments.
When you enter Entrance 1 – the only entrance to this arena – you’ll see a courtyard set up with activities for all ages, including some mini badminton courts for kids. There is another set of Olympic rings here as well for photos, so there’s no harm getting here even earlier if you’d like to partake in the courtyard fun.
From the Arena Porte de La Chappelle, it’s an easy subway or Uber ride to the Parc de Nations at La Villette – something you won’t want to miss. We share more about that experience below.
Chateau de Versailles
Paralympics: Para Equestrian
Olympics: Equestrian, Modern Pentathlon
The Chateau de Versailles is an incredible venue, but it does take extra planning and time to get there. It is almost due west of Paris. During the Para Equestrian event, the palace and gardens are likely to be closed, so you can walk, bike or take a bus to a couple different entrances just outside the chateau.
Whether you take the subway, bus or an Uber to Versailles, the best drop-off place is the Versailles-Chantiers train station/stop. From there, you can walk a block to catch a bus to either Entrance 4 or 7, or you can walk or bike directly to the venue.
The walk to Entrance 4 took about 50 minutes from the train station, and you get to walk along horse pastures under a tree-lined walkway. The shade feels even better on your way back after a long day in the sun. The volunteers have set up a gated area for bikes outside this entrance as well.
Because you’re directly in the sun for potentially 8 hours, be sure to frequently fill up your water bottles and cups. The bathrooms also run out of toilet paper, so it’s not a bad idea to bring your own – when you first arrive at Entrance 4, you’ll notice porta potties; walking past them will bring you to nicer bathrooms closer to the venue. Lastly, bring hats, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.
During the Equestrian event, they gave spectators an hour-long break to cool off and sit along the Grand Canal – while you can purchase food at the venue, the lines were some of the longest we saw at the Olympics, so it’s a good idea to pack lunch. If you’re looking for souvenirs, it’s better to get them earlier in the day when you first arrive, but remember you’ll be carrying them back with you however you came!
If you’re planning to eat a delicious meal after the event, Versailles has the cutest street of restaurants. Go to Jeanne – BléNoir on Rue de Satory for some of the best crepes you’ve ever had.
Lastly, if you were planning to see the inside of the Chateau de Versailles on the day you were traveling to this event, the palace and gardens are likely closed (and you wouldn’t have time anyways with the length of the event). Come a day early to enjoy the town and the palace, and you’ll also have a better idea of where you’ll need to go the next day.
Looking back on our trip to the Olympics, we would have rather stayed in Versailles despite it being further from other venues. It’s the idyllic European town and much quieter and cleaner than Paris.
Parc de Princes
Paralympics: N/A
Olympics: Football
While no Paralympic events are planned at the Parc de Princes, this was one of the more hectic arenas we experienced, with three separate security searches (compared to everyone else’s one). Between finding the correct entrance and waiting for everyone to be searched – some with full-body pat-downs – we still managed to find our seats five minutes before kickoff. We arrived about an hour ahead of the event’s start time.
Paris La Défense Arena
Paralympics: Para Swimming
Olympics: Swimming, Water Polo
With popularity comes long lines, but the lines at the Paris de La Défense Arena were some of the most efficient lines I had ever seen. We recommend taking the subway here because where you exit from underground is likely where the line will begin – a solid 10-minute walk from the actual entrance (Entrance 2/3 for the general public).
If you’re coming from the western side of the arena, remember not to panic as you make your way out past the Grande Arche de La Défense. Enjoy the arch, and if you arrived at the venue an hour and a half before the event, you’ll be in the shade of Entrance 2/3 and in the actual arena before you know it.
Stade de France
Paralympics: Para Athletics, Paralympic Closing Ceremony
Olympics: Athletics, Rugby Sevens
Stade de France is another stadium where you see people taking the long way in – ask the guards where to go and trust the process. If you take the metro in, you’ll pop up in the right place, though it’s just as easy to walk there from an Uber drop-off.
Again, what seems like a horde of people is actually an efficient system that will have you not only in your seats an hour before the event starts, but also first in line at the beverage stands (a rarity!).
Our pro tip here is if one of the events you’re attending at Stade de France is at the beginning or end of your stay, and you’re flying in or out of the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, save yourself the traffic from the city center and stay near the airport that night; the commute to the arena and/or airport will be much quicker.
Stade Roland-Garros
Paralympics: Wheelchair Tennis
Olympics: Boxing, Tennis
Stade Roland-Garros, the home of the French Open in tennis, is a sight to behold. However, because it is so large – with the main Court Philippe Chatrier stadium and the Court Suzanne-Lenglen being just two of the 16 clay courts in the stadium – it’s a long walk to the correct entrance, and everyone is walking with you in the same direction.
Unlike the rest of the venues, an hour and a half is not enough time for a comfortable arrival through Entrance 12, though it will get you in your seat about a minute before the first match. Give yourself at least two hours to get to your seat, especially if other matches are being played on the open clay courts. Not only will you be tempted to peek to see who’s playing, but so will the rest of the spectators, clogging the way.
The distance you walked to get to Entrance 12 will be repeated heading back east to reach the Court Philippe Chartrier tucked on that side of the property. Thankfully, you can exit just outside of the Court Philippe Chartrier at the end of the event and avoid making the same trek another two times.
Stade Tour Eiffel
Paralympics: Blind Football
Olympics: Beach Volleyball
The Stade Tour Eiffel is a highlight of Paris 2024. With the general public going to Entrance 3, an hour and a half is enough time, but it will feel crowded and like you’re going to be late. Everyone lines up just beside the Eiffel Tower, giving you the best views while you wait. It can get a little hot here as well, especially if your event takes place during the day, so don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Once you get past security, you walk up the Parc du Champ de Mars toward the venue. You’ll find water misters spraying to cool you off and plenty of great angles for photos with the Eiffel Tower.
If you’re going to a night event at the Stade Tour Eiffel, you’ll likely get to see the light show at 10:00pm local time. The Eiffel Tower twinkles with hundreds of lights and is a stunning backdrop to the athletic prowess in front of you. The Eiffel Tower’s light show happens at 10:00pm and 11:00pm every night, and you can even get tickets to be on the Eiffel Tower’s second floor during the light show if you’re not going to an event.
If you’re hoping to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower and couldn’t get ticket reservations online, arrive an hour or so before they open (typically 9:30am local time) and you’ll be near the front of the line to buy tickets and ride the elevator to the top.
You’ll experience the tower and the views without a big crowd. On one side, you’ll see the stadium (where you can enjoy some matches from above) and on the other, you’ll see the Trocadéro, where the Olympics Opening Ceremonies took place.
La Villette – For Fans and Visitors
For those looking to experience a whirlwind of cultures and find community among other fans, there are two must-see places: Parc de Nations and Club France.
Parc de Nations is in La Villette and houses many countries’ cultural experiences. As you walk around La Villette, you’ll see houses set up by:
- Brazil
- Canada
- Colombia
- Czech Republic
- France
- India
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Netherlands
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Taiwan
Most of the houses were free to enter, though some required reservations via QR code. In the houses could be anything from exhibits to shows to activities to foods and beverages local to the country. Enjoy the atmosphere and watch that country’s team compete on big screens. You may also find a few collectors’ pins along the way.
La Villette has other attractions as well, including a Decathlon-themed park where you can test out some of the Athletics and Para Athletics events and even show off your Table Tennis skills.
Club France – or France’s house at the Parc de Nations – is by far the largest house in La Villette. We recommend buying tickets for this experience ahead of time because buying them the day of may lead to you not being able to enter at all.
In Club France, you can explore museums, enjoy programming, watch events with France’s biggest fans and dance the night away with DJs and musicians coming in for concerts at night. Yes, Club France actually turns into a club.
Hopefully the background information on these venues decreases your stress as you head to amazing events at the Paralympics.
