By Anne McCarthy
It’s been a proper whirlwind of excitement leading up to the Summer Olympics in Paris, which run from Friday, July 26, 2024, to Sunday, August 11, 2024. The city is buzzing with festive energy as the Games approach.
If you need some inspiration for where to eat when you’re in Paris for the games, check out our blog article, “Where to Eat in Paris During the Summer 2024 Olympics.” If you’re still working on booking your accommodations for your trip, be sure to check out our blog article, which covers various lodging options, “Best Hotels to Book for Paris 2024 Olympics.” You can find all the important details about the Games in our “Need to Know Facts about 2024 Paris Olympics.”
Now, let’s get down to business and explore some fun options for things to do when you’re not actually enjoying one of the matches, games, or events at the Olympics. Paris is always an exciting place, and it’s extra-exciting during the Olympics. Here are some cool things to do while you’re in between games at the Olympics.
Check out Comedy in Paris
If you’re a comedy fan, you’ll definitely want to book a ticket to a show via Comedy in Paris! Don’t worry if you don’t speak French––Comedy in Paris highlights all the comedy shows in Paris that are in English. So, it’s a great way to get a slice of some English-language comedy while in the City of Light.
There will be tons of shows available here to tickle your funny bone. Check out the Comedy in Paris website to learn more and book your ticket.
Visit Atelier Des Lumières
Paris art center Atelier Des Lumières in the 11th arrondissement features gorgeous and immersive exhibitions. This former steel foundry, which was built in 1835, was refurbished in 2018 and has become an arts center. These digital and immersive experiences are one-of-a-kind and not to be missed! Book your tickets on the website. Current exhibitions include a riveting experience about Egyptian Pharaohs and more.
Address: 38 rue Saint-Maur 75011 Paris
Book at Tour with Fat Tire Tours
Obviously, we’re going to toot our own horn here! Experiencing Paris by bike is truly one of the greatest joys in life, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t encourage you to book a Fat Tire Tours Paris Tour while you’re in town for the Summer Olympics. We have a huge array of tours to choose from, including our Paris Day Bike Tour, our Small Group Eiffel Tower Summit Tour, our mouthwatering Paris Food Tours, and our VIP Emily in Paris Walking Tour.
But if you’re in town for the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, you’ll definitely want to book our Paris Day Bike Tour Limited Olympics Edition! This Olympics-inspired tour will have you soaring through the heart of Paris, and your expert local guide will lead you to the city’s hidden gems, most famous landmarks, and historic sites, and see it all through the lens of the Olympic Games. You’ll also get to experience iconic locations like the Eiffel Tower, the Alexandre III Bridge, the Tuileries Gardens, the Louvre, and many more.
Address: 24 Rue Edgar Faure, 75015 Paris, France
Visit the Orsay Museum & Other Paris Museums That Aren’t the Louvre
Speaking of the Louvre…the Louvre gets lots of love and attention, but there are so many amazing museums to visit in Paris that aren’t the Louvre! Sure, only the Louvre has the “Mona Lisa,” but museums like Musée de l’Orangerie have some of the most incredible Monet paintings on display, and the Musée d’Orsay is known for its impressive collection of Impressionist art. In the Orsay museum, you’ll also find the paintings houses in a truly stunning space: The museum building is a former Beaux-Arts railway station.
The Musée Rodin opened in 1919 and is dedicated to the works of Rodin; it’s a beautiful museum. And at the Centre Pompidou, you’ll find gorgeous works of modern art by artists like Andy Warhol. All this said, if you’re a Louvre-lover and are especially keen to check out the Louvre, our Skip-the-Line Louvre Tour is a great one to book for a more personalized Louvre experience!
Get Out of Paris and Visit the Palace of Versailles
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the Paris crowds during the Olympic Games and want to get out of the city for a bit, head to Versailles. There, you can experience Marie Antoinette’s former home, the Chateaux of Versailles. It’s a truly stunning space, and even more so during the summer, when the sun is shining and flowers are in bloom.
Our ever-popular Versailles Bike Tour is a great way to experience the grounds at Versailles and the chateaux itself. Visiting Versailles via bike and with an expert guide is truly a leveled-up way to immerse yourself in this one-of-a-kind place.
Go Shopping in Some of the Finest Department Stores in the World
At department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps in the 8th arrondissement in Paris, you’ll find some of the finest French products imaginable. If you’re in Paris and love fashion, be sure to visit these two deluxe department stores.
Another good place for shopping is in the Marais district, where you’ll find both high-fashion shops, and more boutique-y finds. (If you’re in the Marais, you may also want to visit the Maison de Victor Hugo and Place des Vosges.)
Paris also has a number of interesting flea markets where you can find fabulous pre-owned finds for a bargain.
Anne McCarthy is the Editor in Chief of the Fat Tire Tours Blog. She is a contributing writer to the BBC, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Variety, Wired, and many more. She splits her time between the U.S. and Europe.
