Over the previous few weeks, because the stands, fan zones, and different non permanent Olympic websites are being erected across the metropolis, I’ve been getting a number of questions on what roads are open to taxis, whether or not cyclists can nonetheless entry the quays, if any garden on the Champs de Mars continues to be open for picnics…right here’s the lowdown, with some images taken throughout my bike experience round city on Sunday.
Spoiler Alert: We’re All a Bit Confused!
This text goals to let you understand what elements of town are closed off or closely restricted in these ultimate weeks main as much as the 2024 Paris Video games, through the Olympic and Paralympic occasions, and afterwards as the whole lot is packed up (based mostly on Metropolis Corridor’s official information).
I’m primarily centered on how fashionable areas of central Paris are affected, such because the quays and bridges of the Seine, the Champ de Mars (Eiffel Tower), Trocadero, the Esplanade des Invalides, the Champs-Elysées, and Place de la Concorde. The official record of ALL areas affected by the Olympics and the safety perimeters round them will be discovered right here.
To be sincere, it’s complicated even for these of us dwelling right here, studying every day updates within the native French information, and attempting to get round city by way of bike, metro, bus and automotive. On prime of that, day by day we appear to be getting new info from “official” sources (Public Transport Authority, Metropolis Corridor, Olympic Committee), which in greatest instances clarifies issues for us (like coloration coded maps) or in worst instances modifications what was beforehand written (just like the dates for metro station closures), leading to a number of conflicting reviews within the press.
I’m doing my greatest to replace something written on Secrets and techniques of Paris in actual time, so if you happen to see something that appears incorrect, contradictory, or refuted by one other supply, please don’t hesitate to let me know!
Round Trocadéro
The stands of the “Parc des Champions” (free fan zone open to the general public July 29-August 10th) have been arrange on the foot of the Jardins du Trocadéro, the gardens between the Place du Trocadéro and the Pont d’Iéna (which is the bridge on the foot of the Eiffel Tower), for spectator seating for the marathon, biking, and Seine swim occasions. It appears to be like like they’ve truly lined over the fountains for the event. Listed here are two of the official images displaying what it appears to be like like in each instructions:
From July 1 by way of September nineteenth, the Jardins du Trocadéro are closed to all pedestrians, bicycles and autos. This additionally consists of the Avenue Albert-de-Mun and the south aspect of Avenue Wilson (between Albert-de-Mun and Place d’Iéna). Site visitors on the Avenue des Nations Unies has already been closed to all visitors and pedestrians since Might 31st.
Pedestrians coming from the Place du Trocadéro (and Esplanade des Droits de l’Homme) will probably be redirected to the east and west of the gardens to succeed in the Voie Georges Pompidou (the expressway alongside the Seine) and the Iéna bridge.
On July sixteenth, your entire Place du Trocadéro and Pont d’Iéna bridge will probably be closed to visitors, pedestrians, and bikes.
From July 22-26, the Pont d’Iéna can be utterly closed to visitors, pedestrians, and bikes. Interruptions on the bridge will proceed by way of August 12th, though it appears to solely have an effect on autos as soon as the Opening Ceremony has handed. In the event you completely should get to the opposite aspect of the Seine from Trocadéro to the Eiffel Tower (or the Olympic occasions on the Champ de Mars) at a particular time, attempt to give your self some additional time to get there in case you find yourself having to stroll all the best way to Pont Alma to cross (within the meantime I’ll attempt to discover affirmation about pedestrian entry after July Twenty sixth).
Every thing will probably be again to “regular” by October 8th (!!!), however in case you are at Trocadéro throughout any of the intervals talked about above and have reserved timeslot tickets for the Eiffel Tower (or an Olympic occasion on the Champ de Mars, as talked about beneath), you’ll have to consider the way you’ll get throughout the Seine and the additional time it could take.
Additionally notice that the 2 museums on the Place du Trocadéro’s Esplanade des Droits de l’Homme (Cité de l’Structure and the Musée Nationwide de la Marine) are partially open through the Olympics, so be sure to have bought your ticket upfront on their web site, and to be sure to enable sufficient time to get your Go Jeux QR code if you happen to’re visiting from July 18-26.
Across the Champ-de-Mars & Eiffel Tower
The Champ de Mars regulation in entrance of the Eiffel Tower has two Olympic websites, the non permanent “Stade Tour Eiffel” (Eiffel Tower Stadium) for the seaside volleyball and paralympic soccer matches, arrange the place the Avenue Joseph-Boulard crosses the Champ de Mars (formally known as Place Jacques-Rueff). The Grand Palais Ephémère on the far finish of the park, simply throughout from the Ecole Militaire at Place Joffre, can be being reworked into the Champ de Mars Area to host the judo and wrestling occasions.
Right here’s the official picture of what it is going to appear to be as soon as utterly arrange (taken from the Eiffel Tower):
Closed to all visitors and pedestrians since June 26th, the Champ de Mars has already been progressively minimize off to visitors for setup between March and the tip of June. Don’t anticipate to have the ability to picnic there anytime earlier than October 7th, with the continued dismantling of the non permanent stadium potential by way of November 4th.
Right here’s what the Champ de Mars appears to be like like at this time if you happen to’re strolling alongside the alleys to the south (on the suitable within the picture above):
Visiting the Eiffel Tower
Now you can buy tickets on-line for all visits by way of August eleventh, apart from distinctive closures on July 14th for Bastille Day, the morning of July fifteenth, and the Olympics Opening Ceremony on July 26th.
From July 18th-Twenty fifth, you completely should have a reservation to have the ability to entry the positioning. To complicate issues, there are two choices: buy your timed ticket on-line as standard to go to the Eiffel Tower, or reserve a free timed ticket to entry the ticket workplace on the Eiffel Tower (the place you’d then be capable of buy your tickets for the go to, so long as there are nonetheless areas left). The second possibility is mainly an “possibility to purchase” for many who don’t wish to decide to pre-purchasing their tickets. Usually you would roll as much as the ticket counter any given day and simply see what’s accessible on the final minute (I like to recommend going later within the night, as there’s often no line in any respect after 8pm). However for the reason that safety is excessive throughout this time, you want the pre-reserved “entry ticket” to even get to the ticket counter. It kinda removes the entire level of permitting for last-minute flexibility (and in addition doesn’t assure there will probably be any spots left), however at the very least if you happen to change your thoughts you haven’t already shelled out for a paid ticket.
Verify the official Eiffel Tower web site for more information: https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/information/go to/visiting-eiffel-tower-and-during-olympic-games
From July Twenty seventh-August eleventh, you should buy tickets on-line or on the ticket counter as standard. The Eiffel Tower is open throughout its standard summer season hours.
Caveat Emptor! I often advocate tickets be bought straight by way of the Eiffel Tower web site, since ALL pre-purchased tickets for a particular time slot are “Skip the Line”, I don’t see the purpose in paying twice or thrice that worth to have an underpaid information spout off a bunch of generic anecdotes (you’ll be able to learn them in your cellphone whereas ready for the elevator, a wait you’d nonetheless should endure even with a tour information). This summer season I feel that is doubly vital to solely buy by way of the official web site since there are such a lot of unknowns surrounding the Olympics, I feel introducing a third-party tour firm into the combo simply appears to be a recipe for catastrophe.
July 14th Bastille Day Fireworks & Live performance
There will probably be fireworks from the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro Gardens at 11pm on July 14th for the Fête Nationale, however due to the Olympics setup on the Champ-de-Mars and Trocadéro Gardens, you’ll have to observe from one other vantage level in Paris that has a view of the Eiffel Tower (there are various, such because the Carrousel Gardens on the Louvre). The symphonic live performance that often takes place below the Eiffel Tower will as an alternative be in entrance of the Hôtel de Ville from 9pm, the place the Olympic Flame will probably be lit. Each will be watched totally free on French TV channel France 2 (or on-line at https://www.france.television/france-2/ if you happen to’re in France).
Round Place de la Concorde and Tuileries
The non permanent stadium on the Place de la Concorde will host a number of Olympic occasions, together with breakdancing, skateboarding, BMX bikes, and three×3 basketball. Right here’s the official picture of what it appears to be like like from afar, the place you’ll be able to see the Luxor Obelisk on the middle (and in addition the bleachers already arrange on the Alexander III Bridge with the golden statues):
It has been progressively minimize off from automobile visitors for the reason that spring, though pedestrians and cyclists can nonetheless undergo the north finish of it (from the Rue de Rivoli to the Champs Elysées by way of Avenue Gabriel), so the Hôtel de la Marine, the Cordon Bleu Cooking College, and the Crillion Hôtel are accessible. Rue Royal resulting in Madeleine and the Concorde Bridge (entry to Cours la Reine) stay open. The doorway to the Tuileries Gardens is closed alongside the Place de la Concorde and from the Jardin du Carrousel, however there’s a brief pedestrian “bridge” accessible on Rue de Rivoli throughout from Rue Castiglione, and on the Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor (the footbridge to the Musée d’Orsay).
Can you continue to stroll by way of Tuileries Gardens? By July twelfth, solely the primary alley operating by way of the Jardin des Tuileries and the east (Louvre) finish of the alley closest to the river are accessible. From July thirteenth till August eleventh your entire Tuileries Gardens will probably be closed (thus the “bridge” to go to the Orangerie). The Jardin du Carrousel (the ungated gardens nearer to the Louvre) stay open all summer season.
Listed here are a few of my images (click on to see full measurement) and a graphic:
When you’ve got reserved tickets for the Musée de l’Orangerie (required July 14th-September 1st, and really useful earlier than then), you’ll see the indicators pointing to it from each entrances. The Jeu de Paume is closed till September twenty eighth.
Place de la Concorde will begin reopening to common visitors September 7, and will probably be utterly open by October 30th.
Across the Grand Palais & Alexandre-III Bridge
The Grand Palais on the Champs Elysées has been closed the previous 4 years for intensive renovations, however will probably be reopening to host the fencing and taekwondo occasions through the Olympic and Paralympic Video games. The Alexandre-III bridge will host the biking, triathlon and marathon swimming occasions of the Olympic Video games, and the para triathlon occasions of the Paralympic Video games.
The realm across the Grand Palais is partially blocked on the west aspect, however Avenue Winston Churchill (the road operating between it and the Petit Palais) is at present open to pedestrians. Entry to the Petit Palais Superb Arts Museum is open right here, and proper subsequent door is the newly erected boutique for official Paris 2024 Olympics souvenirs (most of them made in China, sigh), on the nook of the Avenue des Champs Elysées and the Avenue Winston Churchill. Listed here are a few of my images from yesterday:
Observe: the closest metro station, Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau (Strains 1 and 13), is closed July 20-September 8th. The close by Franklin D. Roosevelt metro station (Line 9) will stay open all summer season.
The Alexandre-III Bridge nonetheless has a slender space for pedestrians to cross (and I did experience my bike alongside there, though I’m undecided I used to be speculated to, lol!), however the huge stands are already arrange on 90% of the bridge. This will probably be utterly closed to anybody with out a ticket through the Opening Ceremony and the week main as much as it July 18-26), and reopen utterly to all visitors September 20th.
The Esplanade des Invalides
The large garden of the Esplanade des Invalides will probably be internet hosting the archery occasions and stands for the street biking races. The lawns are utterly closed off to the general public, in addition to all the roads that cross it (Avenue Gallieni between Quai d’Orsay and Rue de Grenelle, Rue Saint Dominique and Rue de l’Université between Rue Fabert and Rue Constantine). That is what it appears to be like like in the mean time (my again is to the Seine):
The reopening of the aspect streets and esplanade at Invalides will start September 18th and be utterly completed by the tip of October. You possibly can enter the Musée de l’Armée and Napoléon’s Tomb at Invalides from Place Vauban or Rue de Grenelle.
The Bridges and Quays of the Seine
Probably the one actually annoying closure (at the very least for these of us with out vehicles) is the closure of the quays alongside the Seine to arrange the Opening Ceremony bleachers. As a result of now that it’s good out, that’s prime apéro actual property! Listed here are some images from Sunday of Parisians nonetheless having fun with a few of the quays as preparations for the Opening Ceremony start (click on to see full measurement):
Each will probably be utterly closed to anybody with out a QR code from July 18th by way of July 26th, from the Pont d’Austerlitz to the Pont d’Iéna, on each the Left Financial institution and Proper Financial institution. There may also be some disruptions and closures earlier than to get the whole lot arrange.
Some Vocabulary
The Decrease Quays (quais bas) are those proper alongside the river, no vehicles are down there, however there are a number of péniche bars. The Higher Quays (quais hauts) are the street-level sidewalks, like the place the bouquiniste guide sellers are arrange. And ponts are the bridges.
The next bridges will probably be open always to pedestrian and bicycle visitors all through the summer season (apart from a half hour earlier than and through the Opening Ceremony), and the Go Jeux QR code gained’t be crucial:
- Pont des Invalides
- Léopold-Sédar-Senghor footbridge (pedestrians solely, connecting the Orsay and the Tuileries, pictured beneath)
- Pont Notre-Dame and Petit-Pont Cardinal-Lustiger (just one method for bikes, from Proper Financial institution to Left Financial institution)
- Pont de Sully
Day-by-Day Maps of Open Quays and Bridges
To make it tremendous straightforward to grasp which quays and bridges are accessible or not on a given day from July 1st by way of 26th, Paris Metropolis Corridor made a bunch of visuals for us (click right here if you wish to obtain the full-sized photographs in a PDF), scroll proper to see every date:
Colour codes:
Gray = unaffected
Inexperienced = partially impacted, however open to circulation for everybody
Yellow = partially impacted by closures, however open evenings and weekends
Pink = utterly closed apart from residents and institution receiving the general public
Beginning July 27th, non permanent buildings will probably be partially dismantled permitting partial entry, however could final just a few weeks for full entry.
For Cyclists
Formally talking, the cycle routes alongside the Seine and the middle of Paris and Trocadéro will probably be interrupted or modified from June 27th till October. A bit like biking in Paris pre-2019.😉 Remember to use the Géovélo app for one of the best itinerary recommendation throughout this time.
Listed here are the primary deviations within the middle of Paris:
- The Berges de la Seine (decrease quays that was once expressways) are closed to cyclists on the Left Financial institution between Pont d’Iéna and Pont Royal (mainly the Eiffel Tower till the Musée d’Orsay), and on the Proper Financial institution between the Pont Louis Philipe (Marais) and the Senghor footbridge (Tuileries), together with the Tuileries tunnel.
- The Proper Financial institution Cours la Reine and the bike path alongside the Seine on each banks from the Pont des Invalides to the Debilly footbridge are additionally closed, however there are supposedly indicators displaying a deviation for cyclists, don’t experience your bike on the expressway!
- The 2-way cycle path on the Left Financial institution higher quays will probably be closed between the Pont de la Concorde and the Pont Royal. Bicycles will probably be prohibited towards the movement of visitors (in the direction of St-Michel) on this part, with a diversion by way of rue de Lille and rue de Beaune (yesterday I noticed the indicators already painted on the road displaying this deviation).
- The next bridges will probably be open always to bicycle visitors all through the summer season (apart from a half hour earlier than and through the Opening Ceremony), and the Go Jeux QR code gained’t be crucial: Pont des Invalides; Pont Notre-Dame and Petit-Pont Cardinal-Lustiger (just one method, from Proper Financial institution to Left Financial institution); and Pont de Sully.
- Within the week main as much as the Opening Ceremony, July 18-Twenty sixth, ALL of the bike lanes alongside the higher quays on each banks of the Seine are closed to cyclists between Pont Bir Hakeim et le Pont d’Austerlitz. This information “appeared” on July fifteenth, so a little bit of a shock, as now the bikes are going to be driving with the vehicles once more? Watch out on the market…
I rode my bike round Paris from the Pont d’Austerlitz to the Place de la Concorde, crossed the Pont Alexandre III and again alongside the higher quay bike paths. In the event you’re driving in the direction of Concorde alongside Rue de Rivoli, you’ll begin seeing indicators for bicycle owner deviations while you attain the Louvre. Essentially the most sophisticated space is round Place de la Concorde and Pont Alexandre III, however if you happen to’re going to the Champs Elysées simply observe Avenue Gabriel then down Avenue de Marigny, as proven within the fifth picture beneath:
Fines for Biking in Olympic Lanes
Observe that some bike and bus lanes proper across the Tuileries, alongside the Proper Financial institution Quays, right down to the Ecole Militaire and as much as Arc de Triomphe which were modified to Olympic Lanes (Les Voies Olympiques), the place bikes are NOT allowed (you’ll get a €165 high-quality if caught). They’re designated by “Paris 2024” as seen within the 4th picture above alongside Rue de Rivoli, and by the gray traces proven within the Anticiper les Jeux web site interactive map beneath (the pink “Itinéraires Olympiques” are open to everybody, they’re simply the primary routes between venues):
I truly rode my bike down the Avenue Winston Churchill (proper previous the police filter on the Champs Elysées) after which throughout the Pont Alexandre III (slowly, as a result of it’s clearly simply speculated to be for pedestrians now). They may in all probability finally begin implementing the bicycle owner deviation to the Pont des Invalides. This being Paris, cyclists will go wherever nobody (or factor) bodily prevents them from going (however once more, from the 18th you could get fined!)
Sorry, I didn’t even try to cycle to Trocadéro from the 13th arrondissement, an excessive amount of hill for my leg-powered Dutch bike (possibly subsequent week). The deviations there appear fairly simple, although, as proven on this graphic:
I observed there have been a number of newly painted bike path markers as talked about above, which can present the deviations. When doubtful, particularly if there are two conflicting bike instructions, observe the one that appears freshly painted! 😉
I summarized this biking data from the official web page right here (warning: the English model isn’t updated): https://www.paris.fr/pages/des-circulations-velo-modifiees-pour-l-organisation-des-jeux-26937
Olympics Q&A Periods with Heather
Nonetheless confused? Turn into a Secrets and techniques of Paris Neighborhood Member to entry the Paris Olympics Q&As article and be part of Heather’s weekly Olympics Q&As by way of Zoom beginning July 10th!
