Paris – city of light, love, world-famous landmarks, fabulous food and, this summer, the Olympic Games. As the final preparations are being made before the sporting extravaganza kicks off on July 26, I took a trip to soak up the excitement and see what’s in store for supporters. The last Olympics, held in Tokyo in 2021, (postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic) were staged without spectators as Covid restrictions were still in place.
So excitement is riding high here as the city gears up to welcome the world in the most French way possible. While previous host cities saw swathes of new infrastructure specially constructed in preparation for their own Games, Paris is making use of what it has. Of the 38 venues selected to hold the events, just two are being built from scratch, while the rest already exist – even if some of them require a lick of paint before things kick off.
But this means you’ll be watching the likes of volleyball, weightlifting and gymnastics held in some of France’s most iconic landmarks. I got the chance to explore the Grand Palais, which is being prepared to host fencing and taekwondo. Donning a hard hat and hi-vis vest was necessary as work is still taking place at this stunning building, with its distinctive glass domed roof.
One of its three areas will open temporarily for the Games but its doors will reopen to the public next spring, when it will host art exhibitions. This year’s new event is breakdancing. Place de la Concorde, the public square at the end of the Champs Elysees, will make a spectacular venue to showcase this, along with BMX freestyle, skateboarding and 3x3 basketball.
With no shortage of attractions you’re bound to see your fair share just walking between Olympic venues. But it’s worth going out of your way to visit the 17th-century Palace of Versailles, with its Hall of Mirrors and lavish living quarters. This will serve as a majestic backdrop for the pop-up equestrian stadium.
Paris certainly has the skills when it comes to feeding visitors. There are so many classic dishes and if you want to try it all there are some stunning tasting menus on offer. The fabulous cruise boat restaurant Ducasse sur Seine is owned by Michelin-star heavyweight Alain Ducasse, whose brigade of 36 chefs prepare dishes with seasonal produce.
You’ll find it on the quayside of Port Debilly in the swanky 16th arrondissement. Here I indulged in a once-in-a-lifetime, six-course tasting menu while drifting down the River Seine, with the Eiffel Tower reflected on the water. Magnifique! If you prefer a more intimate setting, try Pouliche, a wonderful little bistro on rue d’Enghien.
It’s the brainchild of Amandine Chaignot – one of the chefs involved in designing the Paris 2024 athletes’ menus. She puts together tasting menus, lunches for €30, dinners for €62 and vegetarian Wednesdays, created with the best produce brought to the restaurant each day. Sign up for FREE to Mirror Travel and discover dream escapes, latest travel advice and more JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP: Discover your next dream getaway in the UK or abroad by joining our free Mirror Travel WhatsApp community HERE .
GET THE NEWSLETTER: Or sign up to the Mirror Travel newsletter for a weekly dose of the best holiday deals, travel warnings, expert advice and hidden gems, straight to your inbox. But my Paris favourite was Eclipses 75007 on Rue de Beaune. Set in a basement room kept cool to ensure the vast quantities of wine stored there keep their signature flavours, it too offers a tasting menu, featuring smoked celeriac mash, seafood and perhaps the most delicious carrots I’ve ever eaten.
These gourmet restaurants will set you back a fair amount, but if you want to do things the French way, I can’t recommend them enough. After a long hard day of watching elite athletes push their bodies to the limit, you’ll need somewhere to rest your weary head. Stay in style at Hotel Plaza Athenée on Avenue Montaigne, with many of its luxury rooms offering Eiffel Tower views.
The lavish art-deco building has a spa designed in partnership with Dior, a dazzling bar and Michelin-star food by executive chef Jean Imbert, so don’t be surprised if you see the odd celebrity wandering the hotel’s halls. After my sweep of Paris, I took a detour to Lille, which will see its fair share of visitors as it hosts the handball and basketball events. Up near the Belgian border, and a bit of a hidden gem, this former Flemish town is a hit with youngsters thanks to its nine universities, array of quality art galleries and museums and buzzing bar scene.
The town’s handsome Place du Général-de-Gaulle is packed with 17th century architecture and there is a charming book market in the Old Stock Exchange every day. One of the most fascinating must-sees is La Piscine Roubaix, a former public bath that now serves as an eclectic museum with work by the likes of Picasso as well as local artists. It even has a decorative water feature where a swimming pool used to be.
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After exploring the city and admiring all its beautiful attractions, you’ll deserve a cool drink. That’s where Brasserie Moulins d’Ascq comes in. Founded in 1999, this is one of France’s top organic breweries and serves more beers than I could make a dent in during a tasting session.
The drinks aren’t cheap but if you’ve made it all the way out there for the Olympics, it’s worth pushing the boat out. For dinner, I headed to the trendy spot of Nu, on Ave le Corbusier, with panoramic views of the city and more affordable yet tasty wares. From tender lamb on a bed of beans, to pumpkin risotto topped with mushrooms, this pan-European eatery and bar has a wealth of choice and slightly less intimidatingly well-dressed waiters than its Parisian counterparts.
Mama Shelter, a stone’s throw from the city’s two main train stations, is a sleek spot for a stopover. The hotel attracts a young clientele with its reasonable prices, buffet breakfast and modish interiors. At dusk the buffet room turns into a 360-degree bar.
Both Paris and Lille are easily accessible from London on the Eurostar – and the journey is so short you’ll be in la belle France before you know it. Book the holiday Eurostar one-way fares from London St Pancras International to Paris or to Lille start at £39. eurostar.
com Rooms at the Hotel Plaza Athenée in Paris start at around £1,666 [CORRECT] a night. dorchestercollection.com Rooms at the Mama Shelter hotel in Lille start at around £70 a night.
fr.mamashelter.com More info at france.
fr parisjetaime.com lilletourism.com.
