There are lots of places to watch the Olympics in Paris without a ticket
Paris' Olympics bid was successful because it promised inclusivity—getting as many people involved as possible. That means that tourists (and residents) will have lots of chances to watch and cheer athletes on in the center of the action, particularly because events are taking place all around the city. There is plenty enough opportunity to get involved, even without buying a ticket.
The Parc Des Jeux—Paris' Biggest Free View Party
This is the Olympic Games' biggest site, where the Olympic flame will arrive on July 25, the day before the Games begin. It opens at 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. every day from July 26 to September 8 and until midnight for the eight nights where concerts will take place. There are lots of activities planned, and it's the perfect opportunity to watch live streams and replays.
The Parc Des Jeux is situated at Georges-Valbon park, in Saint-Denis, and is one of the largest green spaces in Paris, full of lakes, fitness areas and children's activities such as pony rides.
Champions Parc At The Trocadéro
The Trocadéro is in the heart of Paris, just near the Eiffel Tower and will be open every evening from July 29 to August 10 (but not August 2 to 4) from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. It will be the place where up to 15,000 spectators can gather to watch the day's final events and where the winners will parade in front of the crowd.
The July 14 firework display is usually held here and nearby activities include the Eiffel Tower and the Rodin museum.
La Terrace De Jeux At City Hall
From July 20 to September 8, at the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) in the 4th arrondissement, there will be two giant screens where spectators can gather to enjoy streaming of the events, as well as other activities—there will also be pilates, a climbing wall and cooking events. The Olympic flame arrives on July 14, France's Bastille Day.
This area, called Le Marais, is well-known for its sumptuous 17th-century mansions, museums, antique shops and coffee shops. Walk the cobbled streets until you find a cafe to your liking to take in the Olympics buzz.
Marathon Events That Are Free To Watch During Paris' Olympic Games
The Men's Marathon takes place on August 10, but in a change from usual Olympics procedure, it is the Women's Marathon that will finish the Games on August 11. Both events will finish at Esplanade des Invalides, which will have ticketed stands for the finish line, but onlookers can follow the route from City Hall to Boulogne-Billancourt and Versailles.
The Esplanade des Invalides is situated mid-way between the Arc de Triomphe and the Musée d'Orsay, home to the master Impressionists, Claude Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Gauguin, and van Gogh.
Triathlon Events That Are Free To Watch During Paris' Olympic Games
The triathlon events will take place on July 30 (Men's Individual race), July 31 (Women's Individual race) and on August 5 (Mixed Relay). All races finish at the bridge Pont Alexander III where there are ticketed stands to watch the athletes reach the finish line but elsewhere, watch participants swim 1.5km along the Seine, climbing up 32 stairs to cycle 40km before running 10km along the banks of the river Seine and the Champs Elysée.
The ornate, 19th-century bridge, Pont Alexander III connects the Eiffel Tower with the Champs Elysée. The Hôtel des Invalides is a short walk away, a series of military museums that house tombs, including that of Napoleon (after his remains were repatriated in 1840 from the island of St Helena, where he died in exile).
Road Cycling Events That Are Free To Watch During Paris' Olympic Games
The road cycling events will run between Paris and Versailles on July 27 (Time Trial), August 3 (Men's Road Cycling race) and August 4 (Women's Road Cycling race).
The time trial runs around the Bois de Vincennes, the former royal hunting ground for French kings, ending at Invalides after 32.5km, while the road races begin at Trocadéro, taking in Versailles, before finishing at Montmartre.
Both the Bois de Vincennes and Versailles are two of the best days trips from central Paris. Roam the latter to marvel at the 17th-century work of 30,000 craftsmen, who transformed this hunting lodge into King Louis XIV's masterpiece, while at Bois de Vincennes, you can walk the 17 miles of paths that featured in Marcel Proust and Gustave Flaubert's literature—it's twice the size of New York's Central Park.
Fan Zones Across Paris During The Olympic Games
There are lots of other fan zones being set up across Paris' arrondissements, that will be free to enter and allow fans to follow, celebrate and soak up the atmosphere during the Games. Capacity will range from 500 people to 9,000 and there will be giant TV screens, food and drink, plus concerts and activities—the León Serpollet venue in the 18th is tailored more to families, for example, Parc de Choisy in the 13th will be focused on hiphop and its culture, and the zone in Île-Saint-Denis will be dedicated to African culture. These will take place between the entire Games, starting July 26 and finishing at the end of the Paralympics on September 8.
The Olympics aside, any visitors looking for the best things to do at any time of the year, should check out CNTraveler's 48 Best Things To Do In Paris, or remember that some of France's other great tourist sites are well within reach for anyone spending time in Paris—here are a few of the Best Day Trips From Paris.
