by Florian König, maut1.de - 4 June 2024
From 26 July to 11 August, the 2024 Summer Olympics will take place in the French capital Paris and sports enthusiasts from all over the world will travel to Paris to compete for 329 gold medals in 32 sports.
In addition to Paris, other venues include the Palace of Versailles (for equestrian events), Marseille (for sailing), Lille (for handball), Tahiti (for surfing) and Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Bordeaux, Saint-Etienne and Nice (for football). The Paralympic Games will then take place from 28 August to 8 September 2024.
We have compiled all the important information for you so that you can relax and enjoy the many Olympic competitions.
Travelling by car
1. Tol
Almost all French motorways are subject to tolls. On average, tolls in France cost just under 10 cents per kilometre (as of 2024), although significantly more expensive routes can cost up to 21 euros per 100 kilometres. No toll is payable on rural roads. For example, a car journey from Saarbrücken to Paris (400 kilometres) costs 33.50 euros, while a journey from the German border near Strasbourg to Paris (490 kilometres) costs 43.70 euros.
The toll incurred is paid either at the toll stations (by cash or credit card) or electronically with a so-called toll box. The advantage of the maut1.de toll box: The distance travelled is automatically recorded and the toll is conveniently paid by invoice. At the toll stations, you can simply drive through without stopping in a lane marked with a "t" (for télepéage).
2. Parking in Paris
The desired traffic turnaround in France means that more and more streets and squares in major French cities are car-free zones, making it difficult to find a parking space in Paris. If you are travelling to Paris in your own car, it is best to book accommodation that has its own parking spaces. Alternatively, there are car parks in Paris that are open around the clock, although daily rates range from 15 to 40 euros.
3. Environmental zones
Special exclusion zones will be set up during the Olympic Games in Paris. These concern the immediate vicinity of the competition venues, the routes of the (para-)Olympic marathon and the cycling races as well as the sections along the Seine during the opening ceremony. All private motorised traffic is strictly prohibited within these restricted zones.
The red zone is activated two and a half hours before the start of the first event on each competition day and is lifted again one hour after the end of the last competition; motorised vehicles are then prohibited here. The blue zone extends beyond the red zone, becomes active at the same time and allows residents, workers, delivery services and emergency vehicles to enter and exit as a transit area.
The Crit'Air environmental or particulate matter sticker ("air quality certificate") is intended to ensure cleaner air in France. The French traffic regulations make it possible to impose driving bans on certain vehicles in the event of increased particulate matter levels or smog (can be ordered online here). Please note: The green particulate matter sticker from Germany is not valid when travelling in France!
Travelling by train
Paris is also very easy to reach by train from all major German cities. The TGV connects Germany with Paris on two routes: north from Frankfurt via Mannheim, Kaiserslautern and Saarbrücken and south from Stuttgart via Karlsruhe and Strasbourg to Paris. The journey takes less than four hours. The Eurostar also runs several times a day from Cologne to Paris in less than three and a half hours.
Travelling by plane
The French capital has three international airports, of which only Paris Charles-de-Gaulle and Paris-Orly play a role for travellers from Germany. Both airports have excellent bus and train connections to the centre of Paris.
Important: On the day of the opening ceremony on the Seine (Friday evening, 26 July), both airports will be closed for security reasons during the celebrations to mark the start of the Olympics in Paris.
Travelling by public transport in Paris
An inexpensive and stress-free way to visit the respective venues during the Olympics in Paris is the well-developed local transport network of Paris (Métro runs every 2 minutes in some places, otherwise every 4 to 5 minutes).
Other means of public transport include buses, trams, the funicular railway "Funiculaire de Montmartre" and water taxis on the Seine. Despite the well-developed public transport network and additional buses and trams during the Olympics, a very high number of visitors must be expected overall.
For all current information on available means of transport, price offers and possible waiting times, we recommend the application "Transport public Paris 2024".
Accommodation and sights
The Olympic Games will attract many guests from home and abroad to the metropolis on the Seine, so it could be difficult for spontaneous travellers to find reasonably priced accommodation at short notice. The recommendation here is: the earlier the better and the further away from the centre the cheaper!
Of course, the famous sights of Paris will also be correspondingly well visited, so that early booking should also be an advantage, especially for all places requiring reservations such as the Eiffel Tower or museums.
As the major sporting event is taking place during the French summer holidays, it can at least be assumed that the centre of Paris will be emptier than usual.
Information on campsites
High prices and reduced availability can also be expected at the campsites around Paris, with only a few places still available if you are prepared to travel a longer distance to the competition venues (between 50 and 70 kilometres).
Free public viewing
During the Olympic Games, visitors will be able to watch all the competitions free of charge in 25 public viewing zones in Paris. There will also be food stalls, playgrounds and relaxation areas in these zones. The largest public viewing zones are the Champions Park at the Trocadéro, the Club France in the Parc de la Villette and the Parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville.
Danger of terrorism and border controls
The highest of three terror alert levels is in force in France until further notice, which has also led to tighter security controls in the city of Paris. It is very likely that the warning will continue beyond the Olympic Games.
It can therefore also be assumed that France will suspend the Schengen Agreement for the duration of the Olympic Games in Paris and carry out identity checks at all borders.
Car travellers will therefore have to be prepared for waiting times when entering France and should always carry valid identification documents (identity card or passport) with them. Air and rail travellers should also be prepared for increased controls when entering the country.
We wish everyone taking part in the competitions, whether actively or passively, a great experience and a stress-free time in Paris!
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