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Introduction to Paris

City Guide

Information about Paris and competition venues are provided below.

Paris

Paris is a major railway, highway, and air-transport hub served by two international airports: Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly. The Métro opened in 1900 and the subway serves 5.23 million passengers daily. Paris is known for its museums and architectural landmarks: the Louvre received 2.8 million visitors in 2022. The Musée d'Orsay, Musée Marmottan Monet and Musée de l'Orangerie are noted for their collections of French Impressionist art. The Pompidou Center Musée National d'Art Moderne has the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe. The Musée Rodin and Musée Picasso exhibit the works of two noted Parisians. The historical district along the Seine in the city center has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Popular landmarks include the Notre Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité, now closed for renovation after the 15 April 2019 fire. Other popular tourist sites include the Gothic royal chapel of Sainte-Chapelle and the Eiffel Tower, constructed for the Paris Universal Exposition of 1889. The Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Élysées, and the hill of Montmartre with its artistic history and its Basilica of Sacré-Coeur has attracted many visitors.

The city of Paris is divided into twenty administrative districts, referred to as arrondissements. The number of the arrondissement is indicated by the last two digits in most Parisian postal codes (75001 up to 75020). Also, each arrondissement has a name often for a local monument. For example, the 5th arrondissement is also called "Panthéon" in reference to the building of the same name. The twenty arrondissements are arranged in the form of a clockwise spiral, starting from the middle of the city with the first on the Right Bank (north bank) of the Seine.

In French, notably on street signs, the number is often given in Roman numerals. For example, the Eiffel Tower belongs to the VIIe arrondissement while Gare de l'Est is in the Xe arrondissement. In daily speech, people use only the ordinal number corresponding to the arrondissement. For example, "Elle habite dans le sixième", "She lives in the 6th (arrondissement)".

Due to suburbanization, the population of Paris has gradually shifted outward, with only two arrondissements still growing.

Despite being a popular destination, Paris is small enough to explore on foot. From the vantage point of the Seine, which runs from east to west through the center of the city, it’s easy to take in many of Paris’ most famous sites and attractions.

Highlights

Musée National Rodin: Combining exquisite architecture with an unrivaled collection of the late sculptor's works; Musée National Rodin is worth visiting especially if you are familiar with the artist's work or with sculptural art. Located in the 7th arrondissement, Rodin's former mansion home now contains an exemplary collection of the sculptor's works.
Palais de Tokyo First established as a laboratory for contemporary art, the Palais de Tokyo is now considered one of the most exciting visual art spaces in Paris. Palais de Tokyo has retained much of its 1930s splendor and is home to an exceptional array of artistic works from an extensive roster of international artists.
Jardin du Luxembourg Frequented by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Henry James and Gertrude Stein, Jardin du Luxembourg is the archetypal Parisian Park, and the source of inspiration for dozens of artists, writers and musicians since its creation in the 17th century. Renowned for its manicured lawns and pruned flowerbeds, the garden also houses the seat of the French Senate, convening within the Luxembourg Palace.
Musée de L' Orangerie Should Monet spotting be at the top of your Paris to-do list, there's no better place to visit than Musée de l'Orangerie. Located beside the Place de la Concorde, this unique museum houses a handful of Monet's most prized works, each of which has been specially hung in an elliptical room to convey the artist's masterful exploration of light.

Paris 2024 Games competition zones

Watch the video to learn more about the Paris Games venues:

Tokyo

For more information about city attractions in Paris, visit the link below:

https://olympics.com/ioc/paris-2024

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