The 2024 Summer Olympics are set to break tradition by not being confined solely to Paris. According to the Olympic Agenda released last October, the Games can now be spread over several cities, regions, or even countries. This change, aimed at sustainability, reduces the need for constructing new venues and makes attending the Olympics more affordable for fans.
Marseille is among the 17 cities and communes throughout France hosting Olympic events from July 26 to August 11. Notably, the surfing competitions will take place in Tahiti, French Polynesia. Despite the main host city being Paris, where hotel rates are soaring, cities like Marseille offer more budget-friendly options. For instance, while the NH Paris Champs-Elysees has rates starting at $600 per night in late July, the NH Collection Marseille offers rooms for $215 per night. This affordability extends to Olympic event tickets as well, with prices for soccer starting at $16 and hospitality packages for sailing from $350.
The French Riviera presents another attractive destination for Olympic attendees. In Antibes, the Hôtel Belles Rives, a 5-star beachfront Art Deco hotel, offers rooms starting at $600 per night. This hotel, once frequented by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, also features one of the world’s oldest water skiing schools. Nearby Nice will host U.S. Women’s Soccer Team matches, with tickets starting at just $16. Other cities such as Bordeaux, Lyon, and Nantes will host various soccer matches, including the Men’s Quarterfinals and Women’s Bronze Medal Match, with tickets available from $70 and $38, respectively.
For those who choose to stay in Paris but are unable to secure tickets for all desired matches, many luxury hotels, including Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, will host viewing parties for guests. Equestrian fans might prefer staying in Versailles, where Airbnb offers apartments starting at $100 per night, a more affordable option compared to the Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace, where rates exceed $1,400 per night. Equestrian event tickets on the official Paris2024.org website are mostly sold out, but sessions on resale sites like Ticombo start at $84, though buying from resellers always carries risks.
Lille will be a hub for basketball fans, hosting both men’s and women’s games with tickets starting at $54. Additionally, it is economically viable to stay in nearby Brussels, just a 38-minute Eurostar ride away. Holiday Inn Express Lille Centre offers double rooms starting at $257, whereas the Holiday Inn Brussels – Schuman provides more affordable options with rooms available at $137 per night.
The decentralized approach to the 2024 Summer Olympics not only promotes sustainability but also enhances affordability and accessibility for spectators, offering a unique opportunity to experience the Games across various picturesque locations in France and beyond.
