How to Explore Paris This Summer Beyond the Olympics

By Ivan PetrenkoMay 17, 2024 22:30 PMNews
Share:
Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Source: unsplash

With all eyes on the French capital this summer for the Olympics, there’s never been a better time to visit. Pinned by the Eiffel Tower, threaded by the Seine, and punctuated by grand gardens, Paris offers endless ways to discover its charms. Here are 17 ways to explore the City of Lights beyond the Olympics.

  1. Go Electric on a Classic City Tour Explore Paris silently and sustainably in a vintage Renault 4L retrofitted with a battery. Glide past iconic sites like the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower in this eco-friendly vehicle, marking 100 years since Paris last hosted the Olympics in 1924.
  2. Hop Around the Paris Plages From July to September, Paris transforms its riverbanks and canals into urban beaches with deckchairs, potted palms, and entertainment. Key spots include Hôtel de Ville and Bassin de la Villette, with new swimming areas opening by 2025.
  3. Sleep in a Floating Hotel on the Seine Experience the aquatic life at Off Paris Seine, a floating hotel moored at Gare d’Austerlitz. Enjoy vibrant rooms, a poolside restaurant, and stunning river views. Rooms start at €230 per night.
  4. Sail the Waterways in an E-Boat Rent an electric boat from Marin D’Eau Douce to explore the Bassin de la Villette and Canal de L’Ourcq. Enjoy a leisurely trip past street art and scenic views without the need for a boating license.
  5. Claim a Deckchair at the Molitor Relax at the historic Molitor pool, famous for the debut of the bikini. Now a luxurious hotel, it offers a blend of history, art, and relaxation. Day passes start at €290 for two.
  6. Cool Off in an Al Fresco Pool Swim in pools like the floating Piscine Joséphine Baker on the Seine, the spacious Piscine Roger le Gall, or the historic Piscine de la Butte-aux-Cailles with its art deco arches.
  7. Discover Paris’s Belle Epoque on Foot Explore the golden age of Paris with walking tours that take you to historic sites like Bouillon Chartier, the Grand Palais, and Galeries Lafayette. Special themed tours highlight the era’s cultural legacy.
  8. Learn to Paint Like an Impressionist Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Impressionism with painting sessions in iconic Parisian locations. Join Rola Cusson for a lesson at her studio on La Grande Jatte or visit 59 Rivoli for contemporary art.
  9. Take a Street-Art Treasure Hunt Use the FlashInvaders app to find mosaics by the anonymous artist Invader. Hunt for pixelated space aliens and pop culture figures across the city, scoring points for each find.
  10. Spot Sculptures by the Seine Walk through the Musée de la Sculpture en Plein Air along the Left Bank, where you can see works by 20th-century artists in a scenic riverside setting.
  11. Embrace Two-Wheeled Paris Explore Paris’s extensive cycleways, including routes along the Seine, Canal St-Martin, and Street Art Avenue. Paris’s bike-friendly infrastructure makes cycling an enjoyable way to see the city.
  12. Party with the Pari Rollers Join the Pari Rollers for a Friday night skate tour, a fun and fast-paced way to see Paris after dark. The carnival-like atmosphere attracts hundreds of participants.
  13. Stroll Reimagined City Railways Walk the Coulée Verte René-Dumont, Paris’s elevated urban park, or explore short stretches of La Petite Ceinture, a disused railway turned urban green space.
  14. Climb Lafayette’s Summer Terrace Visit the eighth-floor terrace of Galeries Lafayette for stunning city views, cocktails, and a seasonal pop-up restaurant. The terrace offers views of landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Coeur.
  15. Drink Farm-Fresh Cocktails Enjoy fresh produce from Europe’s largest urban rooftop farm at Le Perchoir. The plant-filled restaurant offers DJ-led brunches and cocktail evenings with views over the 15th arrondissement.
  16. Explore Urban Wine in Montmartre Take a walking tour with Paris Wine Walks to discover Montmartre’s vineyards and enjoy tastings of low-intervention wines from independent vineyards in Paris and beyond.
  17. Eat in the Eiffel Tower Dine at the two-Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne or enjoy a more casual meal at Madame Brasserie. Experience breathtaking views and gourmet French cuisine high above Paris.
Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Emirates Boeing 777-300ER landing at an airport during golden hour

Emirates integrates Holi celebrations into in-flight experience

Mar 13, 2025 17:34 PM
Historic Blenheim Palace with landscaped gardens and ornate fountains in springtime

New Travel Experiences Await in England for Spring 2025

Mar 13, 2025 15:42 PM

Neos to Launch First Direct Flights Between the US and Puglia

Mar 13, 2025 12:28 PM

North Atlantic Oscillation Shifts Pose Risks for Travelers

Mar 13, 2025 10:36 AM
Traveler relaxing in an airport lounge while watching a plane take off

New Privium Lounge Enhances Travel at Eindhoven Airport

Mar 12, 2025 12:32 PM
Empty train platform with an RFI train in the background, marked with warning signs against crossing the tracks

Milan-Novara Train Suspensions Impact Travel Plans

Mar 12, 2025 10:46 AM
A misty hillside village with lush green vegetation and traditional houses in Madeira, Portugal

Best Destinations to Explore in July, August and September

Mar 12, 2025 08:29 AM
A modern passenger train at a station platform, preparing for departure

Enhanced Train Services for Wales v Kazakhstan Match

Mar 12, 2025 06:33 AM
A modern moving walkway at an airport, covered with a glass roof and surrounded by sleek metal railings

Stuttgart Airport Expands Dining Options for Travelers

Mar 12, 2025 04:49 AM

Portugal Enhances Tourism with Accessibility Certification

Mar 12, 2025 02:27 AM

Hidden Costs in Travel and How Booking Websites Charge You More

Mar 12, 2025 00:31 AM
A vintage steam locomotive emitting smoke while pulling historic green passenger carriages at Swanage Railway

Historic Steam Event to Feature Six Classic Locomotives

Mar 11, 2025 23:46 PM
Aer Lingus aircraft taxiing at Dublin Airport with multiple airline tails in the background

Passenger Traffic Shifts in Ireland’s Airports Amid St Patrick’s Festivities

Mar 11, 2025 21:23 PM
A white church partially buried in sand dunes under a vast blue sky in Jutland, Denmark

Unveiling Jutland as a Fresh Perspective on Scandinavian Travel

Mar 11, 2025 19:38 PM
Transavia airplane taking off from Rotterdam The Hague Airport on a clear day

Rotterdam The Hague Airport to See Big Renovation for Passenger Comfort

Mar 11, 2025 17:56 PM

Football Camp in the Maldives Offers a New Experience for Traveling Families

Mar 10, 2025 22:24 PM

American Airlines Enhances Dining for Travelers with Expanded Menu

Mar 10, 2025 20:49 PM
Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, featuring historic madrassahs with intricate tilework and turquoise domes

Uzbekistan Strengthens Legal Protections for Tourists

Mar 10, 2025 18:31 PM
Vietjet aircraft taking off from an international airport, showcasing its red and white livery

Vietjet’s Hanoi-Shanghai Route Expands Travel Opportunities

Mar 10, 2025 16:25 PM
A quiet rural train station with railway tracks leading into the distance, set against green hills under a cloudy sky

Travel Disruptions Ahead as Cambrian Line Undergoes Major Upgrades

Mar 10, 2025 14:48 PM
A parked AirAsia aircraft at the airport with ground support vehicles preparing for departure

AirAsia Announces Lower Fares for 2025 Travelers

Mar 10, 2025 12:32 PM
A person shines a blue beam of light into the starry sky over Mauna Kea, Hawaii, with the Milky Way visible in the background

New Stargazing Destinations in Hawaii Transform Nighttime Travel

Mar 9, 2025 20:48 PM

AirAsia Philippines Expands Affordable Travel Options

Mar 9, 2025 16:36 PM

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Travel Guide for Adventurous Visitors

Mar 8, 2025 23:26 PM
A Delta Air Lines airplane taking off against a cloudy sky

Delta Expands Service to Green Bay with More Flights

Mar 8, 2025 21:32 PM
Rows of European Union flags waving in front of a modern glass building

EU Introduces New Border Procedures Impacting Travelers

Mar 8, 2025 19:55 PM