Paris Olympics 2024: From Visa Application To What To Explore, Your Complete Guide To The City Of Love

Paris Olympics: As the world of sports gathers to watch around 10,500 athletes perform at 35 beautiful venues between July 26 to August 11, Paris will be buzzing with excitement.

Pairs to hosts Summer Olympic 2024, from July 26 to August 11.

Source : Canva

Paris during Summer Olympics 2024: While Paris is always a paradise for explorers, this year all eyes will be on the City of Love as it hosts the Summer 2024 Olympics, followed by the Paralympics.

As the world of sports gathers to watch around 10,500 athletes perform at 35 beautiful venues between July 26 and August 11, Paris will be buzzing with excitement. The crowd will be massive, and the experience will be once in a lifetime. Whether you are a sports fan or a nomad roaming the electric streets of town, you will have plenty on your plate. Even if you haven't secured the tickets to the events, there will be several opportunities to watch the action for free. If you are visiting for the sights, iconic attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Catacombs will still be there to explore. Here is a guide for your delightful adventure in the City of Lights:

Arc De Triomphe. (Image Source: Canva)

 Visa Procedure & Requirements: 

Paris, the Capital of France and the largest city fascinates millions of travellers each year. No matter how many times you have visited, Paris will surprise and delight your soul each time. As France is part of the European Union, it provides Schengen Visas to all foreign nationals residing outside the Schengen Zone. Much like other countries, France offers multiple visas catering to the different purposes of individuals, such as Study, Business work, and tourism. If you are looking for a travel visa, then here are the two categories you can apply for: 

1.  Schengen Visa: This type of visa is generally issued to individuals looking to enter France for tourism, business trips, or family visits. It is essentially a short-term stay visa not exceeding 90 days. You can also take part in short training programs, internships, conferences, and remunerated activities. For this type of Visa, you can apply anytime between 6 months to two weeks before your trip 
2. National Visa: Known as a Long-stay visa, this is for any visit exceeding 90 days in France. However, this visa is also for a three-month to one-year duration. For this category of visa, you can apply between 6 months to 1 month before the time of your trip.
   

World's one of the largest museums, Louvre. (Image Source: Canva)

 Documents Required For Schengen Visa: 

Here are a few must-have documents for an Indian National to apply for the Schengen tourist visa:

• A passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least three months after the departure date.
• A printed copy of your visa
• Medical Insurance
• Proof Of stay covering your entire visit
• Adequate financial resources
• Return ticket
• Two recent Photographs

Step-By-Step Guide For The Visa Application Process:

• Determine your Visa type
• Register on the visa application portal
• Complete the application form
• Schedule an appointment
• Make your payment
• Attend your appointment at the visa application centre
• Monitor the status of your application 

The cost of Visa service is around Rs 2000 and the visa fee of Rs 5500, which you must pay online.

The Notre Dame Cathedral. (Image Source: Canva)

Travel Logistics

Paris is almost 6500 Km away from India and requires a 9 to 12-hour air travel from cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Although Paris has three major airports, Charles de Gaulle is the nearest and most accessible. Air India, Jet Airways and Air France provide direct air services between India and France regularly.  

 You can also opt for a road drive, although it would take weeks to reach crossing multiple borders and cost more. 

 Getting around Pairs is quite easy. To save money, a special Olympic Travel Pass offers unlimited travel to all Olympic venues throughout the season. Also, regular transport modes like bicycles, cabs, Taxis, buses, and trains will be operating at full capacity. Public transport will be the cheaper option rather than driving your own vehicle and will also help you avoid traffic. 

 Be cautious when booking accommodation during the Olympic season, as prices will be higher, especially in popular areas like Stade Roland Garros or Bois De Boulogne. If you are looking for a budget-friendly stay away from the hustle and bustle, consider booking in the outskirts of the city. Despite the influx of visitors, Paris will offer some of the most unique and affordable stays. Airbnb, Couchsurfing, homestays, and hostels will be your options to save a few bucks.

While a lifetime may not be enough to explore Paris fully, a 6–7 day trip will provide a fantastic vacation. You can either plan your itinerary or opt for a tour package that covers all must-see spots and activities. This trip might cost you around Rs. 1.50 lakh to 2 Lakhs.

Seine River. (Image Source: Canva)

 

Experience The Olympic Magic

Paris is a timeless destination, perfect in both spring and summer. Being in Paris during the Olympic season will be a soul-stirring experience. It offers a dual combination of exploring the vibrant city and witnessing the grandeur of the Olympic Games. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of an iconic global event. 

No Tickets? Enjoy The Olympics For Free

If you couldn't secure tickets to your favourite events, don't worry. You can still catch the action. Authorities have set up public screens all over the city. You can also enjoy the games in public places like malls, Bars, or restaurants, which will be buzzing with a lightning atmosphere. Additionally, the festive environment on the streets with people cheering for their favourite players and teams will be amazing to watch.

Must See In Paris

As Paris has undergone a full Olympic theme transformation, the usual tourist spots and public places will continue to offer their best. From adventure activities to shopping, there is no shortage of wonders here. Major tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles, museums and other monuments throughout the city will be open and accessible as usual. Here are a few top-pick gems you must explore in this vibrant city: 

Palace of Versailles. (Image Source: Canva)

 

1. The Eiffel Tower: More than 6 million visitors come to Paris just to witness this marvel making it the most visited monument of the world. This world-famous marvel is located near Champ De Mars. Apart from capturing this beautiful moment, you can also choose to climb the tower and enjoy some delicious food with a magical view over all of Paris. There are several unique dining setups in this massive steel structure. 

2. Louvre: If you admire art and prefer visiting museums, then it is a paradise for you. Located in Paris’s 1st arrondissement, the Louvre is one of the world’s largest museums. Here, you can admire Leonardo Da Vinci’s world-famous Mona Lisa. Plan your visit patiently as this place houses almost 35,000 marvellous pieces of art. 

3. The Notre Dame Cathedral: An iconic example of early Gothic architecture is situated in central Paris. Despite suffering damage from a fire in 2019, much of its splendour remains intact. It is known for its unique structure and architecture. It has two distinctive towers standing 223 feet high, originally from two church ruins.

4. Arc De Triomphe: Another one of the most famous monuments, the Arc De Triomphe is a triumphal arch situated in the 8th arrondissement.  It marks the busiest and biggest crossroads in Paris, where 12 avenues converge. 

5. The Seine: This 776 Km long river flows through Paris. Here you can witness the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics 2024. Paris is celebrating the occasion in a unique style as this will be the first time an inauguration ceremony will take place on a riverbank instead of a stadium. 

6. Palace of Versailles: This world heritage site palace, built in 1623, is a former royal residence. The huge garden of the palace will host equestrian events; however, it will remain open to the public while the games are on.