The 2024 Summer Olympics have come to an end, but the heat in Paris and even in France has not faded. The opening ceremony on 26 July was a perfect illustration of Paris as a fluid feast, witnessed by 205 delegations from all over the world, some 6,800 athletes, and spectators seated in front of electronic screens – the Seine created a makeshift stage and the spirit of France has always been immortalized throughout history.
Up to 95% of the venues where the athletes pass through and compete are existing or improvised, making it known as the "greenest Olympics ever". For those who are familiar with Parisian landmarks, it is not difficult to find that these monuments are the main skeleton of Paris, forming the soul of the city. We've taken this as a clue to create a French tour, whether it's the classic Île-de-France region, the southern harbor, the historic city famous for its art, or the islands in the Pacific Ocean, there is sure to be a place to go.
Paris, Paris
Place de la Concorde
3x3 football, breakdancing,
BMX freestyle and skateboard competitions
For the Games, the huge Place de la Concorde was used as a venue for 3x3 football, breakdancing, BMX freestyle and skateboarding. The Place de la Concorde is not only the starting point of the Champs-Élysées, known as the "most beautiful avenue in the world", but also the first witness to the history of France. In front of the square's huge obelisk, the hieroglyphs on the inscription praise the rule of the ancient Kingdom of Egypt and the friendship between Muhammad · Ali, the governor of Egypt in the Ottoman Empire, and France since 1829.
There are two famous fountains in the square, the sea fountain that embodies the maritime spirit of France, and the river fountain, which refers to the Rhône and the Rhine. The square is surrounded by eight different statues representing the eight main cities of France: Lille, Strasbourg, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Brest and Rouen. The bloody storm of the France Revolution seems to have escaped behind the curtain, but the different sculptures still drag out thick traces, leaving people to experience the transformation process of Paris and even France.
Alexander III Bridge
Marathon swimming, triathlon, road cycling
The Alexander III Bridge became the start and finish point of the triathlon, as well as the finish of the individual cycling time trial and swimming marathon. The bridge was named in honor of the connection between Tsar Alexander III of Russia and Paris, and at the beginning of the 20th century, the bridge was classified as a historical monument. The splendid bridge is a paradise for sculpture lovers. On the sides and ends of the bridge, there is a 17-meter-high sculpture of the main tower, topped by a group of bronze horsemen, each representing a story, in addition to four golden sculptures inlaid on the balustrade of the tower. In the middle of the bridge, there are two typical Catholic church ceilings. It is worth mentioning that the front and back of the Alexander III Bridge are decorated with ancient Paris military flag sculptures and traditional Russia military flag sculptures, symbolizing Franco-Russian friendship. After a century of baptism, the Alexander III Bridge still retains its original pearl gray bridge, which not only attracts many tourists every day, but also becomes a landmark frequented by literature and art lovers.
In the last scene of the movie "Midnight in Paris", when the male protagonist comes to a gorgeous bridge and overlooks the glittering Eiffel Tower after the interweaving and interchange of dream and reality, and at this moment the heroine comes slowly, accompanied by the rain falling from the sky, and says: "Actually, Paris is the most beautiful in the rain." The bridge that freezes their last meeting is the Alexander III Bridge.
Paris City Hall
track and field
This year's Olympic athletics venue has been moved into the Paris City Hall, which has also been transformed into a sea of blue runways. The Hôtel de Ville has been the seat of the City Council of Paris since 1357 and is a favorite gathering place for Parisians. The tower-like building and flat-topped pyramidal roof form its distinctive architectural features, while the walls of the building are decorated with 136 statues of famous figures in France's history, telling a long and magnificent epic. Nowadays, at every important moment, two long posters hang from the front of the town hall building, such as the rainbow flag in June.
The Hôtel de Ville is arguably the heart of the city and the country, where the proclamation of the Republic was proclaimed in 1848 and 1871, and where the victory in the First World War in 1918 and the liberation of Paris in 1944 were celebrated. At the same time, the Paris City Hall is the best testament to the spirit of France – it was burned down during the uprising of the Paris Commune in 1871 and rebuilt between 1874 and 1882, just as General de Gaulle gave his famous speech here during the liberation of France in 1944: "Paris! The humiliated Paris! Fragmented Paris! Battered Paris! But it's a free Paris! ”
Eiffel Tower
Beach volleyball
This year's Olympic beach volleyball competition kicked off in front of the Eiffel Tower, and it is worth mentioning that the original iron sheet of the Eiffel Tower was also added to the medal design of this year's Olympic Games. Dating back to the end of the 19th century, the Eiffel Tower has occupied the position of the world's tallest man-made structure for 40 years at 312 meters, and is also the most visited monument in the world for a fee. In 1889, the Eiffel Tower was designed for the Paris World's Fair, and then despite the doubts of people from all walks of life, after complete design and construction, it finally stood on the banks of the Seine, becoming a symbol of Paris and even the whole of France.
Since its construction, the Eiffel Tower has shaken the entire literary and artistic world. The Chile poet Vicente · Vidovro described it as a "heavenly guitar" in his poetry collection Tour Eiffel; In the play "The Newlyweds in Front of the Eiffel Tower", playwright Jean · Quektor depicts a surreal story set in the Eiffel Tower in the middle of the Namibian desert; In 1913, Marc · Chagall's Paris Outside the Window depicted the cityscape of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower dominating the picture; In 1954, Chagall again adopted the theme of the tower in Champ-de-Mars...... And no matter how it is used and created, it will always stand here, witnessing France.
The Grand Palace
Fencing, taekwondo
When Paris hosted the Olympic Games in 1900, the Grand Palais was the venue for fencing, and it still does so 124 years later. At this year's Olympics, the Grand Palais hosted both fencing and taekwondo competitions.
The Grand Palais dates back to around 1897 and was completed in 1900, at the same time as the Paris World's Fair. The whole building is designed with a combination of steel, stone and glass, with decorative mosaics and ceramic friezes of statues, showing a style of Baroque and classicism. The sculptures on the exterior wall symbolize art, industry, agriculture, music and other fields, as if the history of human civilization is engraved here. The building's unique iron scroll design and use of green rock columns, together with the largest glass dome in Europe, make the Grand Palais a well-deserved star building in the city. After 2011, the Federation of National Museums of France also merged with the Grand Palais in Paris to carry out cultural and related communication activities, and also hold art and cultural exhibitions from time to time.
Les Invalides
Archery, track and field, road cycling
The Invalides are even more lively at the Olympics as a venue for archery, athletics and road cycling. In 1670, Louis XIV ordered the construction of a hospital dedicated to the reception of retired veterans and disabled soldiers after the war. Today, the Musée de l'Armée de France (also known as the Musée des Militées de Paris) and Napoleon's mausoleum are located here. The Military Museum has a collection of more than 500,000 pieces, including armor and weapons of the kings of France, swords, war cannons, military uniforms, paintings, photographs and personal belongings of important historical figures of France. From its earliest royal institution to today's public institution with military and cultural themes, the role of Les Invalides has changed dramatically throughout history.
Today, when you enter this large courtyard, you will find many young people playing football, rugby, sunbathing or reading books, creating a wonderful landscape between classical architecture and contemporary pictures.
Versailles
Equestrian, modern pentathlon
The Palace of Versailles, which took 40 years from its inception to completion, has been used as a venue for equestrian and modern pentathlon competitions. From the earliest red brick building to a palace with 2,300 rooms, 67 staircases and 5,210 pieces of furniture, Versailles became the largest, most majestic and luxurious palace building in Europe at that time, and became the center of aristocratic activities, art centers and cultural fashion in France and even Europe.
When one walks through it, one always has the illusion of stepping back in time to the glory days of Louis XIV. The splendid Hall of Mirrors reflects the prosperity and luxury of the past, and the well-manicured French garden, with its dancing fountains and lush greenery, embodies exquisite French aesthetics everywhere and reveals the ultimate luxury of the royal family of the past.
Legend of the harbor of Provence
Marseilles
sailing boat
As the heart of Provence, Marseille is ideally located as a sailing arena for the Olympians. One of the most leisurely routes in this elegant city is to hike up the 2,600-year-old Port of Marseille up the hill and lean on the terrace of Notre-Dame de Garde for a panoramic view of Marseille.
If you have plenty of travel time, head east from Marseille to the Kalange fjord. The Kalange Fjord, with its sapphire-like waters, limestone-white peaks and kilometres of pine forests, is unique in the world. It is also a popular destination for rock climbers and divers. It is said that the bottom of this sea is said to be home to fragments of shipwrecks and endless artifacts from the past, witnessing the exchange between Marseille and the rest of the world, and is an important point of archaeology. It is said that the bracelet worn by Saint-Exupéry, the author of "The Little Prince", was found in this area after his plane crash. Not far away, the Île d'Eve can be reached by boat in the old port of Marseille, where a military fortress built by King François I in 1524 served as a prison for exile for the next 400 years. The Kalange Fjord, with its charm from wild nature and the mystery of history, has become a jewel of southern France.
Imagine the city of art
Bordeaux
football
Part of the football matches of the Olympic Games are held at the home of France Ligue 1 club Bordeaux. France literary giant Victor · Hugo said of Bordeaux: "It's a peculiar city, original, maybe unique, combine the two cities of Versailles and Antwerp, and you get Bordeaux." "Bordeaux" means sleeping beauty, as if to imply its silence in France's history, which was under United Kingdom rule for more than 300 years.
Today, Porto is the "City of Art and History", a famous wine country in France, and is also known as the "Wine Capital of the World". The best thing to do on the banks of the beautiful Garonne is, of course, to travel between the different wine estates and wine museums, and to taste a variety of red and white wines.
Nantes
football
The home stadium of Nantes FC in western France has also become the football venue for the Olympic Games. Nantes, the jewel of the Loire River in western France, attracts travelers from all over the world with its unique architecture and rich history. In the Old Town, Gothic churches and Renaissance buildings complement each other, and every brick and tile tells the story of the past. The meandering canals are beautifully landscaped, and the creative wonders of the Mechanical Island showcase the harmonious coexistence of technology and nature.
When night falls, Nantes is even more enchanting. The cafés and restaurants of Place Brittany are lit up with French food and wine. Nantes is also a famous comic city, and the streets and alleys are full of comic elements, making the city full of childlike fun and imagination. Here, whether you are immersed in the tranquility of the palace of art or experience the pulse of the beating city, you can feel the unique charm of Nantes.
Eastern Dreamland
Lyons
football
The home stadium of the seven-time France football champion Olympique de Lyon hosted part of the Olympic Games. Lyon, a splendid city in the east of France, is also a dream land where history and modernity are intertwined. The stone-paved streets of the old town are lined with Renaissance and Baroque buildings, and there are always two rows of orange lights dancing gently in the night. Climbing to the top of the Fourvière hill offers a panoramic view of Lyon. It is also the home of the Lumière brothers, the inventors of the film, and the city's prosperity and the light of the Lumière brothers' inventions are intertwined, telling the glorious past and future vision of the "City of Light".
A must-see in Lyon is also a gastronomic exploration. From traditional Lyonnais sausages to delicate French desserts, every bite is tempting. Lyon's markets are always full of colourful knick-knacks, and those who like to shop for goods are always surprised when they wander around.
The closest island to paradise
Tahiti
surf
Tahiti, a full 15,000 kilometres from Paris, was chosen as the venue for the surfing competition, which also challenged the record for the longest distance ever held outside the host city for an Olympic event since 1956. Located on the southern side of the main island of Tahiti, Taiahuboo is known for its treacherous waves and is a venue for even the best surfers.
Tahiti is known as "the closest place to paradise". The four seasons here are warm and Lucky Star Chinese Restaurant, the sea water is crystal clear, and the seven-colored water surrounding it is like a dream. On the golden sand, the white sand is fine, and the blue waves in the distance are like being in Gauguin's oil paintings. The island's rainforests are lush with palm groves filled with tropical fruits that are abundant all year round. If you dive into the underwater world, you will be dizzy-filled with colorful coral reefs and schools of tropical fish, as if you have entered a wonderful underwater kingdom. Tahiti is not only blessed with stunning natural beauty, but also retains a rich Polynesian culture. Warm and hospitable locals greet guests from afar with traditional ceremonies, and garlands made of Tahitian gardenias are accompanied by guitars and ukuleles, expressing the best wishes of the locals.
Written by: refrain
edit-ki