My head is spinning just trying to understand how to navigate the ins and outs of this year’s Olympics.  Luckily for us, Lisa Scholtes, the Director of Sports at Select Entertainment Limited, the official partner of the Paris 24 Games is here to simplify the process.

JB: Where are events being held and are they all inside Paris proper?

LS: The Games will be spread across multiple venues in Paris as well as other cities. Unlike past Olympics, the Paris Games will not happen in one convenient Olympic Village. The Paris Olympics will take a tour of France from basketball in Lille to football in Lyon to the equestrian events in Versailles, so it is important to know where the events are taking place before you book your accommodations. For example, the sailing competition is in Marseilles so make sure you don’t book your hotel in Paris. LOL!  

JB: What can you share about the Opening Ceremony?

LS: The opening ceremony is on July 26, and it will be a unique and unforgettable event.  Unlike previous ceremonies, it will not take place in a stadium, but on the water. A 6-kilometer boat parade up the Seine will showcase the participating countries and their athletes, while the final destination will be at Trocadero, where the Olympic torch will be lit against the dramatic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. How exclusive your experience will be depends on what type of ticket you are holding.  With an estimated 300,000 spectators lining the banks of the Seine River, I recommend purchasing a hospitality package which will give you access to exclusive viewing areas, catering services and other benefits.

JB:  Can you tell us more about Hospitality Packages?

LS:

• The Trocadero Package: This is the most exclusive and expensive option, costing around 30,935 Euro per person. It includes a dinner hosted by renowned chef Alain Ducasse and attended by Olympic officials and dignitaries. The dinner venue is the Trocadero Gardens which offer a direct view of the Eiffel Tower and the torch lighting. The package includes tickets to the final and semifinal men’s & women’s swimming as well as men’s and women’s singles tennis events.
• The Bridge 360 Package, set up on the Alma Bridge, allows free movement between grandstand seating, brasserie round tables and other viewing areas. This package will feature not only exclusive 360-degree views of the opening procession, but also a cocktail style dinner and live entertainment. Most importantly, these ticket holders will be able to cross freely between the Right and Left Banks. The price tag starts from 9500 Euro per person and, although there is a big difference in rate between the Bridge and Trocadero package, you will get a bird’s eye view of the parade and it should be breathtaking.
• The Riverside Gold Package offered on the Right Bank includes reserved grandstand seating and a nearby hospitality space with views of the river procession near the Palais de Tokyo. Prices start around 7,500 Euro/person. More adventurous spectators may also enjoy the Quayside Packages, by which you will watch the ceremony from aboard a boat docked along the parade route. Starting prices range from 6,000 to 15,000 Euro/person.

JB:  If attending the Opening Ceremony is a priority for you, how important is the location ?

LS: With the exception of the Bridge 360 Package, make sure that your accommodations are booked on the same riverbank as your seats since crossing from the Right to the Left Bank of the river will be challenging.

JB:  If you just want to see the Olympic events in Paris, how important is location ?

LS:  If you are going to be crossing Paris from one end to the other, then you should aim to stay in central Paris near the Metro stations. If you are planning to take a car service, you would need to allow for extra travel time and should stay out of the center (1^st/2^nd arrondissement) where the traffic will probably be the most congested.

JB:  How do I purchase the tickets to the events?

LS: Gone are the days of paper tickets! Paper tickets are easy to lose, easy to steal, and often re-appear on the gray or black market. Many unsuspecting buyers have learned the hard way that their ticket was fake. For the first time in history, the Olympic Games will distribute electronic tickets only, and each ticket will bear the name of the seat-holder. Since Select is an official introducer the Olympic ’24 Games, you are purchasing 100% authorized, legitimate tickets directly from the source. It’s worth noting that hospitality packages (through Select or other hospitality organizations) are the only way to have alcohol during the events as stadiums and arenas cannot offer alcohol with general admissions tickets.

JB: What if I purchase the tickets to the events? Are the tickets refundable if I decide not to go?

LS: Tickets are non-refundable, but they are re-sellable and transferrable.  Tickets can be privately sold up until the day of the event. 

JB: What are the most popular events?

LS:  The hottest tickets right now are gymnastics, basketball, swimming and tennis. 

JB:  Do you have any insider tips?

LS: Many temporary venues are being built to host specific sports events. Temporary structures may lack top-quality (or any) hospitality facilities, such as private boxes or catering. A savvy ticket purchaser needs to be aware of the limitations of each venue—no one wants to be caught unaware at a venue without catering or restroom facilities!

JB:  Would it be difficult to visit non-Olympic historical sites during the Olympics?

LS: The Paris Games will showcase many of the city’s gorgeous monuments by using them as Olympic event venues.  For example, the Eiffel Tower Stadium is being erected at the base of the tower, Les Invalides will be the archery stadium, and Versailles will be the home of all equestrian events, thus, there will be crowds and access will be limited.  However, Paris has also been sprucing up countless museums, galleries, pedestrian streets, shopping districts and restaurants.  Paris can’t wait to welcome visitors – it will be an incredible moment to visit the city!

Contact Jody Bear at info@bearandbear.travel for her take on the Olympics.