As we know, the Paris 2024 Olympics are shaping up to be very sporty on the traffic side. The subways will be very busy, and some stations will be jam-packed throughout the games. To offset this, the government has introduced a interactive map to help you anticipate games and subway travel. But what about the road? Here’s all you need to know about traffic problems in Paris during the games.
Paris 2024 Olympics: traffic restrictions during all games
During all the games, road traffic will be particularly affected. Four disciplines are expected to take to the road: Olympic cycling (time trial, road race), triathlon, Olympic marathon and marathon pour tous.
For all these events, a red perimeter will be set up 3h before the start of each competition. If you live close to the area concerned, you can still get around up to 1h30 before the start of the competition. Traffic will resume gradually 15 minutes after the very last competitor has passed.
Areas closed for three months
Exceptional events call for exceptional measures. From June 1ᵉʳ, certain areas of Paris will be completely closed to traffic. This is the case of place de la Concorde which will host sporting competitions throughout the games. It will be partially open from September 7, 2024. So you’ll just have to be patient…
The Trocadero gardens and the southern part of its square, the Champs-de-Mars, the Avenue des Nations Unies and the Pont d’Iéna will also be closed until July. Judo and wrestling events will be held there!
Traffic restrictions in detail
Unsurprisingly, on July 26, you’ll be able to forget all about your escapades on the Left Bank. Visit opening ceremony, which runs from 7pm until late into the night, will be the center of attention and under close surveillance.
On July 24 and 27, the Olympic cycling time trials will be held. The 32 km route will start at the Esplanade des Invalides at 6.30pm and finish at the Pont Alexandre III. The latter will be completely closed to traffic. The tests will cover :
- l’esplanade des Invalides
- place de la Bastille
- the Bois de Vincennes
- château de Vincennes
- Nogent-sur-Marne
- the Château de Vincennes
- Place de la Nation
- Alexandre III bridge
The Olympic road cycling events will take place from August 1 to 4. The men’s race starts on Saturday August 3 at 11am, and will cover 273km. It will start at place Trocadéro and finish in Meudon at around 6.15pm. The women’s race will start on August 4 from 2pm to 6.45pm, and will cover 158km.
Triathlon events will be held at July 28 to 31 and August 3 to 5, 2024. They will start no earlier than 7am on the Alexandre III Bridge and finish no later than 10.40am.
Finally, on August 10 and 11, you can cheer on the athletes of the Olympic Marathon and the Marathon for All. The Olympic event, which will cover 42km, will start at 8am and finish no later than 11.30am. The stages of the test are :
- city Hall
- Opéra Garnier
- the Louvre pyramid
- la Manufacture et Musées nationaux de Sèvres
- the Palace of Versailles
- the Meudon national forest
- the Eiffel Tower
- esplanade des Invalides
The marathon for all, meanwhile, takes place at 9pm and finishes at around 4.30am. Two courses will be available, including one identical to the Olympic version.
Bridges closed and Seine quays closed from July 1ᵉʳ
From July 1ᵉʳ, you will no longer be able to use the Pont du Carrousel, part of the Pont d’Iéna (in part), the Pont de l’Alma, the Pont au Change and the Pont de la Tournelle. Are you used to crossing the Pont de la Concorde, the Pont Royal or the Pont d’Arcole? From July 15, these will be closed. So you’ll have to find another route…
If you enjoyed strolling along the quays of the Seine on a sunny day, they will no longer be accessible from mid-July. For scooters, the quays from Charenton to Boulogne will also be impassable, as they will be used for spectator seating.
In short, we wish you good luck in getting around during these games!