The emphasis is squarely on the City of Lights this summer, but Paris isn’t the only French locale readying for the 2024 Summer Olympics. In fact, 14 other cities, stretching north to south, from Lille to Marseille, and east to west, from Lyon to Bordeaux, will be hosting soccer, cycling, sailing, golf and more. Then you have the Tahitians, who are praying for perfect weather. Their tropical island, nearly 10,000 miles from France, is where you’ll find one of the Games’ newest sports: surfing. It made its debut in 2021 in Tokyo.
So, whether you go to the Summer Olympics every four years, or you’re planning your first trip, consider looking beyond Paris. Here’s how to do it to the nines.
Teahupo’o, Tahiti
This summer’s surfing competition will take place around the world in Teahupo’o.
Steve Dickinson
Professional surfers aren’t sure which is harder: accurately pronouncing Teahupo’o, or hanging ten on its famous swell. Situated on the southeast coast of Tahiti Iti, the island’s less-traveled peninsula, Teahupo’o is about a 90-minute drive from the capital city of Papeete. It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it coastal village where foreign surfers nearly outnumber the 1,500 local residents. Why host the surfing competitions in such a remote place? Tahiti is part of French Polynesia, one of France’s overseas territories. More importantly, it boasts a wave SurferToday describes as a “vibrant and mutant slab breaking over a shallow live reef.” Of course, you don’t have to know the difference between a duck dive and a turtle roll to enjoy Teahupo’o.
What to Do
Leave your binocs at home. Unless you’re the lucky holder of one of very few tickets (distribution is TBD) providing access to the village, you’ll have to catch the action on the giant screens set up in “ticket-free fan zones” at Atimaono Beach and in Papeete. In between surf sessions, relax on the peninsula’s black sand beaches or hike its jungle trails.
Where to Stay
Most properties with availability during the competition, July 27 through August 5, are in Papeete. InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa and Hilton Hotel Tahiti both have rooms starting at $360 per night. Meanwhile on Moorea, about a 45-minute ferry ride from Papeete, Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort has luxury bungalows from $720 per night. If you want to be overwater, it’s around $1,500 per night—and if you’re willing to venture a little further, consider nearby Bora Bora. To celebrate kite surfing’s Olympic debut, The St. Regis Bora Bora is offering a “Kite Surfing Experience” for two starting at $11,254 for five nights.
Getting There
United offers nonstop service to Papeete from SFO five times/week. But if you’re bringing your board, opt for Air Tahiti Nui (daily nonstop flights from LAX and SEA) where it can count as one of your checked bags.
Marseille
Marseille is the hub for the Olympic sailing competition.
Courtesy of Tourism Marseille
Since its founding by Greek seafarers in 600 BC, France’s oldest settlement has been a maritime mainstay; it’s almost as if the Greeks left behind a few sirens.Today’s sailors are being lured by hopes of winning one of 30 coveted Olympic medals. With ideal weather conditions year-round and an impressive nautical complex, Marseille was a shoo-in for the setting of this summer’s 10 sailing-related events. But this sunny port city is also looking forward to welcoming football fans. Its 67,000-seat Stade Orange Vélodrome will host both women’s and men’s soccer matches, including the semi-finals.
What to Do
Tickets for Marseille Olympic events start at just $16 per person and are available at here. While you’re in this part of the dynamic Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, set aside time for day trips. Photograph the lavender fields—the aromatic carpet of purple peaks in late July/early August—or go for a stroll in Calanques National Park where fjords rise up out of the turquoise sea and an elevator at the new La Grotte Cosquer takes you down 122 feet to the mouth of an underwater prehistoric cave.
Where to Stay
NH Collection Marseille (suites from $650 per night) is within walking distance of the Marseille Cathedral, the Mucem museum, and the city’s most visited site: Notre-Dame de la Garde. For panoramic sea views and gold medal-worthy gastronomy (the on-site restaurant boasts three Michelin stars), reserve one of the 16 rooms or two private villas at Le Petit Nice (from $990 per night).
Getting There
While there are no nonstop flights from the U.S. to Marseille, there are at least five daily nonstop flights from Paris. By plane, the trip takes an hour and a half. By train, it’s three to four hours from Paris.
Versailles and Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
The 2024 equestrian events will take places at the palace.
© château de Versailles / D. Saulnier
Louis XIV’s favorite sport was hunting on horseback. While that’s unlikely to ever be approved by the International Olympic Committee, the Palace of Versailles’ backyard will be the backdrop for all equestrian and modern pentathlon (which does include shooting) events. Meanwhile Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, situated seven miles west of Versailles, is excited to show off its 6,000-seat velodrome. In addition to hosting the track cycling, mountain biking, and BMX events, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines is also home to Golf National where 120 pro golfers, including Scottie Scheffler, will tee off in August.
What to Do
While parts of the Palace of Versailles’ park will be closed for events, the museum, gardens and The Grand Trianon—where the Sun King romanced his mistress—will remain open. If you’re based in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, check out Pilotage Passion where you can take a 670-horsepower Ferrari for a few 180 mph-laps on a 1,700-meter track. Or head to Helixaero. Its pilot-for-a-day package gives you the controls of a $480,000 Cabri G2 helicopter.
Where to Stay
While AirBNB and VRBO properties are slim pickings and most area hotels are booked solid, the Palace of Versailles’ next door neighbor, the Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace has a few rooms (from $550 per night) left. In Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, you can still find a bed at the three-star Ibis (from $325 per night), just a two-minute walk from the cycling track.
Getting There
Most spectators will arrive in Versailles or Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines via the RER C line from Paris. The trip takes between 30 to 45 minutes. Of course, in lieu of a crowded train car you can always take an Uber Lux. That journey takes 20 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
