Visiting Paris this Summer? Here’s Where to Go to Avoid the Olympics

Paris is one of the most popular tourist hotspots in the world, and for good reason. Home to a myriad of museums and art galleries, iconic landmarks and a stellar food scene, there’s no shortage of fantastic things to see and do in the French capital. Sadly the rest of the world knows it too, and with the city hosting the 2024 Olympics from July 26 to August 11, it’s set to be even busier than usual.

If you’re visiting Paris this summer but want to avoid the sporting action, fortunately there are plenty of sites and activities, many away from the tourist trail, that don’t involve standing in a two-hour queue, so you have nothing to worry about.

You don’t have to hit the famed Left Bank wine bars to sample some of the best grape in Paris - Les Caves du Louvre is a charming spot to take a well-earned break after a busy day of sightseeing. From Sauvignon Blanc to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, you’ll try three different wines during the tasting, which takes place inside a historic royal cellar (the space was originally established by King Louis XV's sommelier). What’s more, there’s plenty of cheese thrown in for good measure. Bon appetit.

2. Take a Stroll Around Pantin

The base of the Hermès luxury brand and some cultural powerhouses including the Centre National de la Danse and an exhibition space from Thaddeus Ropac (one of Paris’s most well-known art gallerists), Pantin, which is just north-east of Paris, is a great place for a relatively crowd-free wander.

It also happens to offer quick access to top cultural venues in Paris’s 19th arrondissement like the Philharmonie de Paris complex, which includes a Jean Nouvel-designed concert hall and music museum, so be sure to carve out at least half a day in your itinerary.

There’s much controversy about whether the Seine is safe for athletes to swim in due to cleanliness, but there’s nothing to stop you taking a relaxing boat ride on the river. In fact, it’s a quintessential Parisian experience.

The Bateaux Parisiens sightseeing cruise takes in all the city’s best sites including the Musée d'Orsay, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame – three landmarks which are expected to be swarming with visitors this summer – while you’ll also sail under the famous Pont Neuf bridge, the oldest standing bridge in Paris. Just be sure to avoid the day of the games’ opening ceremony, which will see boats full of the best athletes in the world float down the Parisian river.

4. Peruse the Grand Mosque of Paris

A mosque some say is more glorious than the Arc de Triomphe – and that’s no easy feat - the Grand Mosque of Paris is an active place of worship that is open to visitors (except on Fridays and Muslim holidays).

Having opened in 1926, its geometric mosaics, white columns and intricately engraved archways make for some of the most beautiful architecture in the city, while walking through the tiled central courtyards and gardens will make you feel like you’re in Marrakesh. For an extra special treat, women can also enjoy a massage and a steam at the mosque’s on-site hammam, but no men are allowed.

For the more adventurous traveller, there’s no quieter place to see Paris than from the sky. Short but sweet, a ten-minute ride on the Ballon de Paris Generali - the world's largest balloon at 150 metres altitude – will take you over the Eiffel Tower and other emblematic monuments, while raising awareness about air quality all at the same time. Built in 2005, the balloon changes colour depending on the city's ambient air quality ranging from good to extremely bad.

6. Take a Guided Eiffel Tower Climb

If you must visit the Eiffel Tower during your visit, a guided climb is the most efficient way to do it. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll make your way up its 674 stairs over the space of three to four hours, learning all about the tower's engineering and some daredevil stunts that made history. Feeling brave? You can even step out on the first level's transparent floor, where you can look down upon the forecourt below.

In general, to feel more comfortable, it's best to visit at the end of the day after 5 PM, or even in the evening, when most of the tourists have started packing into the city’s best bars.

7. Marvel At The Sacré-Cœur Basilica

A great Notre Dame alternative, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica sits on top of the highest hill in Paris’ bohemian Montmartre neighbourhood. Recognised by its picturesque white domes, not only does it house vast mosaic ceilings and beautiful stained-glass windows, but this Roman Catholic church also affords some of the best views over the city. Note that while the basilica opens at 6:30am for visitors, the dome - which offers said views - doesn’t open until 10am.