8 Must-See Spots in the Marais to Discover the Real Paris
The first time I strolled through the Marais, it was clear that this was the district that embodied a new-bohemian — and slightly…
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Visiting Paris for the summer of 2024? The Olympic Games will affect some tours and travel plans, so it’s important to stay up to date on what’s open, how to get to places you plan to visit, and any requirements for travel. Please note that dates in this guide are subject to change — please check official sites for information about individual attractions and opening times.
The Paris Olympics will be held at various places around the capital from July 26 to Aug. 11, 2024. The Paralympic Games follow from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
Before, during, and after those events, there will be disruptions in the city that can affect tourists: security perimeters, stadium builds, changes to traffic flow.
In particular, areas along the Seine will have traffic limitations, including road closures and blocked pedestrian access. And access to some attractions will be limited to those who have proof of prior registration to visit them (via a QR code — more on this below).
Click any of the links below to jump ahead to the related section.
- Eiffel Tower Tour Details
- Notre Dame Tour Details
- Louvre Tour Details
- Latin Quarter Tour Details
- If You Can’t Tour the Eiffel Tower
- QR Codes for Paris Travel
- FAQs
- More Resources
What to know for your tour
We wrote this mainly for our guests taking an ExperienceFirst tour this summer, but if you’re another traveler to Paris, welcome! Check out our Paris tours — we’d love to show you around the city!
For our guests, below is detailed information for the main tours (and their related attractions or areas) affected by the Olympics.
Eiffel Tower tours
Our Eiffel Tower tours will be closed from July 18 through July 26 due to the Summer Olympic Games. The Eiffel Tower itself will be closed some days as well, and this is subject to change based, so be sure to check the latest info if you’re planning to go on your own.
For recommendations on what to see when the Eiffel Tower or our Eiffel Tower tours are closed, skip ahead to that section below.
Notre Dame tours
If you want to visit the Notre Dame cathedral, you’ll need a QR code. While the interior isn’t open due to the tragic fire in 2019, there is a viewing platform and a lot to see outside.
You can read more about QR codes needed for Paris attractions during the Olympics below, but we’ve also sent detailed instructions to guests on how to get these. Registering for your QR code is urgent since it can up to 14 days to process.
Our Notre Dame Outdoor Walking Tour will be closed on some days due to the Olympics. We’ll keep our calendar of availability updated on the tour page. You can check availability anytime by clicking the “Check Availability” button.
Louvre tours
Guests no longer need a QR code to access the Louvre museum and grounds. Just bring the Louvre ticket we email to you in advance, and you’ll be set.
Please note that that there is the possibility that the Louvre and therefore our Louvre tours will be closed on some days due to the Olympics. If so, we’ll update guests as soon as we know.
Latin Quarter Walking Tour
Guests on our Latin Quarter Walking Tour will need a QR code from July 18-26 since this area of Paris is very close to Olympics locations.
We’ll be adjusting the Latin Quarter tour itinerary slightly to accommodate some of the changes due to the Summer Olympics. The new meeting point and more details will be sent to customers via email. But either way, we can promise you’ll have an amazing and thorough 90-minute guided tour of this historic neighborhood on the left bank of the Seine.
What to do if you can’t tour the Eiffel Tower
As mentioned above, we’re not running our Eiffel Tower tours (guided climbs or elevator tours) July 18-26 due to the Paris Olympics, and the Eiffel Tower itself will be closed some days as well.
But there are many icons in Paris — one with an even better view that actually includes the tower! — you can experience while you’re here.
If you find yourself in Paris and can’t tour the Eiffel Tower, we have some other suggestions for memorable experiences. In fact, even if you can see the Eiffel Tower, you may want to do one of these anyway for a different perspective.
For the best views of Paris
The Eiffel Tower is famous because it’s, well, the Eiffel Tower. But everyone pretty much agrees it’s not the place to go for the best views of Paris. For one, there’s no view of the Eiffel Tower when you’re standing on the actual tour.
For a postcard-perfect view of the tower and the rest of Paris, try Montparnasse Tower. The city’s only skyscraper, the building measures nearly 690 feet (210 meters) tall with an observation deck at the top.
Our Montparnasse tour includes a walking tour of the historic neighborhood with stories of the 1920s Cafe Society, the French Resistance, and more. It culminates in a visit to the tower where your guide will ride with you up to the rooftop and point out landmarks — including the Eiffel Tower — all over Paris.
For a very different but equally beautiful viewpoint, visit Montmartre. This hill on the northern edge of the city provides a panoramic view of Paris. Walk up quaint streets to the Place du Tertre, busy with French painters and portraitists. Walk up a bit more and you’ll reach the Sacré-Cœur Basilica — this is the overlook you want.
Go with a local and you’ll also see the last remaining vineyard in Paris, hear the colorful history of the Moulin Rouge, and learn about French food culture.
To escape the crowds
Along with the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the other major attractions of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is pretty much always crowded. We anticipate during the 2024 Olympics, on the days it’s open, that it will be very crowded.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower is certainly a classic experience when you’re in Paris, but if you want to dodge the crowds, there are places off the beaten path where you can have an authentic Parisian experience without being elbow to elbow with fellow tourists.
For a glimpse of what we like to call “le vrai Paris” — the real Paris — visit charming Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Our walking tour through this neighborhood is quintessentially French, filled with cobblestone streets, sidewalk cafes, historic churches (including the oldest in Paris), and stories of Jazz Age artists.
Discover the cultural heart of Paris — far away from the tourist crowds.
Or for no crowds at all, sign up for our Authentic French Baking Experience. In this two-hour immersive experience, your journey is a culinary one rather than a walking tour as you learn the art of bread-making firsthand in a working Parisian bakery.
Learn how to laminate dough, shape baguettes, achieve the best crumb, and butter the many layers of a croissant. As you do, you’ll get a sneak peek into the history of French baking. And of course, there are sweet and savory tastings along the way to keep you energized.
Our Montmartre Walking Tour can also be a good option to escape the hustle and bustle in the center of Paris.
Montmartre is popular as a tourist attraction in its own right, so don’t expect empty streets, but because it’s outside the city center, it’s naturally a little less crowded.
QR codes for travel during the Paris Olympics
Not every attraction in Paris will require a QR code for admittance.
The system of having a QR code for popular attractions was set up by the city to keep everyone safe and ensure smooth movements throughout Paris during the busy Olympic Games.
The city has implemented perimeters around some important monuments, called the “Grey Zone.” For access to this restricted area, you need to be able to show you have a reason to be there, such as for the purpose of attending a tour. This is what the QR codes let you do.
When you get to the perimeter, you’ll be asked to show proof of permission to enter in the form of a QR code called a Pass Jeux (which translates to Games Pass, if you’re curious).
You need to apply for the code at least two weeks before arrival — but more than 15 days is preferable — to allow for processing time. Although sometimes it can be processed quicker, that’s not guaranteed.
You can apply for the Pass Jeux online, but if you booked a tour with us, we also sent you an email with instructions as well as helpful tips to submit your application from our own experience. There are a few gotchas, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you.
If your QR code doesn’t arrive in time for your tour, please remember to cancel at least 24 hours prior to departure, and we will cancel you free of charge.
FAQs about Paris travel and your tour
Here’s the info you need to know before you visit. We’ll be adding to this FAQ list as we go (and as our guests ask more questions), so be sure to check back as we’ll be updating this page.
What if I’m late for my tour?
We strongly encourage — even urge — you to arrive extra early for your tour. For most of our tours, we recommend arriving 15 minutes before the start of your tour, but during the Paris Olympics travel season, we recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early.
There will be extra congestion on public transit and in the streets, as well as the chance for detours due to route closures. You don’t want to be rushing to try to make your tour, and if you arrive late, odds are you won’t be able to catch up.
Arriving early avoids all this stress, so plan to get there a half hour before your tour start time. Be sure to check your meeting point on your confirmation email. You can also find it on the related Paris tours page.
What’s the cancellation policy?
We offer a full refund up to 24 hours before your tour if you need to cancel. You can also reschedule your tour during this time for no additional fee.
Within 24 hours of your tour, we can’t offer refunds since we’ve already incurred costs on our end. However, we understand the Summer Olympics will be an unusually busy time, and guests are more likely to miss their tour for one reason or another. Despite planning, life happens.
For this reason, we’re offering a credit for the full price of the tour good in any of our destinations (NYC, LA, Barcelona, and more) for up to three years. Guests who’ve booked a tour during the 2024 Summer Olympics and who miss their tour can apply for this credit by contacting customer service.
What if I don’t have my QR code to enter the restricted area?
If you don’t have the QR code, called the Pass Jeux, for your specific attraction or location, we won’t be able to help you enter the perimeter. City officials will be set up along those perimeters and checking passes. If you arrive without your pass, you will miss your tour. If you don’t have it at least 24 hours before your tour, you can cancel your tour for a full refund.
If you arrive without a QR code and are denied entry, you can still contact customer service as soon as possible, and we will try to move you to another tour in the city with your credit from your missed tour.
For missed tours due to complications with the Summer Olympic Games, we’ll offer a travel credit good for 3 years from your tour date.
Will I be able to get to the tour meeting point even with the road closures for the Olympics?
Yes, you will be able to get to our meeting point.
However, there are lots of closures due to the Olympics on both roads and metro stations. We recommend you leave plenty of time to arrive at the meeting point, arriving at least half an hour before the scheduled departure.
Can you watch the Paris Olympics for free?
So you’ll be in Paris during the Olympics and want to see if you can catch any of the events? Good news! You can view some of the Olympics events for free. Afar has a great guide covering the free events so you can see if any fit your schedule.
More resources for your Paris Olympics visit
This might seem like a lot of info, but you’re going to have a great time here in Paris, and we’re here to make your visit special in every way.
For advice on how to travel around the city this summer as well as a map of the various zones, check out the office of tourism’s guide to getting around Paris. For the latest information about the Eiffel Tower closures for the Olympics, hours, and more, visit their guide to visiting the tower during the games.
If you have questions about your tour, contact our customer service team via the chat at the bottom of our tour pages like our Paris tours page or contact us by phone or email.
Congratulations on your upcoming visit to Paris during an iconic moment in history. It’s going to be incredible. We can’t wait to welcome you to the City of Light during the 2024 Paris Olympics!
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