To showcase their cultures and support their athletes, several nations have set up “Olympic houses” in Paris. Open to the public, they allow people to follow the events, often in a festive atmosphere.
On the occasion of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the French capital is hosting a multitude of “Olympic houses” set up by different nations. These temporary places, open to the public, offer an immersion into the cultures and traditions of each country, while allowing you to experience the sporting competitions in a festive atmosphere. From the prestigious Champs-Élysées district to the Maison de la Chimie, nearly 30 nations have chosen to celebrate this global event by investing in the city.
These “houses” offer rich and diverse programs: live broadcasts of the events, culinary specialties and cultural events. While some, like the Team USA House, require a relatively high entrance fee (350 euros), many are free or have more affordable rates (from 5 to 30 euros). Curious, we decided to visit some of them. Moments of (sporting) emotion guaranteed.
France
The giant screen of the Grande Halle de la Villette at the Club France. Maelenn Le Gorrec / Le Figaro
Located in the heart of the Grande Halle de la Villette, in the 19th arrondissement, Club France is a must-see for fans of sports and French culture. Throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games, visitors can follow the events on giant screens, meet athletes, and try their hand at various sports disciplines such as badminton, archery, and wheelchair rugby. In a friendly atmosphere, the stands offer a variety of experiences: admire the outfits of French athletes created by Berluti, try on a French fencing mask, or discover the secrets of athletes’ diets.
- Dates and times : from July 27 to August 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. for the Olympic Games, and from August 29 to September 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. for the Paralympic Games.
- The address: The Grande Halle de la Villette, 211 Av. Jean Jaurès, 19th arrondissement. Metro: Porte de Pantin (line 5), Porte de la Villette (line 7) or RER E – Rosa Parks.
- The strong point : the photo with the “real” Olympic or Paralympic torches.
- The price : €5 during the Olympic period, free during the Paralympic period. Reservations recommended on the Club France ticket office.
- Restoration : bars and street food stands, with self-service water fountains.
South Korea
K-pop concerts take place on certain evenings in the garden of the Maison de la Corée. Jean-Marc De Jaeger / Le Figaro
Korean culture fascinates the French. It’s no wonder that the Korean National Tourism Office has thought (very) big by investing in several spaces of the Maison de la Chimie, located a stone’s throw from Les Invalides. From the entrance, the Korea House immerses us in a hyper-colorful universe where posters of Parasite and music videos by BTS and Blackpink highlight K-culture hits. Photo booths, popular among young Koreans, are just as popular here, judging by the queues. People also line up to get their faces painted, wear hanboks (traditional clothing) or play on an arcade machine. On some nights, K-pop concerts electrify the atmosphere. For those who would like to visit the Land of the Morning Calm, tourist information booths are available to provide information on Seoul, Busan, Jeonju, Andong and Gangneung.
- Dates and times: from July 25 to August 11 (except August 10) from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closing at midnight on certain evenings).
- The address: House of Chemistry, 28 Rue Saint-Dominique, 7th arrondissement. Metro: Invalides.
- The strong point : a personalized souvenir badge with his name and photo, in the colors of the Olympic Games and Korea.
- The price: free, reservation required on the website teamkoreahouse.co.kr.
- Restoration : Korean food stalls offering mandu (dumplings), jumeokbap (rice balls), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), etc., for €10.
New Zealand
At the Marriott Hotel, you can send a video of support to the New Zealand athletes. Mélanie Tuyssuzian / Le Figaro
Discreetly installed within the Marriott hotel on the Champs-Élysées, New Zealand’s “Olympic home” welcomes visitors in a decor marked by Maori motifs. A direct dive into the world of the All Blacks nation. On the terrace, it is possible to taste New Zealand wines while following the sporting events. The pavilion collaborates with the Domaine Villa Maria located in the country’s wine region, Marlboroughsoutheast of Auckland, famous for its high-end wines like Sauvignon Blanc. Stop at the souvenir stand to buy, among other things, an official jersey or a key ring with the image of the “ponga” (Māori silver fern), the symbol of the country. Much cheaper than a plane ticket.
- Dates and times: from July 27 to August 11, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Closed during the Paralympic period.
- The address: Marriott Hotel, 70 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 8th arrondissement. Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- The strong point : a QR Code to send video messages of support to New Zealand athletes.
- The price: free, no reservation required. For souvenirs, prices vary, expect 40 euros for a cap and 130 for a jersey.
- Restoration : New Zealand snacks and wines, from €10.
Switzerland
The Swiss House has taken up residence in the garden of the Swiss Embassy in Paris 7th arrondissement. Sophie Vincelot / Le Figaro
It is one of the rare Olympic houses installed on the Left Bank. The Swiss House has taken up residence in the garden of the Swiss Embassy, in the 7th arrondissement. The immense structure draped in red, offers stands highlighting Swiss brands such as Swatch and On. Created in 2010, the latter has been adopted by many athletes, including Roger Federer and Iga Swiatek. An exhibition entitled Swiss connections celebrates Franco-Swiss friendship through historical objects. An opportunity to explore five centuries of history and discover the different Swiss regions through objects linked to personalities such as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry or Niki de Saint Phalle. While having a drink and nibbling on some local specialties, visitors can follow the events on screens and take part in various events, including concerts.
- Dates and times : from July 24 to August 11 (every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.), and from August 27 to September 8 (Monday to Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.).
- Address : Embassy of Switzerland in France, 142 rue de Grenelle, 7th arrondissement. Metro: Invalides (lines 8 and 13, RER C), Assemblée nationale (line 12).
- The strong point : comfortable facilities (deckchairs and huge cushions) for watching the competitions.
- The price : free, without reservation.
- Restoration : Swiss specialties such as röstis and malakoffs, not forgetting Paleta Loca artisanal ice creams.
And also
These “Olympic houses” offer a unique opportunity to discover cultures from around the world while experiencing the excitement of sporting competitions. Beyond our selection, several other sites are accessible free of charge throughout the Olympic Games: the “Africa Station” on Île Saint-Denis, the “Casa Colombia”, the “Casa Mexico” and the “Taiwan Pavilion” in the Parc des Nations, the “United Arab Emirates Olympic House” at the Pavillon Cambon Capucines and the “Polish House” at the Pavillon Royal de Neuilly. All the “houses” are on the Paris city hall website.
