Paris Olympics

The clock’s counting down to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, and we’re ready to go for gold! 🥇 Shoutout to the Tokyo Olympics 🇯🇵 in 2021… can you believe it’s Olympiad time again?! Most of us narrowly missed qualifying for the championships (that was a close one, right? 😜), so visiting around the Paris Olympics dates may be the closest we get to winning a medal in our lifetime! (RIP childhood gymnastics career 😉)

Flytographer easily connects people with trusted photographers for fun photo shoots and has captured over four million memories worldwide. 🌎 The magic of Flytographer is both the experience and the photos. Explore the city with a fun, talented photographer and get wall-worthy photos to relive your trip, forever! 📸

Paris 🇫🇷 is one of the most popular Flytographer cities, and with the 2024 Summer Olympics being hosted there, we’re sharing the scoop from our local photographers so you can successfully capture your time in this magical city. Read on for the things you’ll need to know about the upcoming summer games before you arrive in France.

The Olympics organizing committee has designed 35 venue concepts in Paris for the Olympic and Paralympic Games; this idea of designing venues around landmarks has never been done on this scale anywhere in the world, and it’s pretty remarkable! 👏 (For more from Flytographer on the 2024 Paris Olympics dates and info check out our Ultimate Guide here!)

If you’re planning a trip to Paris in the coming months (basically May onward 🗓), it’s best to be prepared, and that’s what we’re here for! Although the games are scheduled to be held between July 14 and September 8, due to event preparation, many locations will be under construction 🚧 and inaccessible for months before the games begin. It’s particularly important to note that we’ll not be able to shoot in many popular locations from May through October. 🚫

Table of contents

• Timelines and schedule
• Transportation tips
• Routes that will be inaccessible starting in May
• Our favourite Paris routes that will be available
• 5 tips for having a great photo shoot during the Olympics in Paris

Photo: Leo in Paris for Flytographer. Roy and partner capture memories in Paris with a couples photoshoot at the Louvre Grounds.

Timelines and schedule

The projected Paris Olympics dates are as follows:

• May/June
  • Expect many locations to become inaccessible due to event venue construction and road closures
• July/August
  • July 14–15 – Olympic Torch Relay
  • July 25–August 11 – Olympic Games will be held (the opening ceremony will be held July 26, the closing ceremony August 11)
  • August 28–September 8 – Paralympic Games will be held
• September
  • Dismantling of temporary construction on all sites

Photo: Kirill in Paris for Flytographer. Ingrid captures memories in Paris with a solo adventure photoshoot at Île Saint-Louis & Notre Dame.

Transportation tips

Over 15 million visitors are expected to visit during the Paris Olympics dates, greatly impacting traffic as competition venues are scattered throughout the city. 🚥 Understandably, expect delays in public transit. Bus routes will be altered, and Paris Metros will be crowded. 🚇 Selected Metro stations will also be closed, as will several roads.

Motor vehicle access in a large radius around the Eiffel Tower will be regulated, and permission will be required to enter. If hiring a car, you should also plan ample time. ⏰

If you’re looking at locations where you should plan your Paris photo shoot, we highly recommend booking your shoot in the area you’re staying, with walking 🚶‍♀️ as the best transportation option!

Photo: Rachael in Paris for Flytographer. Robert and partner capture memories in Paris with a proposal photoshoot in Sacré Coeur & Montmartre.

Routes that will be inaccessible starting in May

• Trocadero, Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars – this is the most popular location for Eiffel Tower photos in Paris, but construction has already begun here, so be prepared for an adjustment of expectations. 🛑
• Alexandre III Bridge and the Grand Palais – this area will be entirely closed by the end of May. 🙅‍♀️
• Along the Seine – all the quais and banks along the Seine will be closed off at different dates in July for events and VIP sections. Pedestrians in most areas will require a purchased pass to enter and move through; exploring this area will be more complicated than you’d typically expect! 🫢
• Tuileries Gardens – the Tuileries Gardens next to the Place de la Concorde (one of the major public squares in Paris) will be restricted ❌ as this area will host a number of main events. Expect sections to be blocked off and/or closed entirely.

Photo: Krystal in Paris for Flytographer. Monica and partner capture memories in Paris with a couples photoshoot at the Louvre Grounds.

Our favourite Paris routes that will be available

We are following event news closely around Paris Olympics dates and will make any updates to this page as needed.

We’re currently still offering photo shoots at Bir Hakeim Bridge and Pont Alexander, along with our Must See Paris route for Eiffel Tower views until the end of May. As new information becomes available, we may need to adjust your booked route to accommodate any closures or construction. 👀 These routes will not be available after May, so here are our favourite alternatives for capturing memories in Paris.

Photo: Leo in Paris for Flytographer. Eugenia and family capture memories in Paris with a family photoshoot at Île Saint-Louis & Notre Dame.

1. Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre

Perched atop the historic hill of Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a stunning monument with sweeping views of Paris. 🤩 This route is filled with Parisian beauty, incredible views, and artistic magic as you stroll the hilly, romantic neighbourhood of Montmartre with its many picturesque cafés and winding cobblestoned streets. 🎨

Photo: Rachael in Paris for Flytographer. Taylor and partner capture memories in Paris with a couples photoshoot in Sacré Coeur & Montmartre.

2. Louvre Grounds

Surround yourself with the architectural splendour of the Louvre and its grounds. Originally built as a fortress and later converted into a royal residence, this massive palatial complex comprises several buildings organized around courtyards and featuring various architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. 🏰 With an early morning shoot at the Louvre Grounds, you can stroll along the Seine, stopping for some photos along the way. For photoshoots after 8:00 AM, delight in a walk through the landscaped grounds of Palais Royale, a 17th-century palace with its large fountain, tree-lined walkways, and flowerbeds. 🌷🌷

Photo: Rachael in Paris for Flytographer. Meghan and family capture memories in Paris with a family photoshoot at the Louvre Grounds.

3. La Marais

Welcome to the charming neighborhood of Le Marais in Paris, where history meets contemporary chic around every corner. This vibrant district is a dream, boasting a unique blend of old world streets, elegant architecture, and trendy boutiques. Wander through its cobblestone lanes lined with centuries-old buildings adorned with colorful detailings. Le Marais offers an abundance of photogenic spots waiting to be discovered. From the historic Place des Vosges to the bustling Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, every corner of this neighborhood tells a story, making it an ideal setting for capturing Parisian charm. ✨

Photo: Rachael in Paris for Flytographer. Jennifer and partner capture memories in Paris with a pre-wedding photoshoot at La Marais.

4. The Latin Quarter

Steeped in history and brimming with youthful energy, the Latin Quarter neighborhood is a treasure trove of photogenic charm. From the grandeur of the Sorbonne University to the quaint cobblestone streets lined with bustling cafes and bookshops 📚, every corner of the Latin Quarter exudes an undeniable allure. Capture the essence of Parisian bohemian chic as you wander through hidden courtyards with ivy-covered walls and stumble upon charming squares filled with street performers and artists. 🎭 Let the Latin Quarter be the stage for your photoshoot adventure in the heart of Paris during the Paris Olympics dates!

Photo: Rachael in Paris for Flytographer. Jamie and partner capture memories in Paris with an anniversary photoshoot at The Latin Quarter.

5. Île Saint-Louis and Notre-Dame

The Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité are two natural islands on the river Seine. 📍 The upscale Île Saint-Louis captures views of the classic Haussmannian apartments along the Seine, and the neighbouring Île de la Cité is where you’ll find the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral. Longer bookings may cross one of the bridges to explore either the Left Bank with the famed, bohemian Latin Quarter, full of unique shops and cafés, or the Right Bank with Le Marais, overflowing with old-world goodness. 😍

Photo: Rachael in Paris for Flytographer. Natasha and family capture memories in Paris with a family photoshoot at Île Saint-Louis & Notre Dame.

6. Emily in Paris

If enthusiastic sightseeing were a women’s Olympic sport, some of us (moi! 🙋‍♀️) would take home at least a bronze medal… but since it’s not a new sport yet, we’ll go with the next best option: tracing Emily’s steps 👠 through the City of Lights to some of the series’ most photogenic locations.

Start at Gabriel’s restaurant (aka Bistro Terra Nera in real life) and capture its typically Parisian red facade. Right next door is the boulangerie where Emily took her famous selfie blissfully biting into a pain au chocolat. 🥐 A stone’s throw away is Emily’s apartment building facing the Place de l’Estrapade, a petit square with a lovely fountain. ⛲️ Afterwards you’ll head to the Pantheon – the Neoclassical monument in front of which Emily broke up with her American boyfriend, Doug, over the phone. 🤭

Hot tip! For more on the Emily in Paris filming locations check out this post!

Photo: Olga in Paris for Flytographer. Meghan and friend capture memories in Paris with a friends photoshoot along the Emily in Paris route.

7. Capture your Paris Era

Whether or not you’re catching one of Taylor’s Paris shows, you can still capture your Paris Era while you’re in the City of Love! 💖

Start your Taylor Swift–inspired photo tour ✨ at the Palais-Royal and its gardens, where Taylor sits on a bench in her “Begin Again” music video. Next, stop at the iconic Parisian restaurant, Le Grand Véfour. Wander the Rue de Beaujolais, the street Taylor walks down in her chic red pants with her bicycle and newfound French love interest. Follow that with some fabulous photos on the Pont des Arts, the bridge where Taylor starts the video. Just a stone’s throw away from the bridge is the hauntingly beautiful weeping willow that Taylor sits under, located in the Square du Vert-Galant. From there, take the Quai de Conti and pass under the Pont Neuf bridge, just like Taylor does. Next, stroll through Place de Furstenberg, the photogenic square that Taylor cycles through, wearing her chunky glasses and floral dress. You’ll finish up at La Palette café, where most of “Begin Again” takes place, to toast the photo tour with a cappuccino. ☕️

Photo: Olga in Paris for Flytographer. Laura and friends capture memories in Paris with a friends photoshoot along the Taylor Swift inspired photo tour.

5 Tips for having a great photo shoot during the Olympics in Paris

1. Plan ahead

• Check news 📰 for updates on accessibility, using multiple information sources to cross-reference reliability.
• Plan your transportation – be sure to check schedules in advance, and again as you get closer to Paris Olympics dates! Remember that times of day and days of the week can impact schedules greatly. 🚍 Come prepared with a backup plan just in case you need to adjust at the last minute (packing a skateboard for faster transit is optional! 😆)

2. Be flexible

• Unexpected events, traffic, and/or closures will happen! 😅 Do your best to go with the flow; when unexpected situations arise, your photographer can suggest an alternative to capture the best of Paris. Remember: you’re not here to compete in a personal triathlon, so you’ve totally got this – deep breaths and a penchant for adaptability are the only prerequisites.

3. Choose a route away from Olympic venues

• Use our guide to choose a route that shows off the beauty of Paris without getting tangled in the midst of the chaos (i.e. the Stade de France is not recommended. 🏟🤣)

4. Shoot in the morning 

• Early-morning shoots mean less crowds, so even though some members of your party may not be early risers 🥱, we highly recommend an early start especially around the Paris Olympics dates! Look at it this way: you’ll get a serious jump on the crowds and be looking photo-ready for the day ahead! 

5. Give yourself lots of time to arrive

• With millions of extra visitors expected in the city, give yourself ample time to arrive at your meeting point early. (And by early, we mean even earlier than you might think!) Nothing feels as stressful as running late ⌛️ but mix that with crowds and being in a new area, and it can be an overwhelming feeling. We don’t want to break hearts or spirits, so trust us on this and give yourself lots of extra time! 

Photo: Mary in Paris for Flytographer. Alex and partner capture memories in Paris with a couples photoshoot in Sacré Coeur & Montmartre.

The gold medal goes to… you!

Exploring and enjoying one of the most incredible cities in the world and experiencing the Olympics mean you can cross at least two items off your bucket list! Whether it’s your first time in Paris or your 15th, those Olympic rings will send adrenaline and enthusiasm down your spine as you get ready to see Paris in a whole new light. From table tennis to track and field, trampoline to taekwondo, badminton to BMX racing… we may not all be ready to compete in Olympic sports, but some of us are SO READY to watch and analyze as it all goes down (like true armchair experts 📺 always are).

We can’t wait to celebrate and cheer on all those who are participating in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and we can’t wait to do the same for you… even if it’s “just” for a gold medal–worthy photo shoot! 🤳

For even more of our best Paris travel tips and tricks 💻 be sure to check out our Paris Travel Guide.

Au revoir! 😘