Paris 2024 Olympics: 12 maps to understand everything in the XXL montage of the opening ceremony, from June 17 to July 26

An entire (ephemeral) stadium is to be built in the heart of the city for the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Games, on Friday 26 July in the evening. Equivalent, in number of spectators, to five Stade de France, or more than 300,000 people spread over a 6 km long route, along the Seine. A unique show that requires the assembly of racks, decorative elements and other technical equipment.

This XXL montage starts on June 17, more than a month before the big river parade where around a hundred boats will sail with athletes and delegations on board. An extraordinary challenge. If preparations begin this early, it is with the aim of “sustaining its use” and “being as limited as possible in impact over time”, emphasizes Paris 2024, the organizer. “We tried to collect as many interventions as possible. »

First traffic restrictions from 1 July

The first installation operations will begin at the port of Gros Cailloux, on the left bank, near the Alexandre-III bridge, specifically the epicenter of the water events. Then, the following week, the site’s rights will be extended to the low platforms as well as the high platforms. “It is the beginning of the assembly of high platforms, but it does not close to road traffic”, assures Pierre Rabadan, Anne Hidalgo’s deputy for the Games. “We work on the pavements, the developments, we put in equipment. »

From 1 July, areas begin to be completely closed to traffic, such as the Conference Harbor and Quai des Saints-Pères. As of this date, “we have not yet worked on the bridges,” notes Paris 2024. “Their importance in the Paris traffic plan is crucial.”

After July 14, the home stretch starts

It is when the 14th of July festivities have passed that the right of way will expand greatly and the traffic restrictions will be multiplied, in the last part of the assembly of this opening ceremony that will be followed by 2 billion viewers. “We are closing a certain number of platforms, we are starting interventions on the bridges,” continues the organizing committee. The stands are the most important infrastructure.

In the four days leading up to the huge show, the setup will be almost complete. “The change on the high quays really happens on July 15,” continues Pierre Rabadan. Traffic will be largely restricted from July 18, the date of entry into force of the security limits described this Thursday by Laurent Nuñez, police prefect of Paris, during a press conference.