With a grand final parade this Saturday in Paris, on the Champs-Élysées and up to the Arc de Triomphe, France is preparing to celebrate its Olympic and Paralympic champions one last time.
As the Olympic and Paralympic Games of Paris 2024 have just ended, leaving behind unforgettable memories, the French capital wants to experience a last moment of communion with its athletes. On Saturday, September 14, Paris will host a parade, offering the French a final opportunity to celebrate the exploits of their champions.
This parade, wanted by Emmanuel Macron, should be the final touch to an exceptional sporting summer. It is intended not only as a tribute to the medal-winning athletes, but also as a thank you to all those who contributed to the success of these Games, from volunteers to organizers.
The parade program, which was unveiled this week, promises a grandiose event. The Champs-Élysées, Paris’s iconic thoroughfare, will be transformed into a gigantic red carpet to welcome the athletes’ parade. The latter will go up the famous avenue, offering spectators a rare proximity to their sporting heroes.
A “best-of” program of the Olympic ceremonies
The start time for the final parade of the Olympic Games has been set for 4 p.m. Volunteers will be the first to parade, followed by the athletes at around 5 p.m. and will continue until 6 p.m. The finish at Place de l’Etoile is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with an awards ceremony. The Arc de Triomphe will be the scene of a new moment of grace, after four opening and closing ceremonies acclaimed around the world. A 400-meter-long circular stage will be set up around the monument. The athletes will be decorated there by the President of the Republic, a solemn moment that will mark the nation’s recognition of their achievements.
But the party won’t stop there. The evening will continue with an exceptional concert starting at 9 p.m. Although the names of the artists have not yet been revealed, we can expect a star-studded lineup worthy of the ceremonies that have punctuated the summer. For night owls, DJs will take over from 11 p.m. to midnight, transforming the Place de l’Étoile into a gigantic open-air dance floor.
A particularly spectacular element of the evening will be the projection of images on both sides of the Arc de Triomphe. This staging will undoubtedly remind many of the celebrations of the victory of the French football team at the 1998 World Cup, thus creating a bridge between two historic moments in French sport.
Thierry Reboul, the creative director of the Paris 2024 Games, promises a show that will be a sort of artistic and musical “best of” of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This parade will therefore be an opportunity to relive the highlights of this sporting summer, while adding a unique final touch.
Free tickets, but essential… How to attend the parade?
For those wishing to attend this unique event, it is important to note that access will be free from 2pm on the Champs-Elysées. However, for security reasons, prior registration is required. Spectators will need a ticket to access the avenue, a reminder of the system in place for Club France during the Paralympic Games. This reservation system will help manage the crowds while ensuring everyone’s safety.
Online access to the ticket office will be open this Wednesday, the link will be revealed in the afternoon. It is also possible to obtain tickets by drawing lots, which aims to reward 2,500 members (5,000 places) of the Club Paris 2024. There will be 1,250 invitations for 2 people to attend the Parade on the Champs Elysées and 1,250 invitations for 2 people to attend the concert at Place de l’Étoile.
For those who cannot attend, the entire parade and show will be broadcast live on France Télévisions, from 4 p.m. until the end of the night.