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France is one of the hottest destinations of 2024, thanks to an exciting line-up of prestigious events scheduled for the northern hemisphere summer. From superb sporting spectacles to iconic cultural occasions, these are the top eight summer events to look forward to if you’re planning a holiday in France this year:
As one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments to captivate tennis fans around the world each year, the French Open is an incredible spectacle of sporting prowess. The electric atmosphere at Roland-Garros Stadium in Paris is almost as thrilling as the tennis itself, which regularly attracts the biggest names in the game.
Matches typically start late morning and run into the evening, and the highlight of the tournament is the final weekend when the men’s and women’s champions are decided. Tickets are highly sought after, so even if you can’t make it this year, now is a great time to start making plans if you are hoping to attend the 2025 event.
The historic Old Town of Le Mans is an enchanting world of narrow, cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, while the city’s eleventh-century cathedral is a marvel of flying buttresses and stained-glass windows. History lovers can explore the remains of ancient Roman baths and fortified walls, or gaze at the exquisite art collection contained in its fine arts museum.
However, despite all these temptations, the city’s main drawcard is its car racing heritage and the iconic 24-hour race that marked its 100th anniversary in 2023. Join motorsports fans from all over the world to witness the spectacle of high-performance cars and drivers testing their skill and endurance on the challenging Circuit de la Sarthe course.
One of the most prestigious events on the global fashion calendar, Paris Fashion Week adds an extra layer of gloss and glamour to a city that’s already an icon of style. It’s an opportunity to sneak a preview at the latest collections from the major fashion houses such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dior, as well as spotting emerging fashion talents looking to gain international recognition.
Whether you’re into haute couture or ready-to-wear, the fashion on the runway is only part of the picture: celebrity spotting is an essential side quest to your fashion experience. Breathtaking Parisian locations like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower frequently provide the backdrop for the shows, and although many are accessible by invitation only, you’ll find there are plenty of parties, exhibitions and pop-up events that will provide you with an enticing entrée into the world of high fashion.
For more than 40 years, the city’s Marche des Fiertés LGBT (Paris Pride) has served as a platform for raising awareness of LGBTQI+ issues and celebrating the diversity and inclusiveness of the city’s rainbow community. The parade, which is one of the largest and most colourful pride events in Europe, usually begins at the Place de la Concorde and passes some of the most recognisable landmarks in Paris en route to the Place de la République.
Surrounded by hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators in attendance, you’ll find yourself swept up in the carnival atmosphere, marvelling at the elaborate costumes and floats. It’s an epic conclusion to a fortnight of Pride-related events, which includes exhibitions, conferences, concerts and parties.
The French national holiday dates back to the eighteen century, and celebrates a symbolic turning point in the French Revolution. In Paris, the party begins with a military parade that traditionally proceeds along the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, followed by a thrilling flyover by the French military aerobatics team. It’s a good idea to arrive early if you want to secure a good vantage point of the military regiments and vehicles.
Although some Paris attractions are closed for the public holiday, others (including the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay) offer reduced admission rates in honour of this special day. Treat yourself to a festive picnic lunch in the Jardin du Luxembourg, followed by a cruise on the Seine, and then head to one of the traditional Firemen’s Balls, held in fire stations across the city. Grand fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower provides an epic conclusion to a most memorable day in the French capital.
This most iconic of cycle races traditionally concludes with a ceremonial final leg in Paris, although in 2024, for the first time since the event began in 1903, it will instead finish in Nice. It will also be the first time that the race has begun in Italy, with the first leg beginning in Florence and finishing in Rimini. Over the following 23 days, you can follow the excitement as they progress through gruelling alpine climbs, thrilling high-speed descents and ‘anything could happen’ sprint sections.
Following the race throughout its 3492-kilometre length is an essential bucket list experience – whether you’re a dedicated cycle fan or not, it’s impossible not to be caught up in the excitement of this unique event.
The Paris 2024 Olympics is sure to be a sensational celebration of sport, culture, and international unity, set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most beautiful and historic cities. Many of Paris’ most beloved landmarks will provide the setting for the events: you’ll be able to watch beach volleyball by the Eiffel Tower, open-water swimming in the River Seine, and equestrian events in the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.
From traditional Olympic events like track and field, fencing and gymnastics to more contemporary disciplines like sport climbing and breaking (which is making its Olympic debut in 2024), you’ll have a wide array of sporting spectacles to choose from.
Many of the same venues will feature in the Paralympics, which take place while the world is still abuzz from the Olympics, including the iconic Stade de Paris which will host the opening and closing ceremonies for both events. It’s an incredible opportunity to watch athletes at the top of their respective games competing in a variety of sports, ranging from wheelchair basketball and swimming to taekwondo and badminton.
Alongside the two Olympiads, Paris is promising to deliver a spectator event like no other, with an extensive array of cultural highlights including exhibitions, live performances and interactive installations. You’ll be able to take in the sporting action at fan zones across the city, and at night, light shows and projections on historic buildings will add to the party atmosphere.
The stunning coastline, historic architecture and vibrant culture of the French Riviera are set to provide a fresh challenge for the women competing in the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship. The famous Promenade des Anglais on the Nice waterfront is the ideal vantage point from which to watch the athletes embark on the swim portion of the race, before they take on a gruelling but incredibly scenic cycle into the hills of the Côte d’Azur. The final leg of the race is a spectator-friendly marathon along the Nice shoreline.
For competitors, entry to the race is by invitation only, based on their performance in previous Ironman events. For spectators, it’s a chance to watch world-class athletes battle against each other and the demanding terrain, set against the stunning landscapes of sparkling water and picturesque hills.
From thrilling sporting achievements to poignant moments of reflection, each of these memorable events is sure to add an extra sprinkling of je ne sais quoi to your French holiday, or inspire you to add something new to your future travel bucket list. Our travel agents are experts at weaving special events and sporting occasions into unforgettable holiday experiences.
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