Riviera Pebbles Blog: The Olympics return to France

Posted on 28th Sep 2017 in Nice News

A century after the 1924 Olympiad, the games return to Paris - and Nice

The Olympics are coming to Nice's Allianz Riviera stadium. Surely not? Well read on, because the International Olympic Committee has chosen Paris as the host for the 2024 summer games, with surprise additional events on the sun-licked Cote d'Azur.

France has longtime Olympic allure. The story started when Paris hosted the 1900 Summer Olympiad which included a breath-takingly bizarre roster of events. Think hot air ballooning, motorbike racing and a swimming obstacle race. Live pigeons were used as targets in the shooting event. We rarely curse on this sanguine property blog but really, WTF?

The French capital hosted another successful games in 1924. Some 17 events were held across town including at the Stade de Paris (football), the Piscine Tourelles (diving) and Issy-les-Moulineaux (shooting). Clay pigeons were used this time, thank goodness. The pistol-toting USA won gold.

Given that France’s tourism, transport and hospitality sectors performed so admirably during the EURO2016 football tournament, the country has been given the nod for 2024.

So what does this all mean for tourism in Nice? Quite a lot as it happens. For two big reasons.

Firstly, EURO2016 ushered in a tourism boom across France. Visitors popping into Paris to watch a semi-final extended their stay to see the Normandy beaches or the South of France. Each football-mad foreigner spent an average of €154 per day. Yes, some of it on booze. We advise you to plan your trip at least a year in advance.

Secondly, London2012 didn’t take place solely in London, nor is Paris2024 only about in the French capital. Aside from surfing on the River Seine and tennis at Roland Garros, sailing will be held in Marseille and golf in Versailles.

Nine nationwide venues have been earmarked for the EURO2024 men’s and women’s football tournament, many of them purpose built for EURO2016. These include Bordeaux's Nouveau Stade and Nice's Allianz Riviera. You never know, Theo Walcott may even be fit by then.

See you at the stands in 2024!