Heading to Paris for the Olympics and Paralympics? Here are 6 things to know before you go.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re planning a trip Paris this summer to enjoy the Olympics and Paralympics. That’s great! To help you prepare, travel health and safety expert Yvan Vallasse shares a few tips so you can make the most of your trip.
If you are reading this, chances are you are heading to Paris this summer to enjoy the Olympics and Paralympics. That’s great! Here are a few tips to help you enjoy a safe trip.
The Safer Tourism Foundation recently published the Travel Behaviours Risk Index, introducing the concept of the “Holiday Head”: or our propensity to perceive risk and behave differently when we travel than we would when we are at home.
How does this relate to your Paris plans, you ask? Well, travelling to a European city such as Paris, or most places in France, may unconsciously seem like a safe bet, where indulging in the food and atmosphere should be priority number one. Correct! But you should also keep these six tips at the top of your mind to help you stay safe and well during your trip. If there’s one thing we’ve learned about the ‘Holiday Head’, it’s that we all tend to think differently when we’re away from home!
Check ahead - travel disruptions or restrictions could affect your plans
Make sure to check planned transport disruption and road closures, as well as having proper IDs and necessary tickets to access the city’s event restricted areas. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing and consider city bikes Velib’ to move around (wear a helmet!).
Check the FCO’s website for advice before travelling abroad, as well as France’s advice on preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics (Government website, Paris 2024 website).
Cities in the summer are hotter than you expect
Prepare for high temperatures and remember to stay hydrated through the day. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to have a drink of water! It’s important to hydrate regularly to avoid dehydration, more so on hot days! The NHS recommends 1.2 to 2.5L of water per day in regular UK weather. Aim to drink more more during hot summer weather to avoid heatstroke.
Balcony selfies, hygiene and safety in holiday accommodation
It might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but balconies can pose a risk to travellers, particularly as Parisian balconies are expected to get crowded during the Olympics and concerns have been raised over potential risk of collapse. Check that any balcony in your accommodation looks of sound and sturdy construction (keep an eye out for rust, missing pieces or cracks) and avoid congregating or partying on them. Always supervise children around balconies and consider using any safety features provided in the accommodation, such as balustrade screens and door restrictors. And no selfies leaning back against the balustrade! The same goes for windows...
Keep hygiene in mind when you first check into any accommodation and check furniture, bedding and linens for any signs of bedbugs before settling in! NHS advice pages have plenty of useful info should you come across any or get bit.
Fire and gas safety tend to be overlooked during travel, but there are a few basic tips that make it easier to be prepared! Check the emergency escape plan in your accommodation (they are usually on the back of hotel room doors, or in welcome packs) and be aware of your closest emergency route in any venues. It may surprise you to see that a lot of the time, it’s not the same way you came in! Also consider bringing your own portable smoke detector/carbon monoxide detectorThey don’t cost much and they’re available online –and they could save your life. Carbon monoxide is odourless and invisible, and although fatalities are rare, they do happen. An alarm is the best way to protect yourself in case of emergency.
Keep your wits about you
Smartphones, IDs, wallets... the things that could help you most if you find yourself in trouble are also the likeliest to be stolen! Be mindful of your surroundings, particularly in busy or crowded areas, and any riders on e-bikes or mopeds that seem to linger around. The Paris Metro is also notorious for pickpocketing and phone snatching just as the train doors are closing.
Look after your family, particularly young children, when out and about and in crowded areas. Consider preparing contact cards for children to carry, in case they get lost or separated from you.
Bookings and ticketing, by the book
While it might feel easier or a better bargain to circumvent official booking and ticketing platforms... it could get you into more trouble than it is worth.
Book directly with trusted hotels, property managers or travel agencies, particularly if you are staying in a holiday rental or self-catering property. They will usually include insurance with their services and are there to help you if there are any issues including scams and fraud; but only if you book through them!
Avoid ticket resellers! It may seem like a bargain or a justifiable solution to get into an event you desperately want to attend. But if it seems too good to be true – it probably is. And it’s not worth the risk of getting scammed into trouble with event organisers.
Enjoy your time in France!
Paris and the rest of France have a lot to offer for pretty much everyone. If you have the time, why not explore the mountains in the Pyrenees, the Alps or the Massif Central, or head to the Mediterranean beaches of the French Riviera and the quieter Occitanie. Closer to Paris, you could indulge in some wine-tasting and take in the castles of the Loire Valley, or even spend a day at Disneyland Paris... You may even be able to catch the Tour de France if you want to double up on the sporting action!
Take the time to enjoy the city and its surroundings too. The Arènes de Lutèce, or the Canal St Martin are just a couple of options that could offer a quieter experience, away from the crowds and major tourist sites; just enough to refuel and recharge so you can get back to your Olympic and Paralympic adventure!
Get more travel safety tips on the Safer Tourism Foundation website.
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About the author:
Yvan Valasse is a French, Mexican and British travel safety expert with over 10 years of helping travellers enjoy safer trips. He has led teams and organisations through travel industry risk management and enhancing the protection of online travel marketplaces, globally.
Yvan currently splits his time between London and France. Follow him on LinkedIn!