French President Emmanuel Macron has inaugurated the Olympic and Paralympic Village ahead of the upcoming summer games in Paris in an event that evoked pride and emotion from the head of state.  

Located around seven kilometres from the centre of the French capital, and less than five minutes from the Stade de France, the new purpose-built Olympic and Paralympic Village is a marvel to behold. 

SERVICES AND CONVENIENCES 

The 51-hectare compound is positioned in an overlap of the towns of Saint-Denis, Ile Saint-Denis and Saint-Ouen. 

Once the big event rolls around, a full 60% of participating Olympic athletes will be able to train on site and 85% accommodated in the park will be within 30 minutes of their competition venues.  

Additionally, there are recreational areas along the banks of the Seine, designed specifically to create a soothing and relaxing environment for the 6,000 inhabitants who are expected to be housed in the Village during the height of the Games, and heritage buildings like the Cité du Cinéma and Maxwell Hall have been integrated into the plans as the dining hall and fitness centre, café and information centre respectively.  

OFFICIAL OPENING 

On 29th February, the site was officially opened by President Emmanuel Macron, who was accompanied by France’s Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra. 

“I am very proud of all the work that has been done. It has been done on time, on budget,” said an emotional Macron. “It also is contributing to changing the lives of the people of this town, this department, this city, this region. Collectively we are all in the process of participating in the adventure of the century.”  

SECOND LIFE 

Once the Olympics are over, the Village will serve another worthy purpose: it will be transformed into social housing for the people of the area.  

“After the Games, 6,000 people will benefit from housing in the converted village, and as many employees will come to work there, thus realising our ambition for a sustainable and transformative Games for Seine-Saint-Denis,” said Oudéa-Castéra. 

Join the Monaco Life community – sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter, and follow us on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo source: Gouvernement.fr