As Audrey Hepburn once said, “Paris is always a good idea”—and indeed, the French capital is so well-visited that one may wonder why it even needs to be mentioned at all. Yet, as it gears up to host the 2024 Olympics, the City of Light is shining brighter than ever. There will be swimming in the Seine, beach volleyball at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and a marathon start at the Hôtel de Ville’s grand historic square. (“Because Paris is not like any other city, it deserves every honor,” reads the official Paris Olympic website. “The Games in the capital city promise a complete spectacle, thought out for the athletes, spectators and television audiences.”)
And, because this is Paris, even athletics are done fashionably. The games as a whole are sponsored by the luxury conglomerate LVMH, who will tap their many fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands to support the international event. (Chaumet will design the Olympic and Paralympic medals, for example, while Moët Hennessy wines and spirits maisons will provide alcohol for the official hospitality events. And one can only wonder about the official uniform…) Meanwhile, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is staging the exhibition “Mode et Sport, d’un podium à l’autre” (Fashion and Sports: from one podium to another), which runs through April 2024.
Need another reason? Over the past few months, Paris has welcomed a number of notable new boutique hotels, from the Martin Brudnizki-designed Le Grand Mazarin in the Marais to the Belle-Époque-inspired Château des Fleurs. —E.T.
Galicia, Spain
Photo: Getty Images