Château de Versailles

The Château de Versailles, an iconic symbol recognised worldwide, illustrating France’s global reputation, will welcome the Olympic Games in a magnificent setting with a rich history. Initially built as a simple hunting lodge, the Château de Versailles was home to the court of Louis XIV in 1682 and became the epicentre of French royalty. From 1883, with its magnificent gardens, it became a national museum, open to the public, and it was the first French site to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, in 1979.

Thanks to overlay facilities, certain Paris 2024 events will be staged in a truly exceptional and historical setting. A temporary outdoor arena, flanked by several stands, will be set up on the Etoile Royale esplanade, to the west of the Grand Canal, at the heart of the Palace’s gardens. This arena will stage two eventing disciplines (dressage test and jumping), as well as the jumping and dressage competitions (Olympic and Paralympic). The individual and team eventing cross-country section will be held alongside the Grand Canal, while the five modern pentathlon events will also be organised at the Château de Versailles.

Capacity: 15,000 or 40,000 spectators, depending on the event.

What sports for Paris 2024?

Olympic Games:

Equestrian:

Eventing Individual (mixed)
Eventing Team (mixed)
Dressage Individual (mixed)
Dressage Team (mixed)
Jumping Individual (mixed)
Jumping Team (mixed)

Modern pentathlon:

Swimming (women’s / men’s)
Equestrian (women’s / men’s)
Laser-Run (women’s / men’s)
Fencing – bonus round (women’s / men’s)

Paralympic Games:

Para equestrian

Dressage (team, individual and freestyle)

Where is it located?

Department: Yvelines (78)
City: Versailles
Distance from the Olympic and Paralympic Village: 35km
Games venues located nearby: National Velodrome, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines BMX Stadium, Golf National, Elancourt Hill.

How to get there?

The Château de Versailles will be served by Versailles Chantiers station (RER line C, train line N from the Gare Montparnasse in central Paris, train line U from La Défense station), Versailles Château station (RER line C) and Versailles Rive Droit station (train line L from the Gare Saint‑Lazare in central Paris). Special direct buses for spectators will be running between the competition venue and these stations.

On the day of the individual mixed eventing cross-country, it will also be possible to access the site on foot through the Park of Versailles.

Spectators are advised to allow sufficient travel time and to arrive early at the competition site.

Legacy

At the end of the Games, the temporary facilities will be dismantled without leaving behind any trace. The Château de Versailles will continue to be a world-renowned cultural site, welcoming millions of visitors each year.