Next month Paris will join London as the only two cities to host the Summer Olympics three times. The French capital had the honour in 1900 for the second edition of the games. They then had one of the most successful events in 1924. They will complete the hat-trick in July. What we want to do is look at the impact the Olympics has had on the architecture in the city. Then, if you need help from a top architect in London, you can call on us.

Legacy

The development of Paris in the 20th and 21st centuries owes a lot to the Olympics. For example, Line 1 of the metro was introduced in 1900. It connects the northwest to the southeast, crucially linking to locations in Vincennes. Today it is the busiest line on the network.

There was an even bigger impact on the architecture in 1924. Several venues were built specifically for the games and have had other uses since then. Some will return for 2024.

Yves du Manoir Stadium, Colombes

This was one of the most important venues in 1924. The 45,000 arena was the host for track and field events, football, and more. It was fully refurbished prior to the event, using designs from architect Louis Faure-Dujarric. In the last 100 years it has had a number of upgrades and renovations. It will be part of the 2024 games, this time hosting field hockey.

Tourelles Swimming Pool

The pool was new for the 1924 games. It was the venue for swimming competitions and the backdrop for several records. The building and pool is still being used today, now known as Georges-Vallerey Pool. However, it won’t feature in 2024. Instead, the new Saint Denis Aquatic Center and Arena La Defence will host the swimming and para-swimming events respectively. Interestingly, Saint Denis is the only permanent facility for these games. As a top architect in London, we know how well wonderful temporary facilities can be as well as the impact of beautifully designed permanent ones.

Jacques-Anquetil Velodrome

The cycling stadium actually pre-dates the first Paris Olympics. Its history goes back to 1894. It was a major venue for 1900 and 1924, hosting numerous events at both games. Since then it has become a historical monument. Sadly though, it won’t feature in 2024 because the track does not comply with the current Olympic standards.

Palace of Versailles

The former royal residence is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. Millions of visitors come every year to see the museum and gardens. The grounds were an Olympic venue in 1924, welcoming shooting competitions. A lot of work means the Palace can feature in 2024 too. This includes restoration and building temporary facilities. It will be hosting equestrian events and modern pentathlon.

Do you need help from an architect in London?

Coffey Architects is a team you can rely on. We can do anything, including designing permanent and temporary structures. We can even do work to renovate and preserve old buildings, particularly those with significant character and historical value.

So, if you need any kind of help, choose an award winning architect in London. We’ll give you the benefit of our experience, passion, and creativity.