The images will remain in our memories. The Place de la Concorde electrified by breakdancing, the glass roof of the Grand Palais filled with cheers from fencing fans, the Versailles domain awakened by equestrian demonstrations, the Esplanade des Invalides transformed into a shooting range… Applauded by competitors Never before experienced such a sporting atmosphere, the Parisian monuments are the other big winners of the Olympic Games (DO), which continue until Sunday 8 September with the Paralympic Games.
The fashion world has long been taking advantage of historic sites to magnify its shows. In just a few weeks, heritage has proven to be a key ally in the narrative of the feat. “The Grand Palace is certainly not the fencing hall of Plovdiv. [ville bulgare] »joked on Saturday, July 27, the French shooters questioned by Release. The swordsman Boladé Apithy was captivated: “It’s crazy, I’m going to ask the federation to organize a competition here every year.”
” Why not ? ““Laughs the president of the Grand Palais, Didier Fusillier. But every two years the ballroom is already overcrowded. After all, the large-scale test with 300,000 spectators taking turns for a fortnight proved conclusive, also in terms of acoustics. Setting up stands is feasible. The development of the venue’s surroundings is a completely different story: the main obstacle for sports organisations is the cost of the Grand Palais. Between setting up, dismantling and around ten days of competition, the bill amounts to 1 million euros for a month’s rent.
The Palace of Versailles is also considering venues for other sporting events. The subject was even discussed during a meeting organised on Tuesday 3 September with the equestrian federations. “If we find solutions that respect the site and are economically viable, it would be wonderful, because it is totally in the DNA of the castle, which was a hunting lodge.”enthuses its president, Christophe Leribault.
“Making the Grand Palais a tool of diplomacy”
Parisian museums and monuments now want to turn the unexpected visibility offered by the Olympic Games into money, or even gold. Even though attendance fell by 25% to 50% this summer, they are all hoping to attract a new audience and secure further privatisations. And to pull the wool over the eyes of wealthy patrons who have become rare in recent times. “I can’t say I met a great Australian billionaire who suddenly fell in love with Versailles”acknowledges Christophe Leribault, who is betting on the long term.
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