Paralympian Arnaud Assoumani plans your Paris weekend

Paris is the City of Light, but come 26 July 2024, it will become a city lit by the Olympic flame. An estimated 15.3 million people are expected to flood its streets when the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games come to town, ready to experience the excitement against the backdrop of the glamorous French capital.

We spoke to Paralympic medallist Arnaud Assoumani, one of the city's favourite adopted sons, to get his Parisian picks. "I've always loved Paris," says the Orsay-born long jumper, who lived in the city for 15 years, first as a student, then returning for his training. "Even when you've lived here a long time, it still impresses, because the whole city is a work of art."

Having first set his sights on a sporting career as a young boy, Assoumani overcame not only his disability (he was born without a left forearm) but also teenage bullying to achieve his dream. He went on to win five Paralympic medals, including a gold, and now hopes are high for a strong performance in his home country.

Arnaud Assoumani

"I'm really proud to be able to compete in front of my family, in front of my friends and in front of a French audience," says Assoumani. "But, also, I'm really happy that we have the opportunity to change perceptions around disability while inspiring millions of people along the way."

The world-renowned Paralympian is also an ambassador for Paris 2024 and, like his fellow French citizens, is feeling the buzz generated by the Games. "Paris is probably one of the most beautiful settings in the world, in terms of its architecture and history, so it's going to be incredible," says Assoumani, who now lives in Montpellier but returns to the capital regularly. "Be sure to take a walk, meet some people from other countries and just feel the atmosphere – that's when you're going to get that really positive vibration."

Here, Assoumani shares his top tips for a memorable stay in Paris – during this summer's Games and beyond.

The romantic Latin Quarter is one of Assoumani's favourite neighbourhoods (Credit: Alamy)

1. Best neighbourhood base: The Marais, Latin Quarter or Montmartre

Wherever visitors decide to stay, Assoumani says it's impossible to go too far wrong as Paris is such a compact, walkable city.

Tip

The Opening Ceremony for Paris 2024 will be held on the Seine – with many people able to watch that for free. As for the competitions, while most require a ticket, there's still time. "For the Olympics, it could be a bit more complicated, but for the Paralympics, there are tickets still available from €15," says Assoumani. Alternatively, there are free 'fan zones' with giant screens.

"Also, there really is a district for every taste," he says. "For instance, in the Marais, you'll find amazing food, great galleries and some of the best shopping. If you love fashion, you're in the right place."

Another neighbourhood he recommends is the Latin Quarter. "As well as being close to Notre-Dame, Saint-Michel and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, it is itself very beautiful, and a lot of artists and actors are based in that area." Alternatively, for a more village-y feel, he suggests heading up to Montmartre: "There, you have small streets, interesting little shops and a view over the whole city."

As for his own preferred place to stay, he's a big fan of Hôtel Taylor, close to the Marais – due to the "warm decor, caring staff and because I feel a bit at home there."

Assoumani loves both the international flavours of Paris as well as its traditional ones, found at classic restaurants like Au Pied de Cochon (Credit: Alamy)

2. Best for foodies: French favourites or a Syrian gem

When it comes to restaurant recommendations, Assoumani admits to feeling somewhat conflicted. "I love every kind of food," he says, "and there are over 35,000 restaurants in Paris". But he adds that he feels duty-bound to advocate for a classic French experience.

"One of the best known for that is Au Pied de Cochon in the 1st (arrondissement) – a traditional French restaurant that is famous for its food," he says. "Or, if you want to try some snails, another great place is L'Escargot in Rue Montorgueil – a pedestrianised market street. Then there's Les Chouettes, which is really beautiful as it's spread over three floors, in the 3rd."

As for a favourite restaurant, while he struggles to pick just one, Syrian eatery Le Daily Syrien Veggie near Strasbourg-Saint-Denis holds a special place in his heart. "The ingredients are really fresh and the food is amazing," he says. "I love it there."

Also a fan of Asian cuisine, he recommends the 13th arrondissement, home to the city's Chinatown district, or the Belleville neighbourhood, which has its own Chinese quarter. His preferred choice is the restaurant Lao Siam, in Rue de Belleville, which has been serving up dishes from South-East Asia for almost 40 years.

Alternatively, for global flavours ranging from Lebanese to Israeli to African, he proposes the 20th arrondissement – with the diversity of the area, he says, reflected in the food.

For an escape from the hustle and bustle of Parisian life, visit one of its nearby woods or botanical gardens (Credit: Alamy)

3. Best spot to escape the crowds: The picturesque parks

"There are some beautiful parks in Paris," says Assoumani. "But to really escape the crowds, I'd suggest getting out of the city and into the woods. To the east, there's the Bois de Vincennes and, to the west, the Bois de Boulogne, and there you're going to be surrounded by trees."

Known as the "green lungs" of Paris, these two vast parks are easily accessible by public transport but feel like a million miles away. Ideal for a picnic, a peaceful stroll or to simply be among nature, they offer some more surprising features too. The Bois de Vincennes is the setting for a botanical garden, a hip hangout on a lake and the imposing fortress of the Château de Vincennes; while the Bois de Boulogne encompasses an amusement park, a three-star Michelin restaurant and the contemporary arts space of the Fondation Louis Vuitton.

As for parks within the city, among his favourites are the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the north-east of Paris – known for its hilly layout, lovely vistas and special features such as a belvedere – and the Jardin des Plantes in the 5th arrondissement. "That one is home to the natural history museum, many species of plants and a tree that's over 300 years old," he says. Alternatively, for a stroll next to the Louvre, he recommends the elegant formal gardens of the Jardin des Tuileries that date to the 1600s.

Those visiting France in summer 2024 can also enjoy the Cultural Olympiad – the official cultural programme of the Games (Credit: Alamy)

4. Best cultural experience: A blockbuster museum or the Cultural Olympiad

With his demanding training schedule, Assoumani doesn't get much time to himself. So, when he does have a day off, it's all about catching up on the "normal" things.

"I might go to a restaurant with friends, perhaps see a concert or maybe visit a museum," he says. "There are so many great ones in Paris: the Louvre, the Musée D'Orsay, the Musée de l'Homme... They all offer a remarkable experience."

His number-one tip for summer 2024, however, is to go to one of the events taking place as part of the Cultural Olympiad – the official cultural programme of the Games – with some of those events free to attend.

"I would suggest that everyone coming to Paris should check out the Cultural Olympiad," says Assoumani. "From theatre and dance to photography, there's a really rich and varied programme, with more than 2,000 projects – both in Paris and throughout France."

Among the highlights will be the chance to see the monumental tapestry created to commemorate the Paris 2024 Games; just next to the Eiffel Tower, SPOT24 puts a spotlight on the newer disciplines – from BMX and skateboarding to breakdance – and their links with urban cultures; and the Louvre is hosting a special exhibition exploring the history of the Olympics.

Le Marais is a shoppers' paradise, from vintage clothes to gourmet treats (Credit: Alamy)

5. Best area for shopping: Le Marais

Paris is famously a shopper's paradise. From flea market finds and vintage accessories to the chicest French labels, mouthwatering macarons or gourmet chocolate, there's no shortage of possibilities.

"For clothing, I like to buy something that I will either wear all my life or that's already been used or is upcycled," says Assoumani. "So, the Marais is a good place to go because as well as small designer shops and concept stores, there are vintage places, too, like Kilo Shop. There are loads of great addresses in that area."

For classic French fashion brands, he suggests one of the city's iconic department stores such as Printemps in Boulevard Haussmann; for second-hand and antiquarian books, the historic green kiosks of the bouquinistes along the Seine; or, for those picture-perfect pastel macarons, Pierre Hermé or Ladurée, which have several locations in the city.

Another essential experience, he says, is a visit to the famed food market, the Marché des Enfants Rouges. Founded in 1615, the city's oldest market remains renowned for its fresh produce today.

Source : BBC