The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games - the first Paralympic Games to be held in France - offered 11 days of intense competition, where the athletes shone with their determination and exceptional performances, and where the public turned out in their droves!
Among the great French champions, Lucas Mazur and Charles Noakes won gold in their respective categories in para badminton. Three gold medals in para-cycling on the track were added to the national list of achievements: Marie Patouillet in the women's 3,000-metre individual pursuit, Dorian Foulon in the men's 4,000-metre individual pursuit and Alexandre Léauté in the men's 3,000-metre individual pursuit. Para-triathletes Jules Ribstein and Alexis Hanquinquant were crowned Paralympic champions in their category. France moved comfortably into the top 10 best nations and beat its previous record for the number of medals won.
On the international front, figures such as Australian wheelchair tennis legend Dylan Alcott and Brazilian 5-a-side football star Ricardinho made their mark. As for Gabriel dos Santos Araujo, an exceptional Brazilian swimmer, he now has five Paralympic gold medals to his name. Born without arms and with atrophied legs, Gabrielzinho shone particularly brightly at these Games, winning three gold medals to add to those he will win in Tokyo in 2021.
The competitions were held in iconic venues in Paris, including the Bercy Arena, the Champ-de-Mars, the Vélodrome nation de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, the Grand Palais, the Château de Versailles, the Paris La Défense Arena and, of course, the Stade de France.
These Games were the stage for moments of exceeding oneself and celebrating diversity, thrilling millions of spectators around the world and now leaving a lasting legacy on the Ile-de-France region!
On 8 September 2024, Paris 2024 is inviting sports fans to the Parc Georges-Valbon, in La Courneuve in Seine-Saint-Denis, for one last festive day before the closing ceremony. The park, a symbol of inclusion and conviviality, will host demonstrations of Paralympic sports, interactive workshops and concerts.
On the programme for 8 September 2024: the start of the Paralympic marathon, demonstration at the skatepark, celebration of French athletes and concert by BigFlo & Oli. This exceptional day - the Parc des Jeux closes at 6pm - celebrates the end of the Paralympic Games and showcases Seine-Saint-Denis, a key area for Paris 2024. It's the last chance to get excited before the final ceremony at the Stade de France.
To make the most of the last days of the Games and admire the Olympic cauldron rising each evening into the Paris sky - one of the iconic images of these Paris Games - several Parisian locations offer spectacular viewpoints:
More info on the Paralympic cauldron
The Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games at the Stade de France will feature several big names from the French electro scene: Jean-Michel Jarre, Martin Solveig, Cassius, Kavinski, Kungs and Kittin. The famous DJ Rone, known for his spellbinding compositions, is one of the evening's star performers. Accompanied by other talents such as Arnaud Rebotini and the Acid Arab orchestra, the programme promises an electrifying and unique atmosphere to celebrate the end of these Paralympic Games in a memorable and festive way. See you from 8.30pm.
The Stade de France, located in Saint-Denis, is easily accessible by several means of transport. Here are the main options for getting there:
For a gentle option, cycle paths link Paris to the Stade de France, and secure cycle parking is available on site.
If you can't make it to the Stade de France, the ceremony will be broadcast live on several television channels, including France Télévisions, the official broadcaster of the Games in France. Streaming platforms such as MyTF1 and Eurosport will also be offering online broadcasts, enabling people to follow the event from home.
In addition to the television broadcasts, several fan zones in different locations around Paris - this is a non-exhaustive list - will offer an immersive experience for watching the closing ceremony live:
These fan zones offer different atmospheres so you can follow the event as closely as possible. Be sure to check the times and access arrangements to make the most of these experiences.
