In this colourful and festive space, all the senses are awakened. Multiple countries have set up their hospitality houses, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in other cultures during the duration of the Olympics and Paralympics.
ADVERTISEMENTIn the 55-hectare sprawling park northeast of Paris, visitors can travel the world in just a few minutes without ever leaving the French capital.
Fifteen countries have set up their hospitality houses in the Parc de la Villette, allowing visitors to discover different cultures, taste local food, and even perhaps meet some Olympic athletes.
The biggest house is unsurprisingly Club France which can welcome up to 20,000 people with two massive stages for concerts and meetings Olympians.
Next door is the second biggest one: the Team Netherlands House (Team NL Huis).
Surrounded by a sea of orange, the official colour of the country, visitors can watch some of the competitions during the day and later, dance the night away to DJ sets by international artists.
“It’s a vibe to be here. Everything is orange. You can have Dutch food, Dutch clothes, we’re trying to make a little home for the Dutch people here," says Marlies Bakker, a volunteer press person for the Netherlands House.
Sven, 23 years old, travelled with his family in a motorhome for more than six hours from the Netherlands to enjoy the Olympics.
"We're huge Olympics fans, we also did the London Games in 2012," he tells Euronews.
"Now that I'm more grown up, I can say it's really fun to watch the games, and of course, have a nice drink while listening to some music," he says.
A festive, welcoming atmosphere
Crossing the park’s canal is the vibrant India House. The organisers highlighted the country’s rich culture — where visitors can see traditional carpet weaving and get Olympics-inspired henna tattoos.
Organisers at India’s pavilion said it was the country’s first house at the Olympics, a step toward their dream of bringing the games one day to India.
Each house, including the India House, regularly hosts different types of events from concerts to workshops.
Jean-Claude, 79 years old, came from the South of France to see the gymnastics competitions. Along with his wife, they tell Euronews "they fell in love" with the India House.
"It's warm, it's welcoming, it was a very meaningful day for us. I will keep an excellent memory of the India House," he says.
A first in the history of the Olympics
Just a couple of minutes away is the Mongolia House with multiple yurts decked out in traditional decor and Genghis Khan portraits (the founder of the Mongol empire).
ADVERTISEMENTThe House also highlights the nation's favourite activities like knucklebone shooting and archery.
This is the first time in the history of the Olympic Games that so many countries are gathered in the same place.
"Usually, delegations are a bit scattered across the host cities," explains Benoit Timbert, operations manager at Paris 2024 in charge of the project in an interview with French media Franceinfo.
Visitors taking advantage of this mini trip around the world. Adriana, a Mexican living in Paris said she's been hopping all day around the different houses.
ADVERTISEMENT"We first visited Mexico House to meet some athletes, then Brazil House to get an acai bowl and now we are at the Mongolia House to see some of the traditional wrestling. It's so interesting," she tells Euronews.
Other houses include the Brazil House where visitors can play beach volleyball and basketball or sip a cool cocktail.
Other team clubhouses include the Canada House, Casa Colombia, the Czechia House, Casa Mexico, the Serbian House, Slovak House, the Slovenian House, the Taipei Pavilion, the Volia Space (Ukraine) and the Ekhaya House for South Africa.
The houses will be accessible to visitors during the whole period of the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
ADVERTISEMENTFor the opening hours and precise locations of the houses, check out the Parc de la Villette's official website here.
