Paris 2024 Olympics: Athletes showcased at iconic landmarks across the French capital

Paris: One of the great attractions of hosting the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in Paris was the opportunity to show off the plethora of stunning buildings which will form the backdrop to many of the sports. A number of French athletes took a tour of Paris to lend a sporting angle to some of the city's most iconic locations.

French show jumping rider and Olympic champion Penelope Leprevost poses in the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces) in the Chateau de Versailles (Palace of Versailles), in Versailles, southwest of Paris. Become one of the most emblematic places of the Chateau de Versailles (Palace of Versailles), the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces) was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1678 and completed in 1684, replaces a vast terrace formerly opening onto the garden designed by Louis le Vau.

French rugby player Varian Pasquet poses at Place Vendome in Paris. Place Vendome was built by Louis XIV with a decree signed in 1686, to house the Royal Library, the Academies and an equestrian statue of himself.

France's BMX rider Mathias Dandois poses with his bicycle inside The Orsay Museum (Musée d’Orsay) in Paris. Build as railway station and completed in 1900, has been transformed and opened as the Orsay Museum ( Musée d’Orsay) in 1986 and became the World’s largest collection of Impressionist paintings.

France's fencer Yannick Borel poses with an epee inside The Opera Garnier (Opera National de Paris) in Paris. The Paris Opera started in the 17th century, with around 480,000 visitors each year, it is one of Paris' most visited monuments and the primary opera and ballet company of France.

French tennis player Diane Parry poses inside the "Salle Ovale Richelieu" of The Richelieu-Louvois Library (Bibliotheque Nationale de France-National Library of France-BnF) in Paris. The Richelieu site is a heritage site and a historic cradle of the National Library of France (Bibliotheque Nationale de France - BNF), the Library first opened to the public in 1868.

French basketball player Laetitia Guapo poses inside Galerie Vivienne in Paris. Build in the in 1823 the Galerie Vivienne is listed as a historic monument since 1974.

France's paralympic triple jumper Arnaud Assoumani poses in front of The Louvre Pyramide, designed by Ieoh Ming Pei, in Paris. The Louvre was originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century, became one of the main residences of the kings of France later and actually is one of the largest museum in the world.

France's paralympian cyclist Florian Jouanny poses at The Bir-Hakeim Bridge in Paris. The Bir-Hakeim bridge is a two-level bridge built in the early 20th century, registered as a historical monument by decree of July 10, 1986.

France's former soldier of Air Parachute Commando No. 10 and volley player Cyril Chahboune poses at the Grevin Wax museum in Paris. The Grevin Wax museum exhibits more than 500 famous figures.

France's canoeist Marjorie Delassus poses inside the fountain of the Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden) with the French Senate in the background in Paris. Since 1799, the Palais du Luxembourg (Luxembourg palace) has been home to the Senate, the upper chamber of the French Parliament . From 1879, the Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden) has been assigned to the Senate, which is responsible for its management, supervision and conservation.

France's pole vaulter Thibaut Collet poses with Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in the background undergoing reconstruction work following a massive fire in 2019, in Paris. Constructed over the course of two centuries, from the 12th to the 14th, the cathedral has become a universal monument.

France's paralympic archer Guillaume Toucoullet poses in front of the Orsay Museum clock in Paris. Build as railway station and completed in 1900, has been transformed and opened as the Orsay Museum ( Musée d’Orsay) in 1986 and became the World’s largest collection of Impressionist paintings.

France's footballer Grace Geyoro poses at the " Terrasse des Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann " with The Eiffel Tower in the background. Founded in the 19th century, Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann is an iconic department store of Paris.

France's field hockey goalkeeper Mathilde Petriaux poses at the Jardin du Palais Royal in Paris. The Jardin du Palais Royal stands as one of the most beloved public parks in the heart of the capital.

France's surfer Vahine Fierro poses on the platform of The Arts et Metiers metro station in Paris. The Arts et Metiers metro station was opened October 19, 1904 as part of the first section of Line 3.