Celebrating the Summer Olympics: Vive la France

The 2024 Olympic Games will be held in Paris, France from July 26-August 11. The Olympics offer an opportunity to celebrate U.S. athletes while learning about different sports and countries. We’ve rounded up some ways you can enjoy these special weeks as a family with ideas for fun at home and around Atlanta.

Explore French Culture

• Use Google Earth to explore the notable landmarks in Paris, including Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and more.
• Visit the museum rooms, explore artwork, and take in the architecture of the Louvre with a virtual tour.
• Google’s Arts & Culture page highlights French culture with 140 museums, exhibits and galleries. Learn about the baguette, visit historic sites with online tours, explore blooming gardens and more.
• Search YouTube for easy French songs or sayings you can learn with your kids.
• Interested in exploring more? Consider joining the Alliance Française Atlanta for theatre, cinema, music and more. They offer classes for adults and youth, and every third Wednesday of the month watch a French-speaking movie with English subtitles.

French Food Beyond Fries

• Cafe Alsace: Try ratatouille, boef wellington or chocolate pot du crème at this local favorite, owned and operated by a French chef. 121 E. Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur.
• Sucré: Stop by this boutique-style patisserie for a French-inspired treat, including petit fours, macarons, cupcakes, tarts and more. 8654 Main St., Woodstock.
• Café Vendome Paris: At Café Vendome, you’ll find authentic French baguettes, croissants and pastries, along with salads, sandwiches and brunch entrees. Atlanta and Sandy Springs.
• Anis Cafe and Bistro: You’ll feel like you’re in Provence at this Garden Hills bistro — enjoy a croque monsieur or one of their delectable desserts. The kids’ menu has steak frites, pasta and more. 2974 Grandview Ave. NE, Atlanta.
• Roswell Provisions: Shop the market for authentic French items to go, like cheese, gelato and pastries, or enjoy lunch at Le Bistro (don’t skip the apple tart with ice cream!). 953 Canton St., Roswell.

Around Town

• Snap a photo with a miniature Eiffel Tower right here in Atlanta! Visit the “Eiffel Tower Sculpture” by Ray Goins at 2300 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta.
• The Millennium Gate Museum resembles the Arc De Triomphe. Visit to take in this architectural marvel and to learn more about Georgia history. 395 17th St. NW, Atlanta.
• Metro Atlanta’s museums offer fascinating ways to explore French culture and art. Visit the High Museum of Art to see works by Rodin, Monet, Renoir and more. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. On view through Aug. 18, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art is displaying highlights from their collection, which includes French artists. 4484 Peachtree Rd. NE, Brookhaven. Visit SCAD FASH through Aug. 25 to see exhibit “Entering Modernity: 1920s Fashion from the Parodi Costume Collection” for historic fashion from French designers. 1600 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta.
• Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh spent a lot of his lifetime working in France. Step into his artworks, including special virtual reality experience “A Day in the Life of the Artist in Arles France,” at Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which is on view through July 31. 5660 Buford Hwy. NE, Doraville.

All About the Olympics

• Visit Olympic Venues: In the summer of 1996, Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games. Commemorate Atlanta’s Olympic history by visiting some impressive spots. Take a photo at Centennial Olympic Park with the rings. Multiple metro Atlanta sports venues hosted competitions, including Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Centennial Olympic Stadium, Clayton County International Park, Lake Lanier and more.
• Tour Atlanta History Center: The exhibit, “Atlanta ‘96: Shaping an Olympic and Paralympic City,” focuses on Atlanta’s experience hosting the Games with memorabilia from athletes and fans,  interactive displays, videos and more. 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta.
• Read All About It: Cuddle up with a delightful book for a sporty story time. Enjoy an animal spin on the games with “Olympig!” by Victoria Jamieson. “A Kid’s Guide to the 2024 Summer Olympics” by Jack L. Roberts and Michael Owens features details about each sport, along with fun and bizarre history. “Going for Gold: Brilliant Women of the Olympic Games” by Emma Roberts showcases the achievements of 30 history-making women. “The Paralympic Games” by Vickey Herald introduces readers to the Paralympic Games.
• Watch Party: The time in Paris, France is six hours ahead of Atlanta. While watching the games live may be challenging, find the ones you really care about and schedule the DVR to record them so you can watch when it’s convenient.
  Make the time you do have for viewing special. Set up decor for worldwide fun. Have everyone dress in red, white and blue to show their patriotic support. Serve pretzel or onion rings shaped like the Olympic rings or decorate donuts to resemble the Olympic rings. Serve mini burgers with American flag food picks. Pick up croissants or pastries for a bit of French flavor. Set up fruit kabobs with raspberries, marshmallows and blueberries for extra red, white and blue.

Homegrown Heroes

These Georgia athletes will compete in the 2024 Olympic Games!

Katelyn Abeln, Douglasville
Event: Shooting

Anthony Edwards, Atlanta
Event: Basketball

Vincent Hancock, Eatonton
Event: Shooting

Will Hinton, Dacula
Event: Shooting

Emma Hunt, Woodstock
Event: Sport Climbing

Henry Leveritt, Bainbridge
Event: Shooting

Bailey Moody, Alpharetta
Event: Wheelchair Basketball

Hampton Morris, Marietta
Event: Weightlifting

DIY Olympic Fun

Test your own athletic abilities by hosting some Olympic Games at home. Buy or craft gold, silver and bronze medals for the prizes.

• Head to a nearby track or use builder’s tape to mark the track in your backyard. Try sprints or baton relay races, or set up small obstacles your children can jump over for hurdles.
• Explore who can jump the farthest by marking a starting line using chalk or tape, and then marking the point at which your child lands.
• Head to a nearby park with a volleyball, soccer, basketball or to a tennis court.
• Pack up your bikes to go for a family bike ride.
• If you have a trampoline, use it to help your kids show off their own talents in gymnastics.
• Paint or chalk an even stripe of flat lawn or driveway to create a balance beam. Ask your children to use their “balance” to perform certain actions — walking forward, backward and hopping.
• Consider purchasing an archery set for kids to see who can aim for the bullseye.
• Set up a water table to have your kids compete in a rowing race. Craft boats or use boat toys to see who crosses the finish line first.
• Use pool noodles as javelins to see who can throw the item the farthest or throw a frisbee like a discus.
• Suit up to try tricks of the skateboarding trade at a nearby skate park in the metro area, such as Bay Creek Park, Arthur Langford Jr. Park, Kennesaw Skatepark, Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark or Brook Run Park.

Learn more about the games and where to watch at olympics.com.

-Emily Webb and Mary Williams