A habit. At the 2024 Paris Games, the Canadian Olympic Committee continued the tradition by setting the scene for its hospitality space, the Team Canada House, at the Parc des Nations in La Villette. FrancsJeux pushed the door open. Guided tour.
The Memorial
The Canadians thought big. The National Olympic Committee (COC) has reserved the basement of the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie, in the Parc de la Villette, close to around fifteen other hospitality spaces, including the immense Club France.
The decor
Red, as expected. The space is large enough to house a giant screen, a place to celebrate Canadian medalists, a boutique offering official Team Canada products, an area dedicated to COC partners, where visitors can have a personalized identity card. Finally, the public channel CBC installed a television set.
The price
It costs 30 euros to access Team Canada House. Inside, Quebec poutine – fries, cheese and sauce – is sold for 12 euros, a classic burger for 14 euros. Sodas are 4 euros, beer 7,50 euros. The COC offers to test the official wine of Team Canada: 4,50 euros per glass, in red or white.
The atmosphere
Very family-friendly. The majority of visitors gather in front of the main giant screen to follow the competitions. But the less keen can try their hand at “cornhole”, a North American outdoor game popular in Canada.
The public
Canadian for the most part. Supporters of Team Canada, in the majority, but also relatives and families of the athletes. The COC has reserved a private space for them to meet up after the competitions.
Why you have to go there
For the atmosphere, very friendly, and for the welcome given by the volunteers. Another reason to push the door: poutine offered every day to the first 200 to visit the Air Canada stand.
Why is it not essential
Entrance is expensive, and the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie is rather out of the way in the Parc des Nations, especially from the Porte de Pantin metro station.
