It had been one of the emblematic places of the Olympic Games this summer, the Grand Palais is transformed once again, this winter, but this time into an XXL ice rink of 2,700 m2. Enough to amaze Parisians but also tourists who come in large numbers to this legendary place in the capital.
After five years of absence, the Grand Palais ice rink is back. Already transformed this summer for the fencing and taekwondo events during the 2024 Olympic Games, the Parisian building is now turning into a 2,700 m2 ice rink. An idea that will delight young and old.
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“We are at the heart of one of the most beautiful monuments in Paris”
Clinging to the railing to avoid falling, Pascal desperately tries to take a photo of his granddaughter, Elona, who is skating at full speed: “You didn’t stop. Take another turn,” he says. The 13 year old girl is more busy marveling in this special place. “There’s music, the atmosphere is good, it’s very pleasant.” Her grandpa cuts her off: “And we are in the heart of one of the most beautiful monuments in Paris. We followed the Games and particularly here, so to come and skate there, well, it’s magical.”
On the ice, it is sometimes not easy to make your way. Novices and more experienced people cross paths, but everyone skates in a good mood, as Julien, originally from Montpellier, who came to Paris for the holidays, explains: “It’s really the spirit of Christmas. Everyone has the smile, have fun and laugh.”
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350 kilometers of pipes and a disco ball
One, perhaps, displays a less broad smile. It’s Perrine, Julien’s sister: “It’s the first time I’ve skated. It’s very hard.” To accommodate 3,000 people on the largest indoor ice rink in the world, it took an entire week of construction.
Olivier Maurey, head of the Grand Palais des Glaces, explains the system put in place: “We stretch 350 kilometers of pipes in which glycol water at -20 degrees flows. And by watering the icy pipes, it becomes ice” . Every evening, the disco ball in the middle of the ice rink reflects on the glass roof of the Grand Palais. Enough to make visitors slide and dance during the holidays.
