When: from Satursday, August 4th until Sunday, August 12th 2018
A village is a fundamental to the success of an event like the Gay Games. Showcase event, a place open to all, it is primarily intended for participants but also to other audiences as the Parisians, partners, and people visiting Paris and Paris 2018 volunteers.
Venue: Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
The place that best symbolizes this place of sharing and exchange in the heart of Paris is the Square of the Town Hall (“Place de l’Hôtel de Ville” or “Parvis de l’Hôtel de Ville”).
The Square of the Town Hall is the center of Paris close to the "LGBT neighborhood": the Marais. This is one of the most touristic areas of the city. This is where many institutions are LGBT or LGBT-friendly. Thank to its geographical position, it is very well served by public transport (metro, bus, bike service Vélib'). From there, athletes will move quickly on the scene of sporting competitions.
The Square - called “place” in French - changes face throughout the year by hosting numerous events attended by thousands of spectators. Following the example of the ice rink throughout the winter and FNAC concerts hold here annually in July, the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville is an ideal place to organize sports, cultural and social activities...
In terms of culture and tourism, the Hotel de Ville is a beautiful architectural building. It represents the French style. It has housed – and still houses – the municipal institutions of Paris since 1357 (rebuilt in 1800 after fire). The Town Hall also hosts free exhibitions that meet a great success with the public. For example, the Haute Couture will be in the spotlight to start 2013.
The Village: entertainment location
With more than 12,000 square meters, we can offer a large number of events throughout the games (see: plan of the 3D structure of the village). Open to all, the “Parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville” will be transformed into a giant playground where children and adults can discover many sports.
From 10 am to 6 pm, initiation sessions in typical French regional sports (Brittany ball, Lyon ball, Basque pelota, shuffleboard and others) will be proposed as well as demonstrations for disabled sports program. Photos and videos taken on different sites will also be released.
From 6 pm to closing time each day, we will provide a retransmission of the best moments of each day as well as concerts, sets of DJs, bands and choirs. The closure of the village will be at 11 pm every night.
The village is the departure and the arrival of a great treasure hunt inspired by solidarity. Participants who met in teams will journey into Paris with a road book (available in English and French) and answer many questions about the city of Paris, LGBT culture and sport. Great rewards will be offered to the winners at the end of the week. Challenges sponsored by our partners will also be proposed to teams participating in this rally. Teams will also raise funds for Paris 2018’s partner associations. And, for instance, the proceeds from the sale of admission tickets to the games to people who did not register for the Gay Games or its events will be distributed to partner organizations.
Every summer, the event "Paris Plage" takes place in the French capital. Through a partnership with the city of Paris, we will use this event to make the village an ideal vacation spot.
Defestival
A solid partnership with Défistival (www.defistival.org) will be considered, should Paris 2018 hosts the Games. Défistival is an annual event which aims to promote diversity. It was created in 2003 on the occasion of the "European Year of People with Disabilities" by Sallem Riyadh, top level athlete, several times selected for Paralympic Games and European champion in swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby. This close collaboration will primarily aim at promoting the Paralympic disciplines. Paralympic sports and athletes meet a greater and greater success. Thanks to the enthusiasm for London 2012, it fortunately continues this way. This common calendar between Paris 2018 and Défistival will also allow many artists and actors that work for respect and Paralympic sport to offer many sports initiations.
