Paris 2024: the Colline d'Elancourt (78), Olympic mountain bike venue and highest point in the region

The Colline d'Élancourt, the highest point in the Paris region at 231 meters above sea level, is becoming the scene of an exceptional transformation on the occasion of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This may make the Savoyards laugh, but the highest point in the Ile-de-France region is indeed located on this Yvelines hill, with its 60-meter vertical drop.

Located in the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines area, this artificial hill, the result of the rehabilitation of former quarries and landfill sites, is preparing to host the Mountain Bike (MTB ) events for men and women on July 28 and 29, 2024. This event promises not only a high-level sporting competition, but also a showcase for the site's natural and ecological heritage.

Historically, the Colline d'Élancourt is a site rich in transformations. Formerly a sandstone quarry, it was converted into a landfill before benefiting from an ambitious rehabilitation program in the 1980s. Today, it offers a breathtaking view of emblematic monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, and presents itself as a green leisure space in the midst of the dense urbanization of the Ile-de-France region.

Paris 2024 's commitment to choosing Élancourt as the venue for the mountain bike events reflects a desire to promote a sporting activity in harmony with nature. The courses, designed by South African expert Nick Floros, make 95% use of existing trails, thus limiting the impact on the local ecosystem. This choice also illustrates a strong commitment to sporting accessibility and biodiversity, offering a lasting legacy to the local community and mountain bike enthusiasts after the games.

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With a capacity of 15,000 spectators, including 2,700 seated, the event promises to be a key moment of the Games, attracting not only cycling fans but also those sensitive to the environmental cause. The fact that the event will be staged without any major construction on the site reinforces the 2024 Olympic Games' commitment to minimizing the impact on biodiversity and the landscape.

Thanks to its history and metamorphosis, the Colline d'Élancourt perfectly symbolizes the spirit of the Paris 2024 Games: celebrating sport while respecting and enhancing the environment. It's an invitation to discover not only athletic excellence, but also the beauty and natural wealth of the Ile-de-France region. The event promises to be a spectacle not to be missed, offering a unique experience for spectators and a lasting legacy for the region. It is the embodiment of a future where sport and nature coexist harmoniously, making the Paris 2024 Olympics a model of a sustainable and inclusive sporting event.

After the Games: a new lease of life for the Colline d'Élancourt

After the glitter of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Colline d'Élancourt is preparing to begin a new chapter in its history. From spring 2025, the site will be returned to the public, transforming this highest point of the Ile-de-France region into a leisure and sports area open to all. The site will then be able to host a wide range of activities.

The initiative, financed to the tune of €7m by the Département, is part of a long-term vision focused on the heritage and enhancement of the hill. The 52-hectare leisure hub will enrich the recreational offer with new trails for mountain bikers, runners, hikers and walkers, marking the Département's commitment to a sustainable and inclusive heritage.

Free tickets by lottery for Élancourt residents

To mark the introduction of mountain bike competitions on our Hill, the Municipality of Élancourt is offering Élancourt residents the chance to experience the Olympic Games this summer. Between January and June, six lotteries will be organized to distribute 1,500 tickets to attend the Olympic competitions scheduled for July 28 and 29, 2024 on our Hill.

In detail, 750 tickets will be available for the men's competitions and 750 for the women's competitions, distributed across six monthly draws from January to June. To take part, go toEspace Citoyen.

A Surprising Anecdote : A Ski Trail Project

Did you know? Before becoming an Olympic venue for mountain biking, the Colline d'Élancourt was once considered as the site of a ski slope. This project, unveiled in 2013, aimed to transform the summit into a winter destination in the heart of the Ile-de-France region. Although this idea never came to fruition, it bears witness to the versatility and visionary ambition of the projects envisaged for this unique site. Today, with its new Olympic vocation and future role in leisure and sport, the Colline d'Élancourt continues to surprise and adapt, offering a rich and diverse heritage to the region.

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