Exhibition Once Upon a Time the Stadiums From March 20th to September 16th, 2024, at the City of Architecture and Heritage in Paris.

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Exhibition Once Upon a Time in the Stadiums: Buy Your Tickets

Permanent Collections

Access to permanent collections
Access to the following temporary exhibitions:

31-07-23 > 02-09-24: Notre-Dame de Paris, from builders to restorers
14-02-23 > 02-06-24: Pau Andreu
19-03-24 > 16-09-24: Mini maousse 9
19-03-24 > 16-09-24: Once Upon a Time the Stadiums

Charléty Stadium, 1989-1994, Paris, Architects Henri Gaudin and Bruno Gaudin (© Georges Fessy)

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What to expect

From March 20th to September 16th, 2024, the City of Architecture and Heritage in Paris hosts the exhibition "Once Upon a Time the Stadiums," a unique event that aligns with the dynamics of the preparations for the Olympic Games. This comprehensive exhibition questions and highlights one of the most significant architectural and cultural symbols of sports: the stadium.

The exhibition "Once Upon a Time the Stadiums" at the City of Architecture and Heritage: a dive into the history and evolution of stadiums

The concept of a stadium, inherited from ancient Greece where it initially denoted a unit of length before coming to symbolize a vast space dedicated to sports competitions, has undergone profound transformations over the centuries. From rudimentary communal spaces to massive modern arenas, the stadium has evolved into a major public facility, even becoming a monument in its own right. These architectural and functional transformations, reflecting mass sports practices of the 20th century, lie at the heart of the exhibition.

Through a series of thematic sequences, "Once Upon a Time the Stadiums" explores three fundamental dimensions of this iconic space: its democratization, the pursuit of performance it symbolizes, and its integration into a process of globalization. The exhibition thus invites the public to understand not only the history of the stadium but also its heritage value, its impact on collective imagination, and its role in contemporary society.

To make this experience even more interactive and playful, a freely accessible workshop is offered to visitors at the entrance of the exhibition. Visitors of all ages are invited to assemble the paper model of an imaginary stadium, offering everyone the opportunity to express their passion for sports and architecture in a creative way. This workshop, accessible from 6 years old under adult supervision, allows for a concrete and personal immersion into the fascinating world of stadiums.

The exhibition "Once Upon a Time the Stadiums," captured through the lens of Véronique Paul, photographer, and presented by the SCAU Agency, proves to be an invitation to explore the multiple facets of stadiums, from their origins to their current role in sports and collective culture. Through this event, the City of Architecture and Heritage provides a space for reflection and discovery on these iconic sports venues, showcasing their historical richness and their importance in the social and cultural fabric.

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