With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games fast approaching and the anxiety of having to take transport in a crowded capital looming, there's a question on the minds of many workers: where to telework during the Olympics? Well, look no further! In this article, we take you on a tour of the 10 best French cities in which to telework during this not-to-be-missed event. Quality of life, coworking spaces, fiber optic coverage, easy access to a metropolis... They tick all the boxes!
1. Bourges, Cher
This ranking includes several medium-sized towns, often chosen by workers fleeing the big cities to improve their quality of life. The Cher region's largest city, Bourges, offers an ideal setting for teleworking. Highlights include a charming medieval center with half-timbered houses, beautiful monuments such as Saint-Étienne cathedral, and one of France's last marshes, covering 135 hectares. A peaceful place to walk or cycle between two work sessions at home. What's more, Bourges is only 2 hours from Paris by TER. What's more, it's a city where culture is in full swing, and we can't forget the Printemps de Bourges festival!
2. Where can I telework during the Olympic Games? In Nîmes, Gard
Where to telework during the Olympic Games? Well, why not in a city whose origins go back to antiquity? Welcome to Nîmes, an Occitan city on a human scale, with a remarkable heritage. The arena, the Maison Carrée and the Tour Magne are just some of the monuments we marvel at every day. Nîmes is also home to several museums, including the Musée du Vieux Nîmes and the Centre d'Art Contemporain, not to mention the Jardin des Fontaines, where you can continue to send e-mails from your smartphone in the sunshine. Nîmes also offers the possibility of escaping to the marvellous Pont du Gard or the beautiful city of Montpellier in no time at all. The Hérault prefecture is only 30 minutes away by train.
3. Amiens, Somme
It's true that Lille is a great place to telework, thanks to its dynamism and proximity to Belgium. But Amiens has more to offer those who dream of working from home in a more relaxed atmosphere. What's more, the city lies at the heart of an employment area with a population of over 320,000. Among the places to see in Amiens, the city center is full of charm and historic buildings. There's also the Saint-Leu district, where you can enjoy a drink or a bite to eat on a terrace in the evening. And what better way to clear your head than to visit Amiens' hortillonnages, hundreds of fertile islands irrigated by 60 kilometers of canals, which can be explored by electric boat in fine weather.
4. Dijon, Côte-d'Or
Where to telework during the Olympic Games? Dijon is one of those medium-sized French towns where it's good to live, and good to telework! In fact, the city has a low unemployment rate. It also boasts a charming city center with a number of ancient monuments, including the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy and the Church of Notre-Dame , which are among the must-see sights. In fine weather, you can go shopping at Les Halles and picnic in the lush greenery of the Darcy Gardens. Once you've put your computer away and the week is over, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to having a good time. You can go and see the latest exhibition at Consortium (the contemporary art center), take the TGV and get to Paris in 2 hours, or head off to the Burgundy vineyards for a stroll and wine tasting.
5. Aix-en-provence, Bouche-du-Rhône
If for some, telecommuting means enjoying the sun, then it's time to pack your bags and head for the beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence. A city where you can live in peace and quiet, and stroll along elegant streets and squares that invite you to slow down. Aix is an invitation to sit on a terrace, enjoy a coffeeand work on your computer under the azure blue skies of Provence. A good place to do this is the Cours Mirabeau. You can also take advantage of every day of the week to go to the market in the late morning and stock up on vegetables and fruit. Between two weeks of telecommuting, you can take the train at the weekend, and in 40 minutes you'll be in Marseille, with its museums, lively neighborhoods and Mediterranean coastline.
Wondering what to do in Aix-en-Provence? Discover the 19 must-sees!
6. Le Mans, Sarthe
Where to telework during the Olympic Games? Le Mans is an ideal place to telework. Welcome to a city on a human scale, where you can easily stroll from one neighborhood to another on foot or on an electric scooter. Le Vieux Mans, better known as the Cité Plantagenêt, offers a real trip back to the Middle Ages, with its timber-framed houses and Renaissance mansions among the city's must-see attractions. A day of telecommuting can end in this part of town for a drink with friends or dinner. There's also the river Sarthe, on which you can take an electric boat ride from Le Mans marina. Perfect for letting off steam. Another great advantage of Le Mans is that it's only 50 minutes by TGV from Paris!
7. Where to telework during the Olympic Games? Bordeaux, Gironde
We may be in a metropolis, but Bordeaux has the energy and cultural offerings that attract workers in droves. What's more, Bordeaux is only 2 hours from Paris by TGV, so it's no problem to telecommute from the Gironde prefecture and have an employer in the capital to attend meetings. In Bordeaux, the Unesco World Heritage site abounds in sumptuous monuments and elegant streets. The Cité du Vin, the Bassin des Lumières and the Musée d'Aquitaine are just some of the cultural sites to explore. If telecommuting is ideal in Bordeaux, it's also because the Garonne flows through the city, providing a soothing backdrop for strolling along the quays and spending time in the guinguettes on sunny days or during a weekend in the city .
8. Poitiers, Vienne
Poitiers is an Eldorado for telecommuters. While the town is famous for its Futoroscope, the historic heart of the town is a delight to explore on foot or by bike. In fact, one of the best places to visit is the observation platform on Boulevard du Colonel Barthal, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and spot its main monuments. Why is Poitiers so attractive to teleworkers? The city has a fiber optic network that is becoming more and more widespread, there are several coworking spaces, the price per square meter remains affordable and Paris is only 1h20 away by train for the shortest journey.
9. Where can I telework during the Olympic Games? In Chambery, Savoie
For some, the opportunity to telework is a golden chance to get closer to the mountains. In Savoie, one city stands out for its pleasant living environment and dynamic leisure and cultural activities: Chambéry! Chambéry's city center is very pretty, with its colorful facades and terraces. In no time at all, you're in the middle of the Bauges and Chartreuse regional nature parks. Mountain activities such as hiking, mountain biking and rock-climbing await you. Good to know: Chambéry is only 1h30 by train from Lyon, perfect for a weekend getaway in the big city. Chambéry is definitely a destination for teleworking during the Olympic Games!
10. Where to telework during the Olympics? In Caen, Calvados
Where to telework during the Olympic Games? In Caen, one of Normandy's most attractive cities. A great place to telework. Among the city's must-sees are the Vaugueux district and Rue Saint-Pierre, home to some superb timber-framed houses, the symbol of a city where many monuments have managed to stand the test of time despite the vagaries of history. You can also explore the area's past in museums such as the Caen Memorial, which focuses on the Battle of Normandy. There's no shortage of weekend activities in Caen, whether you decide to breathe in the sea air on the D-Day beaches or take some time out in Paris, which is only a 2-hour train ride away by the shortest route.
What are the conditions for teleworking during the 2024 Olympic Games?
To telecommute during the 2024 Olympic Games, several conditions must be met.
- Firstly, your employer must offer a teleworking option that is compatible with your professional duties. Secondly, you may be required to obtain your supervisor's approval to work remotely for the duration of the Olympic Games.
- In addition, it is important to take into account the logistical and technical aspects of teleworking, in particular the availability of a reliable internet connection and the possibility of accessing the tools and data needed to carry out your professional tasks.
- Last but not least, it's important to comply with any local or sector-specific regulations on telecommuting, as well as your company's internal policies on this type of working arrangement. Make sure you also communicate with your employer to establish clear expectations and agree on how you will monitor and collaborate during this period.
