n Paris, where abundance of pigeons graces the city’s skyline, pigeon pins are selling like hot cakes in souvenir shops. According to locals, legend has it that wearing a pigeon brooch can “ward off” their droppings, adding an amusing twist to the connection between these urban birds and Olympic memorabilia.

“While the Tour Eiffel, baguettes, and bérets are often associated with Paris, the image of pigeon also surprises both locals and tourists.” Chloé Téhoué, shop assistant of Paris 2024 boutique, explained. Chloé is a junior undergraduate student majoring in English at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, passionate for the Paris Olympics. Apart from assisting her studies, this job allows Chloé to interact with customers from all over the world, introducing Olympic spirit and Paris charm to them.

As reported by Le Parisien and France Bleu, the Olympic organizing committee opened the first official boutique in an 80 m² space on the surface of Les Halles on November 14, 2022. Built in the 12th century, Les Halles is a historic market located in the heart of Paris. After several renovations and expansions, Les Halles was demolished in 1971, and these days replaced by a modern underground shopping area – Forum des Halles.

On July 8, 2023, one year before the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, a second official store opened at the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum. Shelves of the boutiques display a range of official items with five Olympic rings, Olympic flame, and emblem for Paris 2024, offering adorable mascot toys, trendy T-shirts, stylish pins, keychains, mugs, fashionable hats, etc.

According to Paris 2024 official website, the emblem combines three separate symbols – the gold medal, the flame and Marianne, the personification of the French Republic. Each of these symbols reflects a part of identity and values. It is also the first time in history the same emblem has been used for both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games.

“Even athletes from various countries who specifically traveled to Paris just to acquire Paris 2024 souvenirs.” According to Chloé, the stores receive a minimum of 400 visitors daily, among which 90% are tourists and the remaining are locals. “The best souvenir seller are the Phryges mascot plush toys and the pigeon pins” Chloé said.

Rodelia, a Filipino-French resident, accompanied a friend to purchase souvenirs like T-shirt. “I’m fond of the bright green T-shirts, as their color symbolizes environmental friendliness.”

“The Olympics is for sports,” Claire, a 17-year-old British girl, football enthusiast, expressed her desire to see a wider range of sports-themed products in addition to the commemorative coins.

Interestingly, the connection between Olympic memorabilia and the Louvre’s artistic treasures is not direct but rather through the store’s décor, combining artistry and iconicity with color and texture to blend into the context of the Louvre galleries, with a classical palace-like architectural style. “The Louvre store’s decorations reflect the museum's style, attracting many tourists who come to the Louvre to stop here; while as for the boutique at Les Halles, a major transportation hub, caters to other diverse range of customers except large number of tourists,” said Chloé, who works part-time at both the Carrousel du Louvre and Les Halles, where two Paris 2024 stores locate.

In fact, the integration of the Louvre features to the public facilities is not the first. The Louvre-Rivoli station of Paris Metro Line 1 has adopted a similar design, but the integration of the Olympic elements is still the first time, which makes the Paris 2024 boutique at Carrousel du Louvre different from another one at Les Halles.

While not everyone makes a purchase, their interest and enthusiasm for the store remain intact. “I was fascinated by the unique décor of this Olympics boutique,” a photographer, who was taking pictures for the store, shared.

The boutique has become not only a place to purchase souvenirs but also a unique space that embodies the Olympic spirit and Parisian charm. As the countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympics continues, the Olympic souvenir stores have become a significant attraction, drawing visitors from around the globe. Chloé and her fellow team members eagerly await each new day, ready to welcome and assist the influx of customers, sharing in their excitement and passion for the upcoming Games.

The authors are student members of the Backpack Reporting and Research Paris 2023 (Next Generation of Journalists Program) of  Shanghai International Studies University (SISU).