I00:36) Visiting Paris just before the 2024 Olympics

(01:23) The city under construction — fences, metal grates, and blocked-off Eiffel Tower lawns

(01:45) Locals’ thoughts on the Seine cleanup and Olympic prep

(02:42) How Parisians really feel about the incoming tourist surge

(03:43) Seeing Olympic mascots, merchandise, and new infrastructure before the Games

(04:29) The city’s “pre-beautification” phase and the unseen work behind global events

(06:00) The performance of culture—what cities show the world vs. what daily life looks like

(08:00) Comparing global events like the Olympics and local cultural festivals

(09:13) Accessibility, prices, and how travel changes as a city prepares for global attention

(10:16) Why visiting early can be unexpectedly rewarding

(11:35) Navigating closures and detours during large-scale city prep

(13:04) Tips for deciding when to visit a city hosting a major event

(16:08) Understanding the importance of local calendars and cultural context

(17:38) The challenge of distinguishing authenticity from cultural performance

(20:08) How tourism boosts (and pressures) local economies

(21:07) Christine’s lasting takeaway: the power of art to define and preserve culture

(22:50) Final reflections — experiencing cities before the spotlight reveals the unseen side of culture

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