Paris could change how cities host the Olympics for good

Not all locals are so enthused, however. Security is tight over terrorism fears and much of central Paris has been zoned off. Restaurants and other businesses in these areas are emptier than normal and bookings at the poshest hotels were down between 20% and 50% in July, according to UMIH Prestige, which represents them. Overall, 44% of Parisians consider the games to be a “bad thing”, according to recent polling; 50% said they would consider leaving the city to escape them. “I want this event to be amazing,” explains Paul Hatte, a Parisian councillor who represents the city’s 17th arrondissement, “but it feels more like it will be an international party in Paris without the Parisians.”