Vélodrome d'Hiver, Indoor cycling arena near Eiffel Tower, France
The Vélodrome d'Hiver was a cycling arena in a Paris neighborhood near the Eiffel Tower, housed in a converted exhibition building from the 1900 World Fair. The indoor facility featured an oval wooden track measuring 333 meters with steep banking that allowed bicycle racing in any weather.
The building opened in 1909 as a venue for bicycle racing and other sporting events and later served during the 1924 Summer Olympics. In July 1942 French police detained more than 7,000 Jewish men, women and children there before their deportation to concentration camps, and a fire destroyed the structure in 1959.
The venue attracted Parisians from all walks of life who came to watch bicycle racing and boxing, while the steeply banked curves gave spectators a clear view of the action. On race days the stands filled with fans who enjoyed the atmosphere of the tight wooden track and the speed of the riders.
The site stood on Rue Nélaton in the 15th arrondissement, within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine riverbank. After demolition the lot was redeveloped with residential buildings and offices that now define the area.
Ernest Hemingway regularly attended bicycle races at the velodrome and drew inspiration from the competitions and sporting environment. The wooden track was so steep that cyclists rode almost horizontal to the ground in the turns.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
