Step into sports history at the home of the founder of the modern Olympics

With almost a year until Paris 2024, the childhood home of Baron Pierre de Coubertin has been transformed to take guests on a journey through time. For one night only guests will get the opportunity to immerse themselves in Olympic history in Château de Mirville, an iconic stop on the Olympic torch relay in 2024.  

Built in the 16th century, Château de Mirville is where the young Coubertin developed a love of sports that would eventually inspire him to revive and evolve the ancient Olympic Games into the modern Games as we know them today. And on July 18, one night in the historic home – recently restored to its original grandeur with the support of the IOC and Airbnb’s Heritage and Local Tourism program – will be opened for a unique stay on Airbnb for €24* in honor of Paris 2024.

Jacques de Navacelle, Coubertin’s great grand-nephew, will host the stay and share tales of how the château inspired his illustrious forebear.

’’Château de Mirville is considered by many as the birthplace of the modern Olympics Games. It is in this home that the seeds of a global sporting revolution were sown. It gives me great pleasure to welcome guests in our family home to celebrate the one year countdown to Paris 2024.”

Jacques de Navacelle, Host and great grand nephew of Pierre de Coubertin

Emmanuel Marill, Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Airbnb, adds, “As a proud worldwide Paris 2024 partner and now Official Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay in France, we are honored to offer a truly unique experience in the historic Château de Mirville. Airbnb is dedicated to showcasing the rich diversity of France’s regions and the rich Olympic legacy of this special home will make for an inspiring stay.”

Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024 said, “What a joy it will be to have the opportunity to sleep in the mythical Château de Mirville, embarking on a genuine voyage through time in search of the origins of the modern Olympic Games! In Paris 2024, we are hosting the Games in a new era, but we also care deeply about traditions and history where we come from. Well done Airbnb, and good luck to those who will try to live the experience!”

About the stay

Château de Mirville is nestled deep in the Pays de Caux valley in Normandy, France. In the heart of the château, Coubertin’s private study has been transformed into a remarkable sporting suite that pays homage to the building’s legacy in the modern Olympic Games history. Guests who secure a booking will take a journey through time and Olympic greatness. Prepare to enjoy:

• The opportunity to play with n°1 French professional tennis player Caroline Garcia on the grounds where one of the first games of lawn tennis was supposedly played in France
• A private tour of the entire estate by your Host, Coubertin’s great grand nephew, Jacques
• A punt on the lake where Coubertin developed his love of rowing, followed by a picnic of French delicacies on a specially constructed floating pontoon
• An immersion into the origins of the Olympics including exclusive access to historic memorabilia such as Coubertin’s 1892 Olympic Manifesto,  a personal document featuring the rings for the first time as originally sketched by Coubertin and an original ticket from France’s first Games in 1900¹
• A  selection of items from the very latest IOC Olympic Collection named in honor of Pierre de Coubertin²

How to book

Guests may request to book this overnight stay on July 18, 2023 from 6:00 PM CET at airbnb.com/coubertin. The unique overnight stay will take place on July 26, 2023 and cost 24 euros*, in honor of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Maximum occupancy is two persons. Guests are responsible for their own transportation to and from Château de Mirville, France.

Airbnb, official partner of Paris 2024 Torch Relay

Through this unique partnership, Airbnb Hosts will participate in the Torch Relay and act as local cultural ambassadors for the towns and villages they call home, celebrating the arrival of the Olympic Flame throughout its journey across the country. 

More than half a million visitors³ are expected in France on Airbnb during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, trips that are expected to generate more than €1 billion for the French economy and nearly €86 million in gross income for Hosts in less populated communities according to a recent Deloitte study. With a community of Hosts representing more than 23,000 cities all across France, a third of whom are in the least populated cities⁴, Airbnb is dedicated to showcasing the rich diversity of France’s regions and spreading the long-term benefits of the Games throughout the country.

*Plus taxes and fees. This one night stay is not a contest.

Read more about: Heritage

1. Guests will have access to official facsimiles of the aforementioned documents.
2. The Pierre de Coubertin collection, launched in summer 2023, celebrates the founder of the modern Olympic Games and the rich heritage of the Olympic movement. See here: https://shop.olympics.com/en/
3. Estimated Number of guest arrivals on Airbnb in France between July 29 and August 14, 2022 and between August 31 and September 12, 2022. Source Deloitte study.
4. Source Airbnb internal figures shared in the Deloitte study.

About Airbnb 

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 4 million Hosts who have welcomed 1.4 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.