The Paris Games 2024 Doodle is Google’s biggest and most ambitious Olympic interactive experience yet — a massive Where’s Waldo-style scavenger hunt set in a beautifully illustrated cartoon version of Paris. Released on July 31, 2024, the Most Searched Playground invites you to explore a sprawling Parisian landscape and find 20 hidden items representing the most searched sports, French icons, and Olympic moments. Over 55 million people played it during the Games, making it one of Google’s most successful Doodle launches ever.
The concept is brilliant in its simplicity. Google transformed the French capital into a vibrant illustrated playground featuring the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, charming Parisian streets, and venues from the 2024 Summer Olympics. Hidden throughout this scene are objects organised into five categories: “Main Events” (soccer, water polo, gymnastics), “Action Athletics” (boxing, breaking), “Gear Games” (table tennis, surfing), “French Flair” (croissants, Daft Punk), and “Ancient Lore” (Greek gods like Athena, chariot racing). The team created over 2,000 unique characters and moments to make the world feel rich and diverse.
But the 20 main items are just the beginning. The Playground is stuffed with French culture Easter eggs — you might stumble upon “la bise” (the French cheek kiss greeting) or witness a heated debate about whether it’s called “pain au chocolat” or “chocolatine.” There are also secret “Sports Side Quests” that unlock hidden mini-games. Two retro-style arcade games called “Birdie Baller” and “Squawk Drop” are nestled in an arcade area, and one dedicated player apparently played Squawk Drop 670 times in a single session. A third side quest involves finding 10 Greek Gods and Goddesses scattered throughout the sporting action.
The game was also used for the Paralympics in August 2024, with updated illustrations emphasising wheelchair accessibility and disability inclusion throughout the landscape. Players who found all 20 objects received a personalised “Search Style” profile based on how they explored the Playground.
How To Play Paris Games 2024
Click on the Doodle to enter the Most Searched Playground. You’ll see a massive illustrated map of Paris filled with hidden objects.
Look at the tiles on the left side of the screen — these show the 20 items you need to find, organised into categories.
Click on any tile for a hint about what you’re looking for (though it won’t tell you exactly where it is).
Drag around the map and zoom in to explore different areas. The items are cleverly hidden throughout the Parisian landscape.
Keep an eye out for bonus content — side quests, mini-games, Greek gods, and French cultural Easter eggs are scattered everywhere for extra discoveries.
