Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony: A Spectacular and Historic Event

The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which took place on July 26, offered a unique and unprecedented spectacle on the Seine, combining artistic performances and sporting celebration.

For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the Opening Ceremony was held not in a stadium but on the Seine, transforming Paris’s iconic river into an Olympic stage. The athletes paraded on 160 boats along 6 kilometers of the Seine, from the Pont d’Austerlitz to the Trocadero, passing iconic monuments such as Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

Ceremony highlights

Renowned stage director Thomas Jolly led the ceremony with a bold artistic vision. Performances included suspended artists, holographic projections and a floating symphony orchestra. Each bridge crossed was a stage for dancers, led by choreographer Maud Le Pladec. These artistic tableaux showcased French and Parisian heritage while celebrating cultural diversity.

Stars and Musical Performances

The evening was graced by a host of stars, including :

• Céline Dion, who performed a medley of her greatest hits, captivating the audience with her powerful voice from the majestic stage of the Eiffel Tower.
• Aya Nakamura, who set the stage alight with her modern hits, representing the new generation of French music.
• The famous metal band Gojira put on an energetic performance, surprising and delighting the audience.
• Lady Gaga surprised the audience with an electrifying performance, adding an international touch to the event.
• Zinedine Zidane, who made a special appearance, symbolizing sportsmanship and national pride.
• Legendary DJ David Guetta also thrilled the crowd with an electrifying set, mixing house music classics with contemporary rhythms.
• Jamel Debbouze, who brought a touch of humor and conviviality, representing French popular culture.

Artistic performance and athlete participation

The 10,500 athletes not only paraded, but also performed, symbolizing the union between sport and art. Hundreds of thousands of spectators watched the ceremony free of charge from the upper quays, while others had tickets for the lower quays and some of the bridges.

Featured Locations

A tour of the ceremony highlighted several of Paris’s historic monuments and landmarks:

• Notre-Dame de Paris: Majestically illuminated and serving as a backdrop for light projections.
• The Louvre: offering a historic and artistic setting with projections on its facades.
• Pont des Arts and Pont Neuf: transformed into floating stages with suspended artistic performances.
• Pont Alexandre III: Presenting dance and light shows.
• Musée d’Orsay: used for spectacular artistic projections.
• Eiffel Tower: The highlight of the show, with an unforgettable performance by Céline Dion from the top.

A Dazzling Finale

The ceremony concluded in front of the Trocadéro with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, a task honored by French sports legends Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec. The highlight of the evening was Céline Dion‘s performance, singing from the Eiffel Tower in an unforgettable spectacle of light and music. The final artistic sequences, combining dance, music and pyrotechnics, created a magical atmosphere and marked the official start of the Games.

The ceremony not only celebrated the Olympic Games, but also showcased the beauty and cultural richness of Paris, providing a memorable experience for all participants and spectators alike. For more information and details on the Games and upcoming events, please consult the Paris Select Book.