Paris 2024 Games: the best moments from the opening ceremony
Updated on 29/07/2024
A colorful ceremony
The opening ceremony started with a bang.
A colorful ceremony
The opening ceremony started with a bang.
La vie en rose
Dancers performing the French cancan on a bridge over the Seine.
La vie en rose
Dancers performing the French cancan on a bridge over the Seine.
Lighting up the rooftops
The torchbearer carried the flame along the rooftops during the opening ceremony with Notre-Dame in the background.
Lighting up the rooftops
The torchbearer carried the flame along the rooftops during the opening ceremony with Notre-Dame in the background.
85 boats paraded down the Seine
Various boats with the participating nations paraded down the Seine during the ceremony.
85 boats paraded down the Seine
Various boats with the participating nations paraded down the Seine during the ceremony.
Firefighters on deck
The Paris fire department performed on one of the bridges.
Firefighters on deck
The Paris fire department performed on one of the bridges.
Dancers on the rooftops
Performances by dancers on the rooftops of Paris, alongside the Seine.
Dancers on the rooftops
Performances by dancers on the rooftops of Paris, alongside the Seine.
Dancers on the quays
Dancers perform on the quai de la Corse.
Dancers on the quays
Dancers perform on the quai de la Corse.
Metal at the Conciergerie
French metal band Gojira set the ceremony alight on the façade of the Conciergerie.
Metal at the Conciergerie
French metal band Gojira set the ceremony alight on the façade of the Conciergerie.
The flame on the roofs of Paris
Torchbearer in front of the Conciergerie, opening ceremony.
The flame on the roofs of Paris
Torchbearer in front of the Conciergerie, opening ceremony.
Lady and Zizi
Lady Gaga sings "Mon truc en plume" by Zizi Jeanmaire.
Lady and Zizi
Lady Gaga sings "Mon truc en plume" by Zizi Jeanmaire.
Aya Nakamura "en Seine"
Aya Nakamura performed with the Garde Républicaine in front of the Académie de France.
Aya Nakamura "en Seine"
Aya Nakamura performed with the Garde Républicaine in front of the Académie de France.
Cavalière sur Seine
A rider ascends the Seine on a metallic steed, bearing the Olympic flag aloft.
Cavalière sur Seine
A rider ascends the Seine on a metallic steed, bearing the Olympic flag aloft.
Under the Eiffel Tower
The Olympic delegations arrive under the Eiffel Tower.
Under the Eiffel Tower
The Olympic delegations arrive under the Eiffel Tower.
Two legendary torchbearers
Tennis player Rafael Nadal, Olympic champion in Beijing, and Zinedine Zidane take turns carrying the flame in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Two legendary torchbearers
Tennis player Rafael Nadal, Olympic champion in Beijing, and Zinedine Zidane take turns carrying the flame in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Illuminated Eiffel Tower
Beams of light shine out from the Eiffel Tower, marking the ceremony's end.
Illuminated Eiffel Tower
Beams of light shine out from the Eiffel Tower, marking the ceremony's end.
The flame takes flight
Lit by Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner in the Jardin des Tuileries, the Olympic cauldron soared into the Parisian sky.
The flame takes flight
Lit by Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner in the Jardin des Tuileries, the Olympic cauldron soared into the Parisian sky.
Hymne à l'amour
Céline Dion closed the ceremony on the Eiffel Tower, singing Edith Piaf's Hymne à l'amour.
Hymne à l'amour
Céline Dion closed the ceremony on the Eiffel Tower, singing Edith Piaf's Hymne à l'amour.