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The lit olympic cauldron is seen from the Louvre.

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics took place on 26 July 2024 in Paris, beginning at 19:30 CEST (17:30 UTC). As mandated by the Olympic Charter, the proceedings included an artistic program showcasing the culture of the host country and city, the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. The Games were formally opened by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

At 11.24pm on Friday 26 July, Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner lit the Cauldron of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the end of an exceptional Opening Ceremony. Created by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, the Paris 2024 Cauldron is out of this world. This giant ring of fire topped by a monumental balloon took to the skies over Paris. For the first time in the history of the Games, the Olympic Flame will shine without fuel, thanks to EDF.