Use this guide to identify some of the key references throughout the route.
The opening ceremony progressed through a series of 12 “tableaux” that aligned with the performance theme.
Produced by Fascinating (French for “Nice to meet you”) And then there was synchronicity, liberty and equality, fraternity, sisterhood, sportsmanship, celebration, darkness, solidarity, solemnity and eternity.
The event opened with the first 18 participating delegations passing through a curtain of water on the Pont d'Austerlitz aboard five boats.
The frescoes decorating the bridge depict the Olympic program and some of the masks. A reference to the city's theater scene.
During the opening ceremony, athletes paraded past a giant-headed character perched on a wall along the Seine. The colorful mascot-like character paid homage to France's tradition of cartooning. Jeanne d'Arc, Josephine Baker, Marie Curie And fictional Arsene Lupin, “Gentleman thief”.
The scene of a hooded figure running across the rooftops of Paris will likely be familiar to viewers of the film A Night in Paris. Netflix series “Lupin” A work based on a literary figure, starring French actor Omar Sy.
The masked torchbearers are based on prominent figures from French culture, including “Phantom of the Opera.”
The parade wasSynchronicity“During the stretch, the audience was treated to a choreographed sequence on the scaffolding. Notre Dame.
The famous cathedral was hit by a fire in 2019 and was due to reopen to the public in December. Workers along the scaffolding Trade and French craftsmanship.
At the opening ceremony 500 dancers from multiple ensembles on the Notre Dame Bridge and surrounding roofsIt's a tribute to the people and energy of Paris. And what about the figure in the sky clinging to the spire of Notre Dame? Quasimodo The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The parade's “Liberty” march paid another homage to the work of the 19th century French author. Victor HugoTorch relay runners will appear in the musical “Les Miserables.”
“That's it” A song that symbolizes the French Revolution Marie AntoinetteShe was the last queen of France before the French Revolution, and was beheaded in 1793. Opera singer accompanied by a French heavy metal band Godzilla The song continues: The singer was on a boat, Coat of arms of the city of Paris.
The torch runners then appeared again and guided the spectators around the venue. louverAt the famous museum in the heart of Paris, the torchbearers ran past several paintings, causing the characters in the artworks to come to life. The Raft of the Medusa or Napoleon's Coronation?
Between the Pont Royal and the Léopold Sédar Senghor footbridge, Paintings at the LouvreThey faced the athletes and their on-board delegations, a pose intended to convey that the athletes would be the center of attention at these Olympics.
Afterwards, the masked torchbearers Mona Lisa It was stolen again: the Louvre's most famous artwork, a work by Leonardo da Vinci, was stolen in 1911 and recovered in 1913.
A masked torchbearer rides in a hot air balloon to France Inventor and authorSpectators jump into the Seine to rescue the stolen Mona Lisa Minions. “Despicable Me” series It was produced by Paris-based Illumination Studios.
Ten golden statues then emerged from the Seine, honouring notable women in French history.
These include Simone de BeauvoirPhilosopher and writer who played a leading role in the fight for gender equality Paulette NaldalA pioneer of black feminism and the Negritude literary movement.
Scott Allen and Emily Giambalbo contributed to this report.
