The Olympic Games Paris 2024 kicked off with a mesmerizing spectacle as French sports legends Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner ignited the Cauldron, setting the stage for an extraordinary event.
This unique Cauldron, designed by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, is a revolutionary hot-air balloon carrying a ring of fire. Positioned on the ground during the day, it takes off into the Parisian sky at sunset, creating a breathtaking view visible from hundreds of meters away.
Installed in the Jardin des Tuileries, this Olympic Cauldron has transformed one of the most iconic views of Paris.
With the Louvre, its Pyramid, the La Concorde obelisk, and the Arc de Triomphe in alignment, the Cauldron stands as a symbol of the “Games Wide Open” spirit of Paris 2024.
The public can access the Cauldron via free ticketing, allowing 10,000 people daily to get up close. The Jardin des Tuileries will open from 11 am to 7 pm, accommodating 3,000 visitors simultaneously before the Cauldron ascends into the sky each evening.
For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the Flame will shine without fuel, thanks to EDF, a Premium Partner of Paris 2024. Utilizing a combination of mist and light beams, the Flame will flicker solely on electricity, powered by 100% renewable energy produced in France.
The technical feat involves a ring of fire nearly 7 meters in diameter, illuminated by 40 LED spotlights and misted by 200 high-pressure nozzles, ensuring a warm and visible Flame even when the Cauldron is 60 meters above the ground.
Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner’s lighting of the Cauldron concluded the Torch Relay, marking the start of the Paris 2024 Games. The Relay celebrated the spirit of the Games throughout France, culminating in the stunning display at the Opening Ceremony.
The Torch, the Relay cauldron, and the Olympic Cauldron, all designed by Lehanneur, share a metallic hue representing the gold, silver, and bronze medals, symbolizing equality, fraternity, and liberty. The Flying Cauldron, floating between earth and sky, embodies the spirit of freedom.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Cauldron also pays homage to the rich history of ballooning in Paris. It was here in 1783 that Pilâtre de Rozier and the Marquis d’Arlandes made the first human flight in a hot-air balloon, based on the Montgolfier brothers’ research.
Soon after, physicist Jacques Charles launched a gas balloon from the same spot in the Jardin des Tuileries, witnessed by 400,000 people.
A century later, in 1878, French engineer Henri Giffard introduced the captive balloon, combining a gas balloon and a steam winch, further cementing the Jardin des Tuileries as a historic site for aviation innovation.
In this context, the Paris 2024 Cauldron is a modern extension of this legacy. Positioned in the heart of the Louvre estate, it connects the past and the present, celebrating technological innovation, history, and public enjoyment.
Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, expressed his excitement about this unique Cauldron, highlighting its tribute to French creativity, innovation, and daring spirit.
He emphasized that the Cauldron, visible both day and night, symbolizes the inclusive and open nature of the Games, aligning with the “Games Wide Open” slogan.
Designer Mathieu Lehanneur described the Cauldron as light, magical, and unifying, a beacon in the night and a sun during the day. He envisioned it as a cool oasis in the heart of summer, crafted to represent the final chapter in the story of the Olympic and Paralympic objects.
Luc Rémont, Chairman and CEO of EDF, lauded the Cauldron as a symbol of the electric revolution, showcasing the shift towards sustainable and responsible Games with its fuel-free Flame.
Laurence des Cars, President and Director of the Louvre, highlighted the Jardin des Tuileries’ historical significance and its resonance with the history of balloons, making it a fitting site for this monumental Cauldron.
As the Olympic Games Paris 2024 unfold, the Flying Cauldron will remain a striking symbol of innovation, history, and the spirit of the Games, soaring above the city and captivating the world.
