For the first time in the history of the Summer Olympics, the opening ceremony took place outside of a stadium.

Athletes paraded down the Seine River on boats, passing some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks. Thousands of people watched from stands lining the river. There were also big screens set up across the city to allow as many fans as possible to watch the event.

The six-kilometer (roughly 3.7-mile) route ended in front of the famous Trocadéro, opposite the Eiffel Tower.

The ceremony closed with Celine Dion singing Edith Piaf’s “Hymne À L’Amour" from the first level of the Eiffel Tower.

The lit Olympic cauldron can be seen in the air through the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.
The lit Olympic cauldron can be seen in the air through the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
Canadian singer Celine Dion<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fsport%2Flive-news%2Fparis-olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-seine%23h_c6b18dfa9802dc3e75cec1847c89a43d"> performs Edith Piaf’s “Hymne À L’Amour,”</a> one of the French singer’s most well-known songs, on the Eiffel Tower at the end of the ceremony. It was <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fsport%2Flive-news%2Fparis-olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-seine%23h_945df2b5b333e0d9d7e69897941ac986">her first performance</a> since her diagnosis with stiff person syndrome.
Canadian singer Celine Dion performs Edith Piaf’s “Hymne À L’Amour,” one of the French singer’s most well-known songs, on the Eiffel Tower at the end of the ceremony. It was her first performance since her diagnosis with stiff person syndrome.
Olympic Broadcasting Services/AP
The lit cauldron is seen from the Louvre.
The lit cauldron is seen from the Louvre.
Ricardo Mazalan/AP
People watch the opening ceremony from a bar in Paris.
People watch the opening ceremony from a bar in Paris.
Aurelien Morissard/AP
Tennis star Rafael Nadal carries the Olympic flame aboard a boat with a few famous former Olympians: from left, Carl Lewis, Nadia Comăneci and Serena Williams.
Tennis star Rafael Nadal carries the Olympic flame aboard a boat with a few famous former Olympians: from left, Carl Lewis, Nadia Comăneci and Serena Williams.
Christophe Ena/AP
Volunteers carry flags on the Jena Bridge, which crosses the Seine River in Paris.
Volunteers carry flags on the Jena Bridge, which crosses the Seine River in Paris.
Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images
The ceremony speeches were held in front of the Eiffel Tower following the Parade of Nations.
The ceremony speeches were held in front of the Eiffel Tower following the Parade of Nations.
Francois-Xavier Marit/Pool/Reuters
French soccer icon Zinedine Zidane, right, hands off the Olympic torch to Rafael Nadal, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fsport%2Flive-news%2Fparis-olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-seine%23h_249177297f865db4aab2621e59ee0965">the Spanish tennis star</a> who has won two Olympic gold medals and a record 14 French Opens. The torch passed to various athletes before ending up with Riner and Pérec.
French soccer icon Zinedine Zidane, right, hands off the Olympic torch to Rafael Nadal, the Spanish tennis star who has won two Olympic gold medals and a record 14 French Opens. The torch passed to various athletes before ending up with Riner and Pérec.
Vegard Grøtt/Bildbyrån/Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron attends the opening ceremony.
French President Emmanuel Macron attends the opening ceremony.
Pascal Le Segretain/Pool/AP
Flashes of lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower.
Flashes of lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower.
Robert F. Bukaty/AP
Floriane Issert, a noncommissioned officer of the National Gendarmerie, presents the Olympic flag at the Trocadéro.
Floriane Issert, a noncommissioned officer of the National Gendarmerie, presents the Olympic flag at the Trocadéro.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris organizing committee, speaks during the opening ceremony. On the left is Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee.
Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris organizing committee, speaks during the opening ceremony. On the left is Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee.
Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Issert wore the Olympic flag as she <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fsport%2Flive-news%2Fparis-olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-seine%23h_8b8665772097d280bfa8418324861f82">rode a metal horse aboard a boat that traveled down the Seine River.</a>
Issert wore the Olympic flag as she rode a metal horse aboard a boat that traveled down the Seine River.
Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images
US flag bearers LeBron James and Coco Gauff travel with other American athletes during the Parade of Nations.
US flag bearers LeBron James and Coco Gauff travel with other American athletes during the Parade of Nations.
Ashley Landis/Pool/AP
The ceremony <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fsport%2Flive-news%2Fparis-olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-seine%23h_70a19b7538b2f683ea78529e96900e99">depicted scenes from the French Revolution</a>. Here, smoke billows near windows at the Conciergerie, the site where Marie Antoinette, the last French queen prior to the revolution, was imprisoned.
The ceremony depicted scenes from the French Revolution. Here, smoke billows near windows at the Conciergerie, the site where Marie Antoinette, the last French queen prior to the revolution, was imprisoned.
Bernat Armangue/Pool/AP
French athletes wave flags as they travel down the Seine during the Parade of Nations.
French athletes wave flags as they travel down the Seine during the Parade of Nations.
Franck Fife/Pool/AP
The flag of St. Kitts and Nevis is reflected in the glasses of a spectator.
The flag of St. Kitts and Nevis is reflected in the glasses of a spectator.
Steph Chambers/Getty Images
This aerial photo shows the Notre Dame cathedral as boats pass by on the Seine. As part of the ceremony, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fsport%2Flive-news%2Fparis-olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-seine%23h_f4e1c79bb5cf9047ee74b7e7515bfe52">the bells of Notre Dame rang for the first time</a> since the iconic cathedral was gutted by fire in 2019. It is 90% restored.
This aerial photo shows the Notre Dame cathedral as boats pass by on the Seine. As part of the ceremony, the bells of Notre Dame rang for the first time since the iconic cathedral was gutted by fire in 2019. It is 90% restored.
Lionel Bonaventure/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
British athletes walk near the Eiffel Tower. A steady rain fell during much of the ceremony.
British athletes walk near the Eiffel Tower. A steady rain fell during much of the ceremony.
Andy Wong/AP
Olympians from the United States travel down the Seine.
Olympians from the United States travel down the Seine.
Matthias Schrader/AP
A torch bearer runs atop the Musee d'Orsay during the opening ceremony.
A torch bearer runs atop the Musee d'Orsay during the opening ceremony.
Peter Cziborra/Pool/AP
Spectators watch Israeli athletes during the Parade of Nations.
Spectators watch Israeli athletes during the Parade of Nations.
Nir Elias/Pool/AP
Performers take part in the opening ceremony.
Performers take part in the opening ceremony.
Maddie Meyer/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Palestinian athletes wave flags during the Parade of Nations.
Palestinian athletes wave flags during the Parade of Nations.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
French mezzo-soprano opera singer Axelle Saint-Cirel <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fsport%2Flive-news%2Fparis-olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-seine%23h_c314aa00e3b25d6981ba1fc0127ac82b">performs "La Marseillaise,"</a> France's national anthem, on the roof of the Grand Palais.
French mezzo-soprano opera singer Axelle Saint-Cirel performs "La Marseillaise," France's national anthem, on the roof of the Grand Palais.
Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images
Fans watch the ceremony near the Seine River.
Fans watch the ceremony near the Seine River.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Dancers perform on a roof during the opening ceremony.
Dancers perform on a roof during the opening ceremony.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Australian athletes hang out on their boat together during the opening ceremony.
Australian athletes hang out on their boat together during the opening ceremony.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Planes perform over the Seine River during the ceremony. A shape of a heart was made in the sky.
Planes perform over the Seine River during the ceremony. A shape of a heart was made in the sky.
Aijaz Rahi/Pool/Getty Images
Libyan athletes participate in the Parade of Nations. Some nations shared the same boat.
Libyan athletes participate in the Parade of Nations. Some nations shared the same boat.
Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images
A performer sits on a bridge at the start of the ceremony.
A performer sits on a bridge at the start of the ceremony.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
North Korean athletes wave during the Parade of Nations. North Korea <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F09%2F08%2Fsport%2Fnorth-korea-beijing-olympics-intl-hnk-spt%2Findex.html">was barred from competing at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing</a> as part of its punishment for its “unilateral decision” to drop out of the Summer Games in Tokyo in 2021.
North Korean athletes wave during the Parade of Nations. North Korea was barred from competing at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as part of its punishment for its “unilateral decision” to drop out of the Summer Games in Tokyo in 2021.
Tingshu Wang/Reuters
Jill Biden, the first lady of the United States, attends the opening ceremony.
Jill Biden, the first lady of the United States, attends the opening ceremony.
Thibault Camus/AP
Lady Gaga performs during the ceremony. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fsport%2Flive-news%2Fparis-olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-seine%23h_8fc6acef53f5652399ccbe46b1c0fffe">She had a fresh take</a> on the song “Mon truc en plumes” by iconic French artist Zizi Jeanmaire.
Lady Gaga performs during the ceremony. She had a fresh take on the song “Mon truc en plumes” by iconic French artist Zizi Jeanmaire.
Luca Bruno/AP
German basketball player Satou Sabally takes a selfie with other athletes on a boat during the Parade of Nations.
German basketball player Satou Sabally takes a selfie with other athletes on a boat during the Parade of Nations.
Annegret Hilse/Pool/AP
The colors of the French national flag are seen at the start of the ceremony.
The colors of the French national flag are seen at the start of the ceremony.
Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at center in the blue jacket, watches the ceremony from the stands.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at center in the blue jacket, watches the ceremony from the stands.
Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Brazilian athletes wave flags as they travel along the Seine River.
Brazilian athletes wave flags as they travel along the Seine River.
Carl de Souza/Pool/Getty Images
Athletes from Greece lead the traditional Parade of Nations.
Athletes from Greece lead the traditional Parade of Nations.
Matthias Schrader/AP
Parisians wait inside their apartment to watch the parade from a window.
Parisians wait inside their apartment to watch the parade from a window.
Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Entertainers Cynthia Erivo, center left, and Ariana Grande arrive for the opening ceremony.
Entertainers Cynthia Erivo, center left, and Ariana Grande arrive for the opening ceremony.
Natacha Pisarenko/AP
People stand on balconies in Paris to watch the ceremony.
People stand on balconies in Paris to watch the ceremony.
Luca Bruno/AP
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before the ceremony.
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before the ceremony.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Ukrainian athletes stand on a boat ahead of the Parade of Nations.
Ukrainian athletes stand on a boat ahead of the Parade of Nations.
Clodagh Kilcoyne/Pool/AP
Security officers patrol Paris by boat before the start of the ceremony.
Security officers patrol Paris by boat before the start of the ceremony.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Spectators wait for the ceremony to start.
Spectators wait for the ceremony to start.
Thibault Camus/AP
Law enforcement officers keep watch in Paris.
Law enforcement officers keep watch in Paris.
Markus Gilliar/GES Sportfoto/Getty Images
Travellers from Sydney wait outside the Gare Montparnasse train station on Friday. Just hours before the opening ceremony, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fsport%2Flive-news%2Fparis-olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-seine%23h_3e01b5ed3f2771f05d04f206fbffd246">France’s high-speed train lines were targeted by several “malicious” acts</a>, including arson, in what has been described as “coordinated sabotage” to disrupt travel ahead of the Games. An estimated 800,000 travelers could be affected over the weekend.
Travellers from Sydney wait outside the Gare Montparnasse train station on Friday. Just hours before the opening ceremony, France’s high-speed train lines were targeted by several “malicious” acts, including arson, in what has been described as “coordinated sabotage” to disrupt travel ahead of the Games. An estimated 800,000 travelers could be affected over the weekend.
Maye-E Wong/Reuters