Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Moulin Rouge can-can dancers, an aircraft flyover, a heavy metal band, and athletes on boats parading up the river have delighted crowds.
You can also read our full coverage of the extravaganza as it happened here.
Overview of the Trocadero venue, with the Eiffel Tower looming in the background and lasers lighting up the sky, during the opening ceremony. Photo: FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP
Singer Celine Dion performs at the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics. Photo: X / The Olympic Games
Lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony. Photo: LOIC VENANCE/AFP
A balloon holding the Olympic cauldron after it was lit during the opening ceremony. Photo: PETER CZIBORRA/AFP
Torchbearer French former basketball player Tony Parker holds the Olympic flame next to French former tennis player Amelie Mauresmo during the opening ceremony Photo: OLIVIER MORIN/AFP
Singer Lady Gaga sings a song at the Sully bridge area. Photo: ARIS MESSINIS
Jo Aleh and Aaron Murray Gate, Flagbearers of Team New Zealand. Photo: HANNAH PETERS
Floriane Issert, a Gendarmerie non-commissioned officer of the National Gendarmerie, rides on a metal horse up the Seine river. Photo: MAURO PIMENTEL
The horsewoman walks with the Olympic flag past athletes at the Trocadero during the opening ceremony. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI
A heart made with red smoke by 4 planes floats in the air near Notre-Dame Cathedral. Photo: JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP
Athletes of Team New Zealand pose for a photo as they cruise along the River Seine. Photo: HANNAH PETERS
Athletes of Team Japan wave their national flags as they cruise along the River Siene during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Photo: MICHAEL REAVES
A cutout of a face is seen in the River Seine during the opening ceremony. Photo: HANNAH PETERS
Smoke clouds in the tricolours of the France flag are seen at Pont d'Austerlitz. Photo: ANN WANG / AFP
Tightrope walker Nathan Paulin performs on a high rope during the athletes' parade. Photo: MADDIE MEYER
The Olympic Torch being carried during the ceremony. Photo: PETER CZIBORRA
Team Austria, Team Azerbaijan and Team Bahamas cruise during the athletes' parade on the River Seine. Photo: MADDIE MEYER/pool/AFP
Aircrafts of the Patrouille de France are seen flying over Paris during the opening ceremony. Photo: CLODAGH KILCOYNE
Delegations sail in boats along the river Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo: MORRY GASH/AFP
It was raining in Paris for the ceremony; spectators wearing raincoats react as they hold the flags of Estonia along the Seine river embankment. Photo: NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP