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The opening ceremony of the Olympics celebrated with a big Seine Party this Saturday!

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The Editor

© Shutterstock - Alexandre.ROSA

Exactly one year after the unforgettable opening ceremony of the Paris Games on the Seine, the city is reigniting the carefree and joyful spirit that filled the summer of 2024. This Saturday, July 26, a vibrant blend of sports, culture, and festivities will take over the river and its banks for a grand "Fête de la Seine" that is sure to last long into the future. 

On July 26, 2024, Paris experienced what will forever remain one of the highlights of its cultural history: a grand opening ceremony, held for the first time on the Seine instead of on grass, featuring a series of twelve absolutely mind-blowing artistic vignettes to kick off the Olympic Games. From bleachers or in front of their TVs, 23 million spectators (a record!) got to enjoy the show orchestrated by Thomas Jolly and his teams, listen to performances by Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura, and Céline Dion, follow the silver-clad rider on his speedy horse, and celebrate the modern, progressive, republican values that radiated proudly from every scene. A year later, the City of Paris is honoring this event with a series of activities, most of which will take place on its iconic river, as tradition now dictates. Parades, karaoke, DJ sets:

let's take a tour together of the festivities. 


A festive day on the water and the quays

Heads up, the program kicks off at dawn, no sleeping in for the sporty folks! Starting at 7:30 AM, over a hundred boats – kayaks, paddles, rowboats and dragon boats – will glide down the river from Bercy (11th) to the Port des Saints-Pères (7th).parallel, the boldest will have the chance to participate in the EDF Aqua Challenge, a open water swim race welcoming everyone in the Grenelle arm. Then, starting at 10:30 AM, it’s time for the great parade of little boats, featuring around thirty musical barges beautifully decorated, cruising from east to west, bringing to mind the magical images of the 2024 ceremony.

For the curious and families, several educational cruises are also offered, with three-hour loops from the port of Austerlitz (13th) to Choisy-le-Roi (94). The show will also be on the banks, featuring the impressive acrobatic displays by the Paris Fire Brigade gymnasts near the Marie Bridge (4th). The northeast of the capital won’t be left out with a giant picnic at Stalingrad Square (19th), followed by the inauguration of the ten gold statues that have been restored.honoring the great female figures of French History (Gisèle Halimi, Simone Veil, Simone de Beauvoir...), celebrated during the opening ceremony and recently installed on Rue de la Chapelle (18th district). 


Karaoke, Basin, and Olympic Fireworks 

Starting at 4 PM, head to Place du Châtelet for a Festival of Places that’s all about fun and participation. What's on the agenda? A Music Bingo Quiz, a DJ set hosted by the young Parisian DJ Rebequita, and, most importantly, the legendary Mr Ullmann’s Kararoke, a giant karaoke where lucky volunteers get to take the stage and sing their favorite hits – a perfect chance to revisit the anthems from the opening ceremony, including "My Feather Thing, "For Me Incredible", "Imagine", "Louxor I Love You" or "The Hymn to Love", even if...on breaks the atmosphere, you won't reach the intensity of Céline Dion's performance. 

Finally, to conclude this beautiful day, head to the Tuileries at 9:30 PM to witness a highly symbolic moment: the launch of the Olympic flame, accompanied by a projection of the rings on the illuminated Eiffel Tower.