The ceremony featured Canadian singer Celine Dion's triumphant comeback. Battling a rare illness, Dion delivered a powerful rendition of Edith Piaf's "Hymn to Love" from the Eiffel Tower's summit. Her performance coincided with the cauldron lighting by France's most decorated track athlete, Marie-Jose Perec, and three-time Olympic gold judoka, Teddy Riner, which soared into the Paris sky in a balloon. This emotional return followed Dion's announcement in December 2022 about her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome, an incurable autoimmune disorder, marking a significant moment of resilience and inspiration.

Adding to the eclectic celebration of French culture, 80 Moulin Rouge artists performed the iconic cancan dance with a modern electronic twist, and an accordion player serenaded teams parading down the Seine. French Malian singer Aya Nakamura, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, performed amid a diverse and inclusive segment promoting tolerance. The highlight included ten statues of pioneering French women rising from the Seine, symbolizing their enduring legacy. The ceremony's music ranged from classical and opera to pop and electro, with standout performances by Lady Gaga and French metal band Gojira, the first metal band to perform at an Olympic opening ceremony.

The ceremony featured Canadian singer Celine Dion's triumphant comeback. Battling a rare illness, Dion delivered a powerful rendition of Edith Piaf's "Hymn to Love" from the Eiffel Tower's summit. Her performance coincided with the cauldron lighting by France's most decorated track athlete, Marie-Jose Perec, and three-time Olympic gold judoka, Teddy Riner, which soared into the Paris sky in a balloon. This emotional return followed Dion's announcement in December 2022 about her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome, an incurable autoimmune disorder, marking a significant moment of resilience and inspiration.

Adding to the eclectic celebration of French culture, 80 Moulin Rouge artists performed the iconic cancan dance with a modern electronic twist, and an accordion player serenaded teams parading down the Seine. French Malian singer Aya Nakamura, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, performed amid a diverse and inclusive segment promoting tolerance. The highlight included ten statues of pioneering French women rising from the Seine, symbolizing their enduring legacy. The ceremony's music ranged from classical and opera to pop and electro, with standout performances by Lady Gaga and French metal band Gojira, the first metal band to perform at an Olympic opening ceremony.