Paris 2024 Paralympics: photos of the best moments from the ...

On the evening of Wednesday 28 August, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were officially opened at a magnificent and sumptuous ceremony held on the Place de la Concorde. Here's a look back at this magical evening.

Théo Curin to kick off the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

The Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games kicked off with a sequence featuring former French Para swimmer Théo Curin. In his taxi decorated with Paralympic symbols, he opened the ceremony by arriving at the Place de la Concorde and shouting "Welcome to Paris!" Blue, white and red fireworks then lit up the Parisian sky.

Picture by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

Picture by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

The magic of the Patrouille de France strikes again

The Phrygians then took to the stage... to announce the arrival of the delegations, as well as the planes of the Patrouille de France.

Picture by Naomi Baker/Getty Images

A magnificent parade of athletes

The 90-minute athletes' parade ended at sunset with the arrival of the French delegation to the sounds of “Champs-Élysées”, “Que je t'aime”, “Lettre à France” and “Emmenez-moi”. Led by Nantenin Keïta and Alexis Hanquinquant, the delegation included almost 150 Para sport personnel. During the parade, the Phrygians danced to the rhythm of DJ Myd's music.

Picture by Gonzalo Fuentes - Pool/Getty Images

Picture by Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Picture by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The Concorde obelisk in the colours of France

As the French flag was raised by French Army veterans to the sound of La Marseillaise revised by Victor Le Masne and performed by the Ensemble Matheus, the colours blue, white and red were projected onto the Concorde obelisk. A magical moment.

Picture by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Emmanuel Macron declares the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games open

Following speeches by Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, and Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, officially declared the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games open.

Picture by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The arrival of the Paralympic Flame

As the Paralympic flag entered the Concorde and the Paralympic oath was read out by Arnaud Assoumani and Sandrine Martinet, the Paralympic Flame arrived on stage carried by Florent Manaudou. Michael Jeremiasz then received the sacred flame.

Picture by Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Picture by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Picture by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

Dancers form the Paralympic Agitos

To the strains of Maurice Ravel's "Bolero", 150 dancers and performers carrying flaming torches formed the Agitos, symbols of the Paralympic Movement. Meanwhile, Beatrice Vio, Oksana Masters and Markus Rehm carried the Paralympic Flame.

Picture by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

A Paralympic Cauldron lit at 5

Markus Rehm ran from the Place de la Concorde with the Paralympic Flame to the Jardin des Tuileries. Assia El Hannouni then carried the Torch, as did Christian Lachaud and Béatrice Hess. Alexis Hanquinquant and Nantenin Keïta, in duet, then joined Elodie Lorandi, Charles-Antoine Kouakou and Fabien Lamirault. Five of them had the honour of lighting up the Paralympic Cauldron.

Picture by David Ramos/Getty Images

Picture by Elsa/Getty Images

Picture by Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Picture by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

A fireworks finale

With Christine and the Queens singing "Born to be alive", the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games ended with a magnificent, gigantic fireworks display. The song "Je t'aime moi non plus" finally brought the proceedings to a close.

Picture by Michael Reaves/Getty Images