The top 5 Francophone moments of the Paris 2024 opening ceremony

A surprise appearance from Zinédine Zidane

Who better to kick off the festivities than the French football legend, stunning Jamel Debbouze in an allusion to Asterix at the Olympic Games: “Zizou Christ!” And the cinematic references didn’t stop there – spectators couldn’t hide their delight watching Zidane and the Olympic flame weaving through traffic in Paris, a nod to the musicals of Jacques Demy and depictions of the capital in the films of Jacques Tati.

Zizi Jeanmaire reincarnated as Lady Gaga

On the banks of the Seine, a pair of legs in black tights emerged from an enormous plume of feathers… Only to reveal Lady Gaga! Never one to shy away from a challenge, the American singer kicked off the Olympic Games with a rendition of Mon truc en plumes (my thing with feathers) – a reincarnation of the French music hall entertainment of the 1960s. It was a joyful and eye-catching tribute to the French dancer and singer Zizi Jeanmaire.

The Haitian delegation dressed up to the nines

Haiti surely wins the vote for the best-dressed athletes of the competition, tying with Mongolia. Their elegant attire is the brainchild of Haitian-Italian designer Stella Jean, who paid tribute to her country by creating outfits based on pieces by Haitian painter Philippe Dodard. The female athletes were kitted out in chambray shirts made with traditional blue cotton, while the male athletes donned field jackets inspired by Haitian Guayabera shirts.

Aya Nakamura lights up the Republican Guard

Proudly performing in front of the Académie Française, the French‑Malian singer – the most-listened to Francophone artist worldwide – reinvented Charles Aznavour’s classic For Me Formidable, accompanied by an inscrutable Republican Guard, and danced to her hit song Djadja. It was a magical moment that we can’t stop rewatching!

A glittering array of dance performances

For this magical evening, the Passerelle Debilly bridge was transformed into a dancefloor over the Seine to celebrate the diversity and talent of dancers – such as the French-Congolese figurehead of “waacking”, Princess Madoki, Quebec’s krump prodigy Adeline Kerry Cruz, French‑Algerian Bboy Haiper, who overcomes his disability by breakdancing, and the breathtakingly elegant principal dancer Germain Louvet.

#CrémeDeLaCréme: the gold medal for emotion goes to Céline Dion

The French Canadian superstar made a triumphant return after a four‑year break from performing. Overlooking the capital from the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, Céline was radiant in a white dress by Dior, moving the whole world with her beautiful and powerful rendition of Edith Piaf’s L’Hymne à l’Amour.