PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron has officially announced the much-anticipated return of the Olympic cauldron balloon, one of the most admired spectacles from the Paris Olympics, which will float gracefully over the French capital every summer until the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
On January 31, 2025, Macron took to TikTok to share his excitement, posting captivating visuals of the cauldron ascending through the night sky, all set to the backdrop of Celine Dion's rendition of Edith Piaf’s classic track “Hymne à l’amour” (“Hymn to Love”), the very song Dion performed during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Macron cheerfully stated, “The cauldron will be back from June 21 — Music Day in France — to mid-September until 2028.”
This innovative cauldron, notable for being the first ever to illuminate without fossil fuels, uses water and electric lighting to create its dazzling show. The 7-meter diameter ring of fire captivated thousands of spectators during the Olympics, soaring over 60 meters above the ground each evening from its launch zone adjacent to the Louvre Museum.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo welcomed this announcement on Instagram, expressing her delight: “I’m delighted... This is very, very good news,” she proclaimed, praising the cauldron as “a legacy of the Paris Games we’ll always cherish.” The cauldron, initially situated within the Tuileries Gardens throughout the Olympics, will return to this enchanting location for the summer seasons to come.
Every evening, from late June until mid-September, the cauldron will once again dazzle the capital, reminiscent of its captivating displays during the 2024 Games. This summer event is set to be more than just the return of the cauldron; it promises to be accompanied by various sporting and cultural activities, such as free sports initiations and exhibitions highlighting the history of the Olympic movement. Parisians and tourists alike can look forward to engaging with the Olympic spirit anew, creating unique summertime memories.
The decision for the cauldron’s return not only aims to celebrate the collective experience of the Paris Games but also to reinforce connections between the two Olympic cities, as attention shifts from Paris 2024 to Los Angeles 2028. Macron emphasized this goal, stating the cauldron will strengthen ties between successive Olympic editions and promote universal values associated with sport.
This announcement arrives after the overwhelming success of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which provided much-needed momentum and positivity for residents amid various challenges. The cauldron balloon’s stunning rise was a highlight, celebrated daily by thousands who gathered to witness its ascent.
The promise of returning festivities highlights how the Olympic and Paralympic legacy will continue to inspire and engage the community. Hidalgo's excitement reflects this shared sentiment among local leaders and citizens eager to relive those remarkable moments.
Preparing for this annual event aligns with commitments made by officials to create lasting memories from the Games, ensuring the cauldron’s place as not just a fleeting moment, but part of the fabric of Parisian summers.
Both Macron and Hidalgo have stressed the importance of maintaining the enthusiasm generated by the Games, serving as motivation for future generations. The cauldron will serve as both symbol and celebration, uniting people through shared experiences.
Indeed, the Olympic cauldron, with its visual grandeur, is set become the centerpiece of summer celebrations, beckoning to all who wish to partake. Whether local or visitor, all will have the opportunity to bask in the radiance of the cauldron, feeling the thrill of the Olympic spirit echo through the Tuileries.
With athletic events and cultural displays alongside the nightly showings of the cauldron, anticipation builds for what promises to be joyous and unifying summers leading up to the Los Angeles Games. This initiative embodies the values of inclusion and community inherent to the Olympic movement, bridging distances between athletes and fans across continents.
The return of the cauldron balloon reaffirms Paris’s commitment to celebrating its Olympic legacy. Through experiences filled with excitement and inspiration, the enchanting light of the Olympic cauldron will continue to burn bright above the City of Light, captivating those who gaze upon it until the Games are hosted once again.