Paris 2024 Olympic Cauldron flies over Paris with a fuel-free flame

A 7-metre-diametre ring of fire topped by a monumental hot-air balloon took to the skies over the French Capital. The Paris 2024 Olympic Cauldron by Mathieu Lehanneur shines with a 100% electric flame made of water and light and highlights the French Capital’s link to the theme of flight.

Paris 2024 Olympic Cauldron by Mathieu Lehanneur - Photo by ©Paris 2024.

Paris 2024 Olympic Cauldron by Mathieu Lehanneur – Photos by ©Paris 2024.

Design–Stepped across the great water basin of the Jardin des Tuileries, the Paris 2024 Olympic Cauldron takes off into the sky at sunset each evening. Both monumental and light, it is visible from hundreds of metres away for all to see. “This absolutely unique Cauldron represents all the spirit I wanted to give to the Olympic and Paralympic objects,” explains French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, who also designed the Olympic and Paralympic Torches [Read more]. “Light, magical and unifying, it will be a beacon in the night and a sun within reach during the day.” [Get up close to it from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. via free ticketing].

RELATED STORIES: Find out more about the Paris 2024 Olympics on Archipanic.

The Olympic Flame will shine without fuel for the first time in the Games’ history. The 100% electric flame is composed of a meticulous combination of a cloud of mist and beams of light. Lehanneur developed and realised this innovation in collaboration with energy provider EDF, a Partner of the Paris 2024 Olympics and the supplier of all the renewable electricity produced in France that powers the Games venues.

Visible and warm, the Flame is also a technical feat. Almost 7 metres in diameter, the ring of fire incorporates 40 LED spotlights to illuminate the cloud created by 200 high-pressure misting nozzles. Above all, EDF has succeeded in guaranteeing the flow of electricity and water 60 metres above the ground when the Cauldron is in flight.

Flying 60-metre above the ground, the balloon is a nod to the French Capital’s link to the theme of flight. It was in Paris in 1783 that humanity took to the skies for the very first flight in history. Scientist Pilâtre de Rozier and Marquis d’Arlandes flew about the city based on the Montgolfier brothers’ research.

“With a Flying Cauldron, we wanted to pay tribute to the spirit of daring, creativity, innovation – and sometimes madness!” Commented Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.