France's most decorated track and field athlete Marie-José Perec and three-time Olympic judo gold medalist Teddy Riner lit the fire together at the Paris Olympics.
French President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the Games open.
The spectacular, impressive and rain-soaked opening ceremony was not held in a stadium for the first time.
"I declare open the Paris Games, which mark the 33rd Olympics of the modern era," Macron declared, exactly 100 years after Paris last hosted the event.
At the beginning, an unprecedented armada of 7,000 athletes marched down the Seine.
The Bulgarian delegation, led by the flag bearers Stanimira Petrova and Lyubomir Epitropov, greeted the audience.
Canadian singer Celine Dion sang from the Eiffel Tower to bring down the curtain on the ceremony.
The 56-year-old "My Heart Will Go On" singer appeared on the lower level of the iconic Paris landmark to perform the song just minutes after Riner and Perec lit the fire.
Organizing Committee President Tony Estange and IOC President Thomas Bach delivered speeches.
"Courting the Games 100 years to bring them back to Paris. We put our hearts into it. A long love story connects France and the Olympics," said Estanget.
"Paris is the city of love and light. What better place to share the magic of the Olympic Games," said Bach.
10,714 athletes from 206 Olympic Committees will participate in the Paris Games. The legendary Stade de France in the French capital will close on August 11. | BGNES
