PARIS — Paris will begin its Olympics extravaganza with an unprecedented opening ceremony on the river Seine on July 26th.

Here is what you need to know about the ceremony:

What will we see?

Organisers have promised a show like no other.

Unlike for previous Olympics, the Paris 2024 opening ceremony will not take place in a stadium.

Instead, dozens of boats will carry thousands of athletes and performers on a 6km route along the Seine.

Departing from the Austerlitz bridge, the parade will sail by Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral and arrive near the Eiffel Tower, after passing under bridges and gateways, including the Pont des Arts and Pont Neuf, and near many of the French capital's landmarks.

Organisers have said they will take advantage of the historic monuments, the riverbanks, the sky and water "and there won't be a single riverbank or bridge that won't be filled with music, dance, or performance." The show will have twelve parts, some of which will play on cliches about France.

Athletes and artists will take part in the parade together.

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