Image source, Reuters

That was a journey but one well worth sticking with for just over four hours.

Organisers attempted to pull off something rather special and unique along the River Seine and I think they did a fantastic job.

Thanks for joining us and make sure you come back tomorrow when the 2024 Paris Olympics get in full swing.

Many will be itching to see the start of the sporting events. Here's a list of tomorrow's gold medal events - and a reminder that we'll be live on BBC One each day with the best of the action, while there's also a Red Button/BBC iPlayer extra stream. More details of our TV offering is here.

Saturday's gold medal events

Diving(women's synchro 3m springboard),fencing(women's epee, men's sabre),judo(women's -48kg, men's -60kg),road cycling(men's and women's individual time trial),rugby sevens(men's),shooting(mixed team 10m air rifle),skateboard(men's street),swimming(men's 400m free, women's 400m free, women's 4x100m free relay, men's 4x100m free relay).

James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Trocadéro

The weeks, the months - the years - of planning all led to that unique finale of Céline Dion singing atop the Eiffel Tower.

Her comeback performance capped off a remarkable, joyful spectacle that stretched several kilometres along the River Seine.

As the athletes filtered into the Trocadéro viewing area, it was plain to see how much this moment meant to them, as they gleefully took pictures and danced. Yes, they were rain-soaked - but far from "misérable" as the evening of famous French tunes played out along with a light show.

And what a relief it must have been for Emmanuel Macron, after today's railway sabotage, not to mention long-running question marks over how the security of such an ambitious and high-stakes event could be guaranteed.

Sporting royalty, a boat procession and even a hot air balloon torch - tonight it was artistic director Thomas Jolly who lit up Paris with his tradition-smashing spectacle.

From tomorrow, it's over to the athletes.

And here's the highlights to look out for on day one in Paris.

Road cycling’s time trial is a chance for Josh Tarling to get Team GB’s Olympics off to a flying start. The 20-year-old won the European title last year and is considered a contender in the men’s event, which for the first time at an Olympics uses the same course as the women’s, taking in sections of forest alongside Paris monuments like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. The women’s time trial featuring GB’s Anna Henderson, a European silver medallist, starts at 13:30 with the men’s event at 15:34.

In the swimming, Saturday night brings a hotly anticipated three or even four-way contest in the women’s 400m freestyle (19:55). US legend Katie Ledecky lost to Australia’s Ariarne Titmus in 2021 and Titmus won last year’s world title, too, while Canadian 17-year-old Summer McIntosh is the world record-holder. New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather is also expected to do well. The Brits have a shot at a medal in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay (20:37). Adam Peaty will be competing in the 100m breaststroke heats (10:00).

GB divers Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen go in the women’s 3m synchro from 10:00. They won world silver in 2023 behind China.

Men’s rugby sevens is already on its final day. France will be hoping Antoine Dupont, who skipped the Six Nations to prepare for this, can lead the hosts to a famous title at the Stade de France. The final is at 18:45.

Eleanor Oldroyd
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

It was so romantic. Every moment was romantic, Paris is a romantic place as we know.

The way it finished with the Eiffel Tower lit up and just that glorious music.

An appearance from pop superstar Lady Gaga was heavily rumoured and the American was even pictured in Paris before the ceremony.

We didn't have to wait long for the 13-time Grammy award winner to grace us with a song.

Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don't think I've ever been so proud to be Parisian after this tonight and we knew it was going to be special and unique because it had never been done before but to see the city like this, even the rain could not ruin it.

Let's begin just as the opening ceremony did, with France football legend Zinedine Zidane carrying the Olympic torch before it was taken by a masked individual.

We never did discover who that person was, rather frustratingly.

Here's the video clip that got us all started.

And with that stunning performance the Paris 2024 opening ceremony comes to a close.

Shall we take a look back at some of the best moments and what is to come on day one of the Games?

Ian Youngs
Entertainment and Arts Reporter, BBC News

Image source, Getty Images

Celine Dion's performance on the Eiffel Tower was her first since she revealed a serious health condition in 2022 - and she thrilled the crowds with a typical powerhouse vocal.

The Canadian superstar had been widely expected to sing a duet with Lady Gaga, but instead went solo to bring the opening ceremony to a climax.

Dion's live comeback came a year and a half after she was forced to curtail her world tour following a diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). It's a rare neurological disorder that causes muscles to spasm and had affected her voice.

She has been having therapy to “rebuild” her voice, as she told the BBC last month, in order to perform again - and on this evidence it has worked.

James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Trocadéro

What a way to make a comeback by Céline Dion - you'll remember that she cancelled her upcoming shows after revealing in 2022 she had a rare neurological condition called Stiff Person Syndrome.

A powerful performance that gripped the spectators where I'm sat. Or, rather - stood, now.

Image source, EPA

Mo

Only one song but Celine Dion does not disappoint.

A very emotional rendition of Hymne A L'Amour brings the house down.

Alex

One of the most spectacular moments of an incredible opening ceremony has been the lights show at the Eiffel Tower.

Image source, Getty Images

Here is the moment you've all been waiting for... Celine Dion!

And not just Celine Dion but Celine Dion on a stage midway up the Eiffel Tower.

Alistair Bruce-Ball
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

There is a sparking orange glow and an incredible circle of flame that lifts and engulfs that entire Olympic cauldron.

This is incredible.

I thought the hot air balloon was just for show but it rises high into the Paris sky.

What a sight.

Image source, Getty Images

French judoka Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-José Pérec, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, are the chosen two.

They stride up to the cauldron, which is below a hot air balloon and lower their torches in tandem.