The Olympic opening ceremony route on the Seine, by private boat

On 26 July 2024, the Olympic delegations left the Pont d'Austerlitz and made their way to the Trocadéro aboard boats, travelling along the Seine. For the first time, an opening ceremony left the stadium behind and made the entire city its setting. More than two years on, this route remains one of the most evocative in the capital, and you can follow it again, at your own pace, with a group.

This article takes a different angle from our guides to the monuments you can see from the water: here, the aim is to follow one specific thread, that of the ceremony, and to prepare the landmarks you can point out to your guests, stage by stage.

A simple route to follow: from Austerlitz to the Trocadéro

The 2024 route followed the historic heart of Paris from east to west, covering around six kilometres of the Seine. It passed through the islands, skirted the great museums, then finished in front of the Eiffel Tower. That is precisely what makes it so well suited to a private outing: the progression is easy to follow, each bridge opens onto a new scene, and the arrival provides a natural finale.

On a private boat, you stay in control of the schedule. You can move along at the pace of the ceremony, slow down in front of a monument that matters to you, or plan a stop at the end. The exact route depends on the boat's availability, navigation permits and river conditions on the day. We confirm it with you before the booking.

Austerlitz, the Institut du monde arabe and the two islands

The departure point is the Pont d'Austerlitz, opposite the Jardin des Plantes and the station of the same name. It is the ideal moment to set the scene: the delegations gathered here before heading west, watched by crowds packed along the quays.

Very quickly, the Seine narrows around the two islands. On the Left Bank, the façade of the Institut du monde arabe catches the eye with its metal panels; further along, the Île Saint-Louis unfolds its grand townhouses. This calm, thoroughly Parisian stretch is perfect for a welcome drink. Here you can explain how the city turned its quays into grandstands.

• Pont d'Austerlitz and Jardin des Plantes: the 2024 starting point.
• Institut du monde arabe: an easily identifiable architectural landmark.
• Île Saint-Louis, then the Île de la Cité: the entrance to the Paris of its origins.

Notre-Dame, the Conciergerie and the Pont Neuf

Once past the Île Saint-Louis, you sail alongside Notre-Dame, which reopened to the public in December 2024 after the restoration work that followed the fire of 2019. From the water, the rebuilt spire and the cathedral's silhouette stand out clearly. Our article on Notre-Dame seen from a boat details the best angles and the light at different times of day.

A little further on, the Conciergerie, a former royal prison, provided a spectacular backdrop during the ceremony, with its windows and towers. It makes an excellent anecdote for your guests: one building that has been, in turn, a palace, a prison and an Olympic stage. The Pont Neuf, despite its name, is the oldest surviving bridge in Paris; it marks the western tip of the Île de la Cité and the passage towards the great vistas.

From the Louvre to the Pont d'Orsay and the Pont de la Concorde

The next stretch is the richest in landmarks. The Louvre extends along the Right Bank, facing the Institut de France and the Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor or the Pont des Arts, depending on which side you look. On the Left Bank, the Musée d'Orsay, housed in a former railway station, is recognisable by its great glass roof.

Further on come the Tuileries Garden, where the Olympic cauldron and its balloon left their mark on people's memories, then the Place de la Concorde. This section lends itself well to a little quiz or a guided commentary: ask your guests which moments of the ceremony they place at which spot. Our pages on the monuments seen from a boat on the Seine give you a complete source of information to prepare this commentary.

Pont Alexandre III, Les Invalides and the Pont de l'Alma

The Pont Alexandre III is arguably the most ornate bridge in Paris: gilded lampposts, nymphs, winged horses. On its right, the Grand Palais, which hosted Olympic events, shows off its full glass roof. This part of the journey is a highlight for the group photo.

The Seine then flows past the Esplanade des Invalides before reaching the Pont de l'Alma, famous for its Zouave statue, which Parisians use as a flood gauge. Say a few words about this little stone figure: it adds a local touch and a bit of humour before the arrival. For more ideas on this theme, see our selection of the most beautiful bridges in Paris by boat.

Arriving at the Trocadéro, facing the Eiffel Tower

The last few hundred metres glide beneath the Passerelle Debilly and then the Pont d'Iéna, with the Eiffel Tower on one side and the Trocadéro gardens on the other. This is where the ceremony ended, and where your outing reaches its high point too. Plan a stop or a slow turn so that everyone can enjoy the view and have time to take photographs.

If you set off in the evening, think about the tower's sparkle, which punctuates the dusk on the hour; you will find practical details in our guide to the Eiffel Tower sparkle by boat.

Planning your outing: duration, format and commentary

For a group, preparation is key. Here is what makes the difference:

• Choosing the boat: a yacht suits smaller groups, while a cruising barge suits larger numbers.
• The pace: allow enough time to comment on each section without rushing the navigation.
• The commentary: a sheet of ten landmarks, handed out in advance or read aloud on board, is more than enough.
• The atmosphere: cocktails, dinner or simply a drink depending on the occasion, from a corporate seminar to a birthday among friends.

Finally, bear in mind that any route is subject to the weather, the river level and navigation rules. Our team will suggest the most realistic boarding point and route, so that the experience stays true to the spirit of 2024 without making promises that cannot be kept.