2024 Summer Olympics cauldron

The 2024 cauldron is a fountain sculpture in the Tuileries Garden attached to a helium balloon that floats near the Grand Bassin Rond. The ring measures 7 meters in diameter and rises up to 30 meters high, with water jets and LED lights forming a floating flame that becomes visible at night.

The structure was built for the Summer Olympics in 2024, when Paris hosted the Games again after a century. The cauldron remained after the ceremony as a monument and will be lit annually until the 2028 Games.

The name refers to the opening ceremony of the Summer Games in August 2024, when the basin first lit up. Today the balloon rises on summer evenings and draws walkers who gather at the edge of the pond to watch the glowing presence above the trees.

The basin stands near the round pond in the garden and is visible from the paths during the day even without lighting. Evening displays take place on selected days, and a walk along the avenues leads directly to the site.

The balloon uses helium instead of hot air, so it floats gently above the water in calm weather. The 200 nozzles on the ring produce mist that looks like flames in the lamplight without releasing heat or smoke.

Location: 1st arrondissement of Paris

Creator: Mathieu Lehanneur, Électricité de France, ArcelorMittal

Official opening: July 26, 2024

Website: https://lavasque.paris2024.org

GPS coordinates: 48.86289,2.32931

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:00