Paris – 18.06.2026: The symbolic flame of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games is returning this summer to the Jardin des Tuileries. From June 21 to September 14, 2026, it will rise into the sky every evening at sunset. This impressive installation was designed by Mathieu Lehanneur and consists of a 100% electric flame created exclusively from water and light. It is carried by a hot air balloon with a diameter of 22.4 meters, developed by the company Aérophile, which lifts the flame into the sky every evening.
The project was initiated by the President of the Republic in cooperation with the city of Paris and coordinated by the Prefecture of the Île-de-France region as well as the Prefecture of Paris. Support comes from several institutions and partners such as the Louvre, EDF, Aimko, designer Mathieu Lehanneur, and the Olympic federations. The goal is to keep the Olympic legacy of the successful Paris 2024 Games alive and especially to inspire young people with the values of sport and the Olympic Games.
During the day, the flame is freely accessible in the Jardin des Tuileries, no reservation required. In the evening, when the park closes, visitors can watch the spectacle of the flame rising from outside. Thus, the event will provide both Parisians and tourists with a special cultural experience in the heart of the capital.
In the previous year, 2025, the flame already attracted 2.5 million visitors, demonstrating the great resonance and the public’s connection with this symbol. After the 2026 season, a final presentation of the flame is planned for summer 2027.
The opening hours of the Jardin des Tuileries during the event are coordinated with the flame’s appearance:
– June 21 to July 31: 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM
– August: 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM
– September 1 to 14: 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Further information and daily updates about the flame’s ascent, depending on weather conditions, are available on the official event website.
The project provides a strong impulse for cultural life in Paris while impressively preserving the memory of the 2024 Olympic Games. It completes the city’s commitment to promote Olympic values even after the major event and to offer the population a sustainable, engaging experience.