Two years after its debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, the floating cauldron, or vasque, remains a prominent feature of the Parisian skyline. Throughout the summer, the giant glowing balloon carrying the cauldron has continued to make regular appearances, drifting over the city during the nighttime hours.
On a recent warm August evening, hundreds of spectators gathered in the green space between the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden. The area was already packed with onlookers several hours before the scheduled liftoff. At 9:30 p.m., a hush fell over the crowd as the luminous balloon began its slow ascent. As it rose and bobbed a couple hundred feet overhead, the scene prompted applause from the audience, with many capturing the moment through photographs, videos, and selfies.
For those watching, the display evoked the whimsical spirit of the classic French film The Red Balloon. In a season where European skies have frequently been obscured by wildfire smoke or the presence of drones, the sight of the Olympic balloon offered a rare, purely delightful experience for those looking up.
At 9:30 p.m., a hush fell as the luminous balloon began its slow ascent. Some people broke into applause. As the balloon carrying the cauldron rose and bobbed a couple hundred feet overhead, many got busy taking photos and recording videos and selfies.
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