Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron
Mathieu Lehanneur, EDF
2024
In collaboration with Mathieu Lehanneur, the Olympic cauldron stands as an iconic and poetic work, meticulously designed by Blam from the initial pre-project phases initiated by EDF. This unique creation merges technical expertise with a contemporary aesthetic vision of the flame, contributing to the intensity of the symbolic moment during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Paris 2024 Cauldron embodies the power of the Olympic symbol while representing a resolutely sustainable and technically impressive feat, thanks to a lighting system powered entirely by electricity and water.
The flame, which takes the form of a floating ring, relies on the simultaneous projection of a mist cloud and a beam of light. This mechanism creates an electric, vivid, and dynamic flame, capturing attention with its resemblance to real combustion. The fusion of mist and light gives rise to a scene in perpetual motion, where the flame seems to feed on the surrounding air, casting a mesmerizing presence over the Paris sky.
Beyond its aesthetics, the cauldron is the result of in-depth research into materials, combining mechanical performance with aesthetic sensitivity. Every detail and element was meticulously thought out and designed to offer a visual and emotional experience. Craftsmanship was elevated through material choices and manufacturing techniques that respect both technical requirements and the desire for longevity.
Through its light, energy, and architecture, the work seeks to awaken a collective imagination of unity, solidarity, and excellence, while embodying a commitment to a more sustainable future.
location
Jardin des Tuileries, Paris , France
year
client
Paris 2024 & EDF
images
blam
Guillaume Lavrut
Mathias Filippini
Felipe Ribon
mission
Technical design, Prototyping, Production, Installation
collaborators
Mathieu Lehanneur - Design
dimensions
Height: up to 60.00m in the air
Diameter: 7.00m
role
Mechanical and hydraulic engineering, Lighting design, Metalwork, Boilermaking
Two years passed between blam joining the project and the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Games. From design, technical development, prototyping, and testing to manufacturing and on-site installation, everything had to be ready for the first flight on July 26, 2024.
From the meeting of mist and light, an electric flame is born—combustion-free, alive, and in perpetual motion.
From the initial sketch to its monumental scale, the development of the cauldron gives form to a poetic and ethereal vision destined for the Parisian sky.
Technology fades behind the symbol: water and electricity reinvent the Olympic flame without altering its evocative power.
