Hundreds of thousands of spectators braved security checks, dense crowds and rain to catch a glimpse of the first Olympics opening ceremony ever held outside a stadium.
A procession of national delegations floated down the River Seine as the Paris games kicked off with performances by stars including Lady Gaga and Aya Nakamura.
There are more cops than people, I dont feel in danger, said Jean Landerretche, a 19-year-old biochemistry student from Paris.
Alexandre Pichot, 48, did not realise when he moved into a houseboat on the Seine that he would have front row seats to the opening ceremony.
Its really great. We have some good food, good French wine, good friends, he said. Its perfect.
Not everyone was so enthralled, however.
