French judoka Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-José Pérec, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, light Olympic flame
Celine Dion then performs partway up the Eiffel Tower
Lady Gaga, Zinedine Zidane and the Minions among those involved in breathtaking performance
Diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover Great Britain's flagbearers
Watch: Rapper Snoop Dogg carries Olympic torch through Paris
James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Trocadéro
Image source, PA MediaSympathetic chuckles here for a forlorn water-pusher who's trying to sweep big puddles off the raised area.
That's for the benefit of the final torchbearer, who's due to come bounding up later to light the Olympic cauldron.
Love is in the air for this pair of Spanish athletes.
Image source, Getty Images#bbcolympics, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
David Fetteroll: Strangely addictive. You just wonder what might happen next.
Tomorrow marks the first official day of Paris 2024.
There's hockey, handball, swimming, volleyball, equestrian, judo, fencing and much more.
For any athletes involved you have to be thinking it's getting a close to bed time?
You've also got to feel for their stomach on what looks to be a choppy River Seine.
Jess Anderson
BBC Sport in Paris
Image source, BBC SportIt’s all got very moody in Paris with the dark and the rain.
Many are leaving the party as the rain continues to pour. But the remaining bunch are still in the party mood.
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Please let it be King Eric Cantona to light the cauldron.
Barra
James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Trocadéro
It's worth a reminder of how much emphasis has been placed on the safety of the national teams, plus dignitaries and spectators as the athletes start to gather in view of the Eiffel Tower.
Vast swathes of the city alongside the Seine were locked down for days ahead of the ceremony.
As for this spot - the Trocadéro - we media-types went through a detailed accreditation process and airport-style screening, even before we were bussed to the venue's outer gate.
From my position, I can just about spot police stationed on the roofs. We can all recall what happened at Donald Trump's rally less than two weeks ago.
Team GB have already been on their boat with Tom Daley and Helen Glover the flagbearers.
Act eight - festivity - is taking us ever-closer to the home stretch of this unique and quirky parade down the River Seine.
I was a little sceptical about how this might play out. There have been moments where it feels like we're just watching boats - there's only so much of that you can take over four hours - but then we are brought back up with some great music and fine artistry.
A good blend so far and the best is likely still to come...
Eleanor Oldroyd
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Dutch boat is the coolest boat. It's like a bullet-shaped boat and it's kind of got a dancefloor inside as well.
They are having the time of their lives.
Mark Chapman
Presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live
The overall feel is - it's just fun and modern - what this city is I think.
I adore this city.
Harry Poole
BBC Sport in Paris
Chapeau to the crowds determined to stick this out.
Still the boats are being enthusiastically cheered along the river, despite everyone being utterly soaked.
The choice of pop stars has certainly gone down well, with each new A-list performer raising spirits.
The atmosphere this evening bodes really well for the Games.
It's set up to be a cracker, but fingers crossed for ever so slightly drier conditions in the days ahead…
James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Trocadéro
The first athletes are gathering here in the viewing area of the Trocadéro, even as some of the spectators abandon their seats in the weather.
A particularly cheerful contingent of Austrians assembles in front of me, all snapping selfies.
Given that the ceremony proceeds alphabetically, it could be a while before we see the likes of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
OK, who had boxing expert Steve Bunce commenting on how Lady Gaga needed better lighting on their bingo card?
Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 Live
It's just getting dark so they're being lit which really works.
That's maybe what has been missing in the last two hours.
There are a few lights on people.
Gaga deserved some beams didn't she, she needed some neon.
It wouldn't be Paris without a fashion show, right?
One of the bridges - it might be Debilly footbridge - has been turned into a catwalk.
The models are strutting their stuff with a DJ keeping the party spirit high.
Eleanor Oldroyd
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live
Everyone looks extremely cheerful, bearing in mind that they have been floating down the River Seine in the pouring rain with a few fireworks and coloured water spouts going off around them.
Fair play to the crowds on watching from the seats on the River Seine.
They are getting soaked but are giving every boat huge support.
Team Niger decide against waving back and instead it's a very solid salute.
Jess Anderson
BBC Sport in Paris
Some of these boats are just a floating party.
I saw British tennis number one Katie Boulter dancing away on the GB boat and it’s great to see some of those on shared boats having an absolute ball too.
Image source, Getty ImagesOne of the best dressed boats has just gone by with athletes from Mongolia and Mozambique both sporting some very eye-catching outfits.
