Paris Paralympic Games 2024: The opening ceremony in pictures

Image source, FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images

Image caption, An incredible opening ceremony kicked off the 2024 Paralympic Games in style

Wednesday night marked the start of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

An incredible opening ceremony kicked off the competition in style with athletes parading along the iconic Avenue des Champs-脡lys茅es.

Like the Olympic Games opening ceremony, the Paralympic Games opening ceremony took place outside of a stadium.

After athletes paraded the Champs-脡lys茅es, the main ceremony took place in the heart of the city at Place de la Concorde.

Take a look at some of the incredible scenes below.

Read more about the games:

Image source, Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Image caption, Athletes from a record around the world kicked off the celebrations with a parade down Paris's iconic Champs-脡lys茅es

Image source, David Ramos/Getty Images

Image caption, ParalympicsGB were among the parading athletes making their way to the Place de la Concorde

Image source, Tom Weller/VOIGT/GettyImages

Image caption, After the parade, smoke was released in the colours of the French flag to mark the start of the ceremony at the Place de la Concorde

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, The Patrouille de France flew by, realising smoke in the colours of the French flag

Image source, Tom Weller/VOIGT/GettyImages

Image caption, There were many performances for the audience to enjoy, including this one from Christine and the Queens

Image source, Gonzalo Fuentes - Pool/Getty Images

Image caption, There was even a special performance from the Paralympic mascot the Phryge - the mascots wore running blades as part of their costume

Image source, David Ramos/Getty Images

Image caption, French Paralympians Charles Antoine Kouakou, Fabien Lamirault, Elodie Lorandi, Nantenin Keita and Alexis Hanquinquant lit the Paralympic cauldron, the cauldron will rise into the sky above Paris each evening during the Games

Image source, Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Image caption, The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games opening ceremony concluded with a dazzling firework display
Check out some of the athletes taking part: