The Assemblée Nationale in Paris, seat of the French Parliament, stands illuminated at blue hour. Built in the 18th century as the Palais Bourbon, its neoclassical façade was added under Napoleon I. For Paris 2024, the steps were temporarily transformed with vibrant rainbow colors as part of the Olympic cultural program, symbolizing diversity and unity against the backdrop of France’s democratic institutions.

The Vasque de Paris, designed for the 2024 Olympic Games, now serves as a landmark in the Tuileries Gardens. Shaped like a monumental balloon, it was first lit during the opening ceremony as the Olympic cauldron. Here it glows at sunset beside the Ferris wheel and the historic Louvre, blending sport, tradition, and Parisian spectacle.

How does Rick Steves do Europe? We went behind the scenes.