Gojira playing Ah! Ça Ira at The Conciergerie Opening Ceremony Paris 2024

I really enjoyed this section of the opening ceremonies. They not only had dramatics that transported the viewer to a specific moment in France’s history, they also used a song from a period in France’s history. This gave a full historic immersion of the audience to this specific moment in time. Great job Gojira! Historical description: The building used for the performance is called “The Conciergerie“ when translated to English means “The Lodge.“ It is a former courthouse and prison in Paris, France located on the west of the Île de la Cité, below the Palais de Justice. Marie Antoinette was held in The Conciergerie until her execution on October 16, 1793 at the age of 37 years. Many suggest some of Marie’s last words were “Let them eat cake.“ This quote however is debated, to this day, on whether she actual said those words or not. Marie Antoinette: Marie was born on 2 November 1755 and died 16 October 1793. She was the last queen consort of France prior to the French Revolution as the wife of King Louis XVI. She was born Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria. She married Louis, Dauphin of France, in May 1770 at age 14. She then became the Dauphine of France. On 10 May 1774, her husband ascended the throne and she became queen. Both Marie and Louis were executed by beheading using the “Guillotine“ in france. Louis XVI was executed on January 21, 1793. The song Ah! Ça Ira: The wording for this song has changed many times over the years. It was first a work song then evolved into a revolutionary song. Disclaimer: This video and audio is posted under fair use of copyright for educational, archival, limited and transformative purposes. ie: Historical reference, comment for discussion, and artistic expression.