Zeus the Olympic horse at Le Musée des Arts et Métiers. Don’t miss it!

Relive the magic of Paris 2024: Sequana’s thrilling ride on the Zeus mechanical horse, now galloping again in 2026!

What beautiful memories I have from the Summer Olympic Games of 2024! In a city where my heart lies, sportsmanship and togetherness were at the forefront. And there was one moment from the opening ceremony that particularly stayed with me: the magical ride of the goddess Sequana, and the impressive mechanical silver horse, the Zeus Olympic horse in Paris – or “Zeus cheval métallique” in French.

And you have the chance to see the Zeus Olympic horse in Paris too! Read on to find out why you shouldn’t miss this cheval mécanique masterpiece and where and how you can view Zeus’s horse at MUAM, le Musée des Arts et Métiers today.

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The goddess Sequana and the magic of the Seine

In the Olympic Games ceremony, this powerful figure was brought back to life. The mechanical horse exceeded my expectations.

The mechanical horse Zeus: technology and art in one

How Zeus mechanical horse was built

I still get chills thinking about that opening ceremony when the Zeus mechanical horse first appeared , a 14-meter silver beast secretly built by two French companies for Paris 2024. Powered by an electric propeller, it galloped across the Seine at 27 km/h, inspired by Eadweard Muybridge‘s chronophotography to capture real animal motion. Watching it unfold wasn’t just tech; it felt like French ingenuity turning raw mechanics into something poetic. Yes ! This is Paris to me.

Engineering secrets of Zeus horse Paris: Atelier Blamgen

Atelier Blamgen nailed the realism with control cables on the reins for steering and speed, propelled by a floating electric motor that let the Zeus cheval métallique glide precisely over water.
Bow lights then hit rider Floriane Issert perfectly, their glow bouncing off the silver at twilight , total drama. I was glued, especially in the pouring rain with Paris lit up behind; pure fusion of tech smarts and artistry.

Zeus at Hôtel de Ville

I was lucky enough to get a ticket to view the horse up close at Hôtel de Ville. It was an experience I will not soon forget. In the courtyard of Hôtel de Ville, the impressive silver horse stood shimmering in the soft light of the evening sun. The courtyard itself, with its historic charm and serene atmosphere, was a perfect match for this masterpiece. The Romanesque yellow-white stones of Hôtel de Ville made the scene even more stunning.

The unique opportunity to admire the mechanical horse

The water beneath the horse was like a silver mirror, reflecting the horse. By using transparent silver thin cables, the movements of the horse seemed lifelike. The tail and mane of the horse seemed to flutter in the wind, although the courtyard was completely still. The horse had a stylized head, elegant and impressive. I was just proud of what Paris had created.

I was lucky to arrive as daylight slowly faded and darkness set in. This gave me the chance to see the horse both in the daylight and in the evening with its magical lighting. I admit, I spent at least two hours there. Only to admire this piece of art. The atmosphere invited beautiful conversations with other visitors. As the darkness spread further, the entire courtyard transformed into an enchanting spectacle of light and shadow. It was an experience I will never forget and one that will remain in my memories of the Olympic Games.

Zeus at the Palace of Versailles

My second visit to Zeus was with the Trésors de Paris community at Château de Versailles. Zeus stood on the inner courtyard there. A completely different vibe, and now in the company of friends. We visited chateau de Versailles, went to the gardens; it brought back those incredible moments I’d shared with buddies during the Games.

Discover Chateau de Versailles beyond the palace

Zeus at MUAM, le Musée des Arts et Métiers

This time, the journey takes us to MUAM, the Musée des Arts et Métiers. Because this iconic horse has been on quite the tour: after the Games’ opening ceremony, it traveled to Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel, and Marseille (Mucem), and even made stops in Rouen and Nantes.Now Zeus is back right in the heart of Paris, on the forecourt until early 2027.

Join us to see the horse and the exhibition. For free!

And this one’s gonna be special, together with you guys!
Because you’ll see it come alive: every few minutes, Zeus kicks off its mechanical gallop for about a minute.

And there’s more. Inside the museum, the “Zeus, chef-d’œuvre d’artisans” exhibit unveils the magic behind it, from sketches and hinges to pure artisan craftsmanship.
The exhibit runs until March 29, 2026

Practical info Musée des Arts et Métiers