Paralympic opening ceremony: Dylan Alcott 'loved every second of it' as Paris lights up again

French popstars, an eye-catching aerobatics show, the iconic delegations parade and a series of dazzling dances on a warm and vibrant French night were among the highlights of a spectacular Paralympic opening ceremony on Thursday morning (AEST).

Australian Paralympic great Annabelle Williams, a swimming gold medallist, was in awe of the show, which took place across three-and-a-half hours on the Champs-Élysées — perhaps the most famous strip of road in the world — and the Place de la Concorde.

"I reckon that was one of the best opening ceremonies of all time," Williams said on Nine's coverage.

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Christine And The Queens close it out with a smashing performance.

That brings a close to an epic opening ceremony.

"Basically proud to be a disabled person, to be honest, not just as an athlete but as a human being," Aussie legend Dylan Alcott says.

"The reason being is the representation of people with disability throughout every single element of this opening ceremony. There were all kinds of different disabilities.

"People with one leg, one arm, wheelchairs, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and they were just being themselves. They were getting celebrated for their authenticity, their vulnerability.

"I loved every second of it. The best part is, that's just the beginning! Live sport coming your way in Australia later today."

The Paralympic flame has been lit!

It mimics the Olympic lighting - a huge ball that then soars into the Paris sky.

Fantastic.

Here comes the Paalympic flame!

Nearing the end of the ceremony now.

Luan Pommier sings and plays the piano as the Paralympic flag is hoisted.

More amazing scenes as dancers wearing all white perform amid a light show.

Incredible sight with the French flag raised, anthem played and the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Australian Paralympic legend Dylan Alcott is chuffed with this opening ceremony.

Alcott is leading Nine's commentary during these Games.

"(this being) now on Nine, that did not happen years ago. It did not happen. This is going to be the biggest coverage ever back home in Australia," Alcott says.

"It is going to elevate hopefully not just athletes with disabilities in this country but change perception of disability as a whole. That's what Paralympics represents, whether it is education, employment, social, dating, sport, whatever it is and the Paralympics is a beautiful medium for that.

"I reckon the biggest thing is - you can tell by this opening ceremony - you know what it is? We are normal people who do normal things who just want to get the opportunity to be ourselves and not just survive but thrive. Not just in sport, in all kinds of areas of life and that's what the Paralympic Games represents.

"We have seen this in the opening ceremony, how much representation, real representation, have you seen here? It's actual genuine inclusion because this has been built on lived experience.

"Our voices have been heard through every step of this opening ceremony and this is our time to shine. The Olympics have been and this is when we run the world for two weeks and we're so proud to play a very, very small role in that and, yeah, that next generation of kids, they just see this as normal now and that's such a beautiful thing to us."

Incredible scenes as the French flag is raised as the national anthem is played no a flute.

The Eiffel Tower is glowing in the background.