French security forces have initiated a comprehensive lockdown of central Paris in preparation for the highly intricate Olympics opening ceremony scheduled to take place next week on the river Seine. The opening parade, spanning six kilometers along the river, has prompted the closure of riverside central districts to most vehicles from 5:00 am (0300 GMT) on Thursday. Access to the highest-security "grey zone" along both banks of the Seine, including residents and tourists with hotel reservations in the area, will require a security pass in the form of a QR code.

The City of Light is undergoing a significant transformation in anticipation of the July 26-August 11 Olympics, with an estimated 10 million spectators expected to attend. Temporary sports stadiums have been erected at iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, and the Place de la Concorde, while new Olympic VIP lanes have been introduced, adding to the traffic congestion.

The security measures for the opening ceremony have been a cause for concern, with around 45,000 officers, along with thousands of soldiers and private security agents, set to be on duty for the parade. The installation of tens of thousands of metal security barriers along the opening ceremony route has sparked discontent among some residents, who feel confined by the barriers.

In addition to the security preparations, the first athletes are set to arrive to take up residence in the newly constructed Olympic Village in a northern suburb of the capital. The village, designed to accommodate 14,500 people, including 9,000 athletes, has been built as a showcase of innovative construction techniques utilizing low-carbon concrete, water recycling, and reclaimed building materials.