Zeus, a masterpiece by artisans: the exhibition on the Olympic horse at the Museum of Arts and Crafts

Zeus, the striking metallic horse that surged across the Seine during the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony, now takes center stage in an exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Crafts. The display runs from December 17, 2025, to March 29, 2026.

He shined at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games: he and his rider paddled along the Seine during the opening ceremony. From December 17, 2025, to March 29, 2026, he will be showcased at the Museum of Arts and Crafts. Zeus, the metallic horse that symbolized the Olympics, makes a return to Paris for a unique exhibition displayed in the chancel of Saint-Martin-des-Champs church within the museum.

After touring France, Zeus returns to the heart of the capital to reveal its secrets. The exhibition at the Musée des Arts et Métiers, entitledZeus, chef-d’œuvre d’artisans(Zeus, a masterpiece of craftsmanship), explores the behind-the-scenes creation of such a mechanical sculpture.

This exhibition focuses on the techniques, expertise, and manufacturing process behind this special horse. From the initial idea to the final product, the exhibition traces all the stages of creation, with a particular focus on the artisans who brought this character to life. Boilermakers, gilders, designers, digital sculptors, engineers: many professionals worked behind the scenes to create this moving sculpture.

The Musée des Arts et Métiers explains how a dreamlike creature can come to life thanks to the work of skilled craftsmen. Art and science come together in this metal horse, which has impressed the whole world.

The exhibition is quite brief. It features a few photographs documenting the design process of the various pieces, the tools used, and images that may have inspired the craftsmen. Visitors can enjoy revisiting the rider’s costume from Zeus and a life-sized “skeleton” of the mechanical horse. However, the display doesn’t go deeply into the artisans’ work. We would have appreciated more insight into the creative process, the history of this unusual horse, and the specific challenges involved in creating it for the Olympic ceremony. While the exhibition showcases some outstanding pieces and photographs set against a grand backdrop, it could have been much more comprehensive.

From December 2025 to January 2027, you can enjoy a free view of Zeus on the museum’s forecourt. Take this opportunity to get a close-up look at this iconic figure from the Paris 2024 Olympics!

ZEUS, the iconic metal horse from the Olympics, on display for free at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Paris
Zeus, the mechanical horse from the Olympic Games that captured everyone's hearts, has now arrived at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris. The towering steel colossus is open to the public free of charge from December 17, 2025, to January 10, 2027. [Read more]