Anne Hidalgo told the France Bleu broadcaster that she hoped a hugely popular hot air balloon in the Tuileries gardens could find a permanent home in Paris, as could the statues of 10 historical Frenchwomen —including writer Simone de Beauvoir and politician Simone Veil— that were part of the Olympics opening ceremony last week.

"We should explore possibilities for these three symbols," Hidalgo said. "These three artistic, symbolic and magnificent objects deserve our full attention."

Hidalgo acknowledged, however, that any decision to keep them on display was not hers alone "so I cannot promise today that they will stay". Deputy mayor Pierre Rabadan meanwhile said that keeping the Olympic rings in place was "technically difficult". Questioned by AFP, he added that "suitable spots" would have to be found for the floating hot air balloon and the statues.

The glowing balloon soaring over the city is a nod to the Montgolfier brothers, the French pioneers of the hot air balloon whose first designs took flight in 1783 —piloted by scientist Pilâtre de Rozier and the Marquis d’Arlandes— in the same location where the Olympic flame stands now. The cauldron forming the base of the balloon was "lit" on Friday by Marie-Jose Perec, France's greatest track athlete, and judo triple gold medallist Teddy Riner. The "ring of fire" incorporates 40 LED spotlights to illuminate the cloud created by 200 high-pressure misting nozzles to create an illusion of flames. 

The Olympic flame will fly more than 60 meters above the Tuileries Gardens from sunset until 2:00 CEST for the duration of the Games. Visitors have since been lining up to see it with some 10,000 people are being admitted daily.