[Video transcript]

Just ahead of the Olympic Games' Opening Ceremony in Paris, there is enormous anticipation and excitement in the French capital. Many are looking forward to an atmosphere of celebration.

Mireille Makosso, lives in Paris suburb, works in a supermarket: "Yes, Paris is more festive, more hectic, lots of tourists and voila!"

But there ís also some frustration as locals and tourists alike have to deal with the inconvenience of massive security measures. 

Nasrin Nuur, tourist from the Netherlands: "It's been really hard because everywhere has been barricaded, closed off, blocked off, and there's everywhere policemen, so it's hard to get around here." 

Authorities say the strict security measures for the Games are an absolute necessity to ensure safety both for spectators and athletes. And many locals agree. 

Aurel Vasseaux, café worker: "There is so much terrorism here in France, France is the country of the terror."

Along with tens of thousands of soldiers and police patrolling the streets, the French air force is also playing a major part — by securing the skies during the Games. Fighter jets, surveillance drones, helicopters that can carry sharpshooters, and equipment to disable drones will all be deployed. 

Brigadier General Arnaud Bourguignon, in charge of air protection during Olympic Games: "We have to protect not only against the possibility of a commercial aircraft being used as a weapon but also a tourist plane that could also be used in the same way, or unmanned aerial vehicles. We see that today there are 3 million UAVs in France and we know that they can be real threats at events like these."

For Friday's Opening Ceremony, a no-fly zone extending some 150 kilometers will be in place around the French capital. And cameras twinned with artificial intelligence software will flag potential security risks, such as abandoned packages. 

Securing these Olympic Games is a massive undertaking and comes at an enormous cost — but France has spent the last several years preparing for this moment. 

Many visitors say they appreciate all the efforts to keep them safe.

Michael Finn, retiree from Chicago: "So coming here to Paris and seeing the gendarmes, the national police, the presence, it's impressive. It's impressive. (There's) something you always have to be concerned about. But knowing how prepared they are and stuff ... no, I feel safer in Paris walking around enjoying the city than I do in my hometown of Chicago."

The hope is that all the security efforts will pay off and result in safe and successful Summer Games for everyone.