At a ceremony in Paris this morning, bid chiefs officially confirmed the city would be a candidate - and the city is immediately installed as favourite to win the race.
France has the backbone of facilities and infrastructure in place courtesy of it hosting soccer's 1998 FIFA World Cup finals.
The final venue for that event, the Stade de France, is touted as being the centrepiece for the Games.
Said Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe: "It is an honour for us to request the 2012 Olympics to be held in Paris.
"It comes from a desire we all share in Paris and the rest of France to have the Games."
It is not the first time in recent memory Paris has bid for the Games - coming second to Barcelona in 1992 and losing out to host the 2008 Games to Beijing.
Other cities confirming they will bid include New York, Madrid, Moscow, London and Leipzig, with further bids expected.
The IOC will make a final decision on July 15.
