"I don't say they flirted (with the yellow line), they crossed right over," he told his first Paris council meeting on Monday since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave the Games to London.
"Victory was decided on something other than Olympism. We had a choice to make, especially as concerns corruption. I accept responsibility for the choice. We didn't lose on our bid, our respect for the Olympic rules or ethics."
However, city hall opposition leader Claude Goasguen said: "When you accuse somebody you have to prove it. Either London cheated, and you have to come up with a case to remove any doubts. Or London did not cheat and you have to accept defeat."
Paris had been favourites throughout the Olympic campaign but London's hopes were raised after two days of lobbying by Blair in Singapore and an impressive presentation by Coe to the IOC members.
A spokesman for the British Prime Minister said Monday that London's winning bid to host the 2012 Olympics was "fair," rejecting charges from Delanoe that they had broken the rules.
IOC president Jacques Rogge said last Saturday in Singapore that all the cities had conducted their campaigns according to the rules - even though he had once or twice had to remind them to be careful.
