Triple world champion runner Usain Bolt played to a different kind of audience when he put on a reggae show for several thousand people massed in front of Paris city hall.

Bolt, performing at the opening of a large party honouring Jamaica, his home country, was cheered by a crowd of about 2,000 people who packed the large square in front of the Hotel de Ville to dance the afternoon away.

The enthusiasm that greeted Bolt was more akin to one reserved for a visiting pop star rather than a track athlete -- even one who holds the world record for 100, 200 and 4 x 100-metre running.

For someone who spends most of his life on the tracks, Bolt looked comfortable on the record decks spinning tunes such as Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" with self confidence.

''He was good. He is really close to his audience," said one fan.

Another added: "On the record deck, he was great, great, great, great, great. Big up for Jamaica."

Bolt is in Paris to take part in Friday's Diamond League meeting.