The Olympic flame is set to arrive in France as it reaches the seaport of Marseille on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in its journey.
After being ignited by the sun’s rays in ancient Olympia on April 16, the torch embarked on a journey across Greece before setting sail from Athens aboard the historic three-masted ship named Belem, bound for Marseille.
The Belem, which was first utilized in 1896, the same year the modern Olympic Games were revived, will be accompanied by over 1,000 boats parading in the bay of Marseille. It will dock at the Old Port on a pontoon resembling an athletics track.
The following day, torchbearers will carry the flame through Marseille, culminating in a final leg atop the renowned Stade Vélodrome, home to passionate supporters of Marseille football.
Following its departure from Marseille, the flame will embark on an extensive relay journey before concluding its odyssey in Paris on July 27. Here is an overview of the locations the flame will visit before arriving in Paris:
Mont Saint Michel:
On May 31, the flame will reach the iconic site of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, renowned for its ancient fortress-like appearance and rich history dating back to the Hundred Years’ War.
Across the Oceans:
In a unique twist, the flame will traverse the French overseas territories known as the Relais des Océans, journeying through French Guiana, New Caledonia, Reunion Island, Tahiti, Guadeloupe, and Martinique before returning to France on June 18 in Nice.
From Sea Breeze to Cheese:
Five days after arriving on the French coast, the flame will travel to the Alpine pass of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, renowned for its ski resorts and delectable cheeses, before continuing its journey through the Doubs region and the city of Strasbourg.
Arrival of July 14:
The torch will illuminate the streets of Paris on July 14, coinciding with Bastille Day, the French national holiday. It will then journey through Versailles and the suburbs of Nanterre and Seine Saint-Denis before returning to Paris on July 26, the day before the grand opening ceremony.
Flame Protection:
Throughout its journey, the flame will be carried by 10,000 torchbearers, with local police ensuring stringent security measures to safeguard the torch and its bearers. The exact location of the cauldron lighting ceremony on July 26 remains a closely guarded secret.