The Olympic torch will reach France when it arrives in Marseille after being lit in Ancient Olympia. The torch began its journey in Greece and traveled by a three-mast ship, the Belem, to Marseille, accompanied by over 1,000 boats. Torch bearers will carry the flame through Marseille, including along the roof of the Stade Vélodrome, Marseille’s soccer stadium. The torch will then travel across France before the opening ceremony of the Games in Paris on July 26.
The torch will visit various locations in France, including the historic site of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, which has a rich history dating back to the Hundred Years’ War. The torch will also travel through France’s overseas territories, riding the waves of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Ocean before returning to France on June 18. The torch will then head to the Alpine mountain pass of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, known for its ski resort and fine cheese production.
After leaving Chamonix, the torch will travel to eastern France and the Alsace city of Strasbourg before reaching Verdun, the site of a significant World War I battle. The torch will arrive in Paris on Bastille Day, France’s national day, and continue through Versailles, Nanterre, and Seine Saint-Denis before returning to Paris for the opening ceremony on July 26. The final location of the cauldron lighting remains a secret.
Over 10,000 people will carry the torch along its route, with local police forces providing security to ensure the safety of the torch and its carrier. The torches used for the Paris Games have a lower environmental impact than those used in previous Games, burning biogas instead of propane and made with recycled steel rather than new aluminum. Around 2,000 torches will be used for the Paris Games, a significant reduction from previous Games.
