The honored tradition of the Olympic Torch Relay starts its epic journey in Olympia (Greece) and stands as a symbol of unity, endurance, and the unbreakable bond between sports and humanity. In 2024, this momentous undertaking takes center stage once more, igniting the enthusiasm of millions as the Olympic Flame traverses France’s enchanting landscapes, picturesque villages, and vibrant cities.
68 days. 10,000 torch bearers. 64 cities. One flame.
Embracing the spirit of the past while celebrating the limitless possibilities of the future, the Olympic Torch Relay heralds the arrival of the Paris 2024 Olympics in the most exhilarating and awe-inspiring manner. Go on reading about the Paris Olympic Torch ceremony, the Olympic Torch route, and the main dates.
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Paris Olympic Torch Lightning
The Paris Olympics Torch Ceremony will take place on the hallowed grounds of Olympia (Greece) on 16 April 2024. Just like the Olympic Torch was lit at the inaugural Games, the Paris Olympic Torch Lightning will be done according to a precise ritual with the rays of the sun.
Paris Olympic Torch – Route to Athens
After nine days of relay in Greece, the handover ceremony will occur on 26 April 2024 in the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. There, it will be entrusted to an illustrious Belem vessel, set to chart a course across the Mediterranean Sea, uniting distant shores and hearts with the timeless spirit of the Olympic Games.
This 3-massed ship is an original vessel that dates back to the late 1800s and keeps with the spirit of sustainability that is a huge part of the Olympic mantra for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Olympic Torch Relay 2024 – Arrival in France
The Olympic Flame will arrive in Marseille on 8 May 2024 at the Marseille-Fos Port, ready to start its mammoth undertaking across the country and its overseas territories.
Marseille is the oldest city in France and was a former Greek colony, tying this marvelous city to the original home of the Olympic Games. Marseille will also host football and sailing events at Marseille Stadium and Marseille Marina, further solidifying its importance as an Olympic City for this monumental event.
Not much is known yet about the ceremony once the Olympic Torch reaches mainland France, but you can be sure that no expense will be spared. Expect all the pomp and circumstance that France can muster up, marking the start of this two-month Paris Olympic Torch Relay 2024.
Officially there will be 64 stage cities hosting events for the Torch’s arrival, but on its journey, it will cross through more than 400 cities, uniting the country (and, by extension, the world) as a symbol of endurance and harmony.
Paris Olympic Torch Relay – Route in France Mainland
The first leg of this Olympic Torch route 2024 across France’s mainland starts on 9 May 2024, and it takes the Torch up along the western border until it reaches Brest in northwest France on 7 June 2024. Along the way, it will visit iconic places in France like Carcassonne (16 May), Toulouse (17 May), Mont-Saint Michel (31 May), and Vannes (6 June), as well as the 2024 Olympic Cities of Bordeaux (23 May) and Châteauroux (27 May).
The locations have all been specifically chosen to highlight French history, the people, the landmarks, and the natural beauty. Think summits, churches, bridges, and coastlines. Each venue on this 2024 Olympic Torch Relay route was hand-picked to (excuse the pun) illuminate the many faces of France.
2024 Olympic Torch Relay – France Overseas
Embarking on an epic voyage known as the “Oceans Relay,” the sacred Olympic Flame will cross vast expanses of the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Pacific, traversing the world’s waters with unwavering grace and purpose. Its journey of unity and spirit will extend to France’s Overseas Territories once it departs from Brest on 7 June 2024.
It will first reach land in French Guyana (9 June) and then set off to La Réunion (12 June) in the Indian Ocean. It then heads to the South Pacific to reach Tahiti in French Polynesia (13 June) and back north to Guadeloupe (15 June) and Martinique (17 June).
Olympic Torch Route 2024 – Back to France Mainland
The third leg of the Olympic Torch Relay 2024 starts in Nice on 18 June 2024 as the Torch travels back across the Atlantic. This route will move up along the eastern border of France and circle the northern and central cities.
From Nice, a 2024 Olympic City, the torch heads to some of the most beautiful cities in France, including Avignon (19 June), Chamonix (23 June), and Strasbourg (26 June). It closes in on another Olympic City – Lille (2 July) – by venturing through Verdun (29 June) and Reims (30 June). Some of the last cities to enjoy the spectacle before it reaches Paris are Chartres (7 July) and Dijon (12 July).
Paris Olympic Torch Relay – Paris and Ile-de-France
The Paris Olympic Torch will arrive in Paris on 14 July 2024, which coincides with France’s National Day. The celebration is important for the French in any given year, but 2024 is set to be even more special. From there, it will travel around the outskirts of Paris (Saint-Quentin, Meaux, Versailles, La Corneuve…), visiting the cities and suburbs with Olympic Venues for another ten days until it reaches back to the French capital for the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony along the Seine River.
This is the third time Paris will be hosting the Summer Olympic Games, and they will undoubtedly pull out all the stops to make this one of the greatest Olympic Games to date. Paris and the other 2024 Olympic Cities in France are putting a significant emphasis on sustainability, but they are also going above and beyond to create an inclusive environment with everything from increased mobility access to gender-neutral areas in the athlete’s village. The coverage of the events will also be on an unprecedented level, and people from every corner of the globe will have access to the event.
