The Olympic flame has began its journey to France on board the Belem leaving Greece. The 19th-century three-masted barque is set to reach Marseille on May 8. Along its route in France, the flame will be carried by some 10,000 torchbearers, making stops at such iconic sites as the Lascaux caves, Mont Saint-Michel and the Loire castles.

Paris

The Olympic flame has commenced its journey to France, marking the beginning of the countdown to the Paris Olympics. Transported aboard the Belem, a historic 19th-century three-masted barque, the flame left Greece and is anticipated to dock in Marseille on May 8. The flame's passage through France includes a relay involving roughly 10,000 torchbearers. This event will showcase the flame at several of France's most renowned landmarks, including the Lascaux caves, Mont Saint-Michel, and the Loire castles.

In a detailed journey of cultural significance, the Olympic flame will travel across France aboard the Belem, France's oldest sailing ship. Upon reaching Marseille, the torch will undertake a 69-day journey across the country, illuminating over 400 towns and cities. Key pit stops will include monumental sites like the Millau Viaduct, the beaches of Normandy and Tahiti, the Palace of Versailles, and Chambord Castle. The journey is designed to bring the spirit of the Olympics to various corners of France, including Marseille's old port, which is expected to draw substantial public interest.

As the relay continues, the Olympic torch will navigate through diverse French terrains—from the southern coasts to Corsica, then westward to Brest and across France's six overseas territories via one of the world's fastest sailboats. The itinerary includes an impressive array of French geographical and cultural icons such as Mount Ventoux, the Cannes red carpet, Mont Blanc, and the Bourgogne vineyards, before culminating in Paris for the Games' opening ceremony on July 26. This extensive relay not only highlights France's rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty but also unites the nation in anticipation of the upcoming 2024 Olympics.



Olympic flame leaves Greece for start of Paris Olympics

It's the flame that will light up all corners of France in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympics. Arriving in Marseille on the 8th of May, aboard France's oldest sailing three-mast ship, the Olympic torch will embark on a 69-day journey. We will be in the old port like everyone in Marseille. I think it will attract people and also the Belém ship is a very special sight. For the next three months, 10,000 torchbearers in over 400 towns and cities will take part in a torch relay through key landmarks in the country like Mont Saint-Michel, the Millau Viaduct, from Normandy's beaches to those in Tahiti. The Olympic torch will pass by the Palace of Versailles and the Chambord Castle. It will then climb Mount Ventoux and the red carpet steps in Cannes. It will head from Marseille through the south of France to Corsica, cross western France all the way to Brest, then visit the six overseas territories via one of the fastest sailboats in the world. It will then return to Nice, travel through the east of France to the Mont Blanc and the vineyards of Bourgogne, before arriving in Paris. After almost three months, the Olympic flame will return for the Games opening ceremony on the 26th of July.

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