The Torch keeps The Flame of celebration burning in nord!

The Nord department rolled out the red carpet for the Olympic torch on a day packed with smiles and emotions. Locals turned out in force on the roadsides of Nord, where nature, heritage, know-how and culture combine to give this corner of the world a distinct allure.

Coming 23 days before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, this stage of the Torch Relay was a dress rehearsal for the department, which will host the handball finals, for which tickets are still available. The French Handball Federation organised a team relay in the heart of Lille in a nod to this major event. The international footballer Raphaël Varane, the Miss France pageant winner Ève Gilles, the cellist Renaud Capuçon and the actor Dany Boon, who lit the cauldron in Lille, were among the 181 torchbearers of the day.

At the confluence of heritage, nature and sport

The Olympic torch resumed its journey following a new rest day. As has been the case since its departure from Marseille, thousands of spectators gathered to watch it blaze past. From the dunes of Flanders to the farmlands of the Avesnois, the department boasts a mosaic of landscapes —from beaches to historic and cultural sites— that never fail to dazzle visitors. Its warm and welcoming inhabitants add a heartwarming touch to the experience.

Nord is also sport central. Its vibrant sporting scene shines through its top-tier clubs and amateur clubs, which include a great deal of people who engage in adapted sports. The department was awarded a well-deserved "Terre de Jeux" label in recognition of the territorial coverage of its sports infrastructure.

From the roads of Paris–Roubaix to downtown Lille

Aspiring to highlight the distinct features of the department, the Olympic torch set out from Avesnes-sur-Helpe, famous for its striking fortifications. It also zipped past the colossal Dunkirk belfry, towering at 58 metres, and visited Wallers-Arenberg, a former mining site famous for the Trouée d'Arenberg, a cobbled sector where the riders of Paris–Roubaix cross swords.

The "Hell of the North" took centre stage in Roubaix. After going through Cambrai and Tourcoing, the Olympic torch visited the André Pétrieux Velodrome. It then called at Douai, including the Cercle d'escrime and Pont de la Massue. Next, it was time to head to Lille, the tenth most populous city in France, known for its cultural dynamism and its famous flea market. As it weaved its way through Lille, the Olympic torch wandered through the Europe neighbourhood, past the European Metropolis headquarters and through popular spots such as Place du Théâtre, the Grand'Place and Rue Nationale. The end-of-day celebrations wrapped up the stage on the banks of the Deûle on the Esplanade du Champs de Mars, where the celebration venue had been set up.

A handball team relay and over 180 torchbearers

The team relay, organised by the French Handball Federation, was held in front of Lille-Flandres Station. Coming less than a month before the opening ceremony, it was a nod to the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, in which Lille is slated to host the Olympic handball finals. This major event for the Lille European Metropolis has still got tickets on sale from the official Paris 2024 ticketing site, for both handball enthusiasts and those who want to get their first taste of the sport. The French Handball Federation celebrated all forms of the sport during this team relay, including beach handball and wheelchair handball. The relay was captained by Benjamin Brun, a French wheelchair handball international. He was joined by 23 enthusiasts: the referees Lidwine Caloin and Philippe Julien, the local coach Yoan Bustraen, the amateur player Marine Deputte and Jérôme Nouard, a member of the French deaf handball team.

A total of 181 torchbearers took turns throughout the day, including many children from the region. Among them were numerous athletes such as the Lille-born footballer and 2018 world champion Raphaël Varane, the volleyball player Barthélémy Chinenyeze and the former handball player Bastien Lamon Also present were Carima Louami, who competed in the Beijing 2008 Olympics (sprint), the para powerlifter Souhad Ghazouani, with five Paralympic Games to her name, and the captain of Lille Métropole Rugby, Laura Di Muzio.

Volunteers and entrepreneurs among the ranks of the torchbearers

Joining them were the renowned French cellist Gautier Capuçon and Gabrielle Williams, a member of the French national basketball team. The fan favourites were the last two torchbearers of the day: the Miss France 2024 pageant winner**, Ève Gilles** from Dunkirk, and Dany Boon. The beloved actor, who has deep roots in his home region, completed the final segment of the day in Lille before igniting the cauldron at the celebration venue. A golf enthusiast, he will also kick off the final day of the Olympic golf tournament on 4 August.

As usual, the relay included unsung heroes, each with a story and commitment echoing Olympic values. Among them were Charlotte Logiou, a sports doctor and sports enthusiast; Florian Nivet, a BMX racer since age 14; and Ahmed I Dihia, a coach and treasurer for his futsal club.

Local entrepreneurs joined the celebration, showcasing the strength of the local economic fabric. The CEO of Decathlon, Barbara Marin Coppola, the CEO of Flunch and Foodiz, Baptiste Bayart, and the chairman of Business Club, Olivier Talbert, were among the key figures present. Coca-Cola, one of the Torch Relay Partners, was also represented by José Antonio Echeverria Villar and Éric Desbonnets, members of the Coca-Cola Europacific Partners management team.

Focus on sustainable development

The day was also a platform for the Torch Relay and the commitments of its partners —Coca-Cola, Caisse d'Epargne and Banque Populaire— to sustainability and protecting the environment. It served as a reminder that Ecologic, a state-approved non-profit eco-organisation, is working hard to raise awareness among the crowds lining the route of the Torch Relay. Marking this shared commitment to a more sustainable future, a "Terre de Jeux" agreement was signed on Tuesday between representatives of Ecologic and Paris 2024.

As part of this initiative, an artwork by Marion Lescaut, an artist from Lille, was installed at the celebration venue in her home city. Created from sports items sourced from a local recycling centre, the piece depicted various sports with the Olympic torch at its heart. This blend of sport and culture delivered a message of virtue to the new generations.

The Olympic torch will hit the road again tomorrow. On Wednesday, its journey will take it to Pas-de-Calais, where it will spend another kaleidoscopic day celebrating a region known for its mining heritage, history, cultural attractions and deep-seated passion for sports.