The Olympic torch's visit to Aude will see it scale mountains and taste the sea air of the Mediterranean as it travels through the lands of the department. The first item on the itinerary is a hike up to the remains of Peyrepertuse Castle, where it will enjoy a panoramic view of the valley and even take a ride down a zip wire! It will then set a course for Narbonne, the subprefecture of the department.

Among other landmarks, the torch will blaze past the Cathedral of Saints Justus and Pastor, which looms large over the city, before moving on to the Palais-Musée des Archevêques. The torch will visit Saint Mary's Abbey in Lagrasse, and the Notre-Dame-de-Marceille Basilica in Limoux.

The torch will also go to Castelnaudary before stopping at Gruissan, a commune on the sandy shores of the Mediterranean. It will then be time to go to Carcassonne - the terminus of this stage.

Celebrations in Carcassonne

The festivities will draw to a close in Carcassonne, which welcomes over two million tourists every year. Among the many treasures of the city are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Canal du Midi and the medieval Cité de Carcassonne, both of which will host the torch as it explores the hilltop town. On its way there, the torch will skirt the Pont-Vieux before plunging into the lively, colourful streets of Bastide Saint-Louis, which serve as the beating heart of Carcassonne.

The end-of-day celebrations and entertainment will take place a bit further down the road in the area of the Porte Narbonnaise, an imposing pair of towers built around 1280. The crowds will flock to the venue, right in front of the main entrance to the Cité, to keep the party going and celebrate the Olympic values.

Celebration venue info

Come and celebrate the passing of the Olympic flame in Carcassonne!

The celebration site is free and open to all from 3.30pm to 7.45pm at the following address: PORTE DE NARBONNE - CITÉ DE CARCASSONNE, 11000 CARCASSONNE

A festive programme open to all awaits you, including :

• events organised by the local authorities: sport, music, shows, etc.
• stands run by the Relay of the Flame sponsors:
  • Coca-Cola will be providing a musical and festive atmosphere
  • Banque Populaire will be giving the public the chance to try out water sports
  • Caisse d'Epargne will be dedicating its stand to basketball and handball
• a show organised by the sponsors on the sports slab from 6 p.m.
• 7.20pm: the arrival of the last torchbearer and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, a moment not to be missed!

Note: a giant screen, a host and a DJ will also be on hand to get the public in the mood for the Torch Relay!