Drôme is a destination for every season. It boasts a rich and diverse historical, cultural and natural heritage, as the Olympic torch will show like never before on Thursday, 20 June. It will start its route against the picture-perfect backdrop of Grignan, where it will run through the famous lavender fields all the way up to the iconic Grignan Castle. Next, it will set a course for Pierrelatte, where it will visit Lac de Pignedoré within the Gustave Jaume Complex, and then the colossal limestone rock.

After that, it will head to Saint-Maurice, a verdant slice of nature amid forests, cliffs and rocks. In Montélimar, the torch will enter the courtyard of the castle, whose foundation stone was laid in the 12^th century. The next segment will take it to Bourg-de-Péage via the Shoe Museum. It will make its final stopover in Hauterives where it will visit the Palais Idéal, a breathtaking work of naïve art, before moving on to Valence.

Celebrations in Valence

Valence, a city on the banks of the Rhône where the Vercours Massif meets the Monts d'Ardèche, will host the rest of the celebrations. Its division into three terraces, its quaint climbs and its network of canals stretching for 40 kilometres combine to create a unique landscape.

The Olympic torch will begin its route at the Port de l'Épervière. From there, it will go to the 19^th-century monumental fountain found at the nerve centre of the city. It will then take a detour through Parc Jouvet, a 7-hectare botanical garden within earshot of the Rhône, and go through the Esplanade du Champ de Mars. The esplanade of the Parc des Expositions will host the end-of-day celebrations.

Celebration venue info

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

The celebration site is free and open to all from 3.30pm to 7.45pm at the following address: PARC DES EXPOSITIONS, 26000 VALENCE

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!