The torch will spend Monday, 22 July in Essonne. This relatively new department, created just over 50 years ago, stands out for its research hubs, innovative businesses, universities and grandes écoles. 75,000 people study here. The Olympic torch will begin its journey in Étampes, an old royal city recognised as a "City of Art and History" with 26 listed monuments. The next stop is Chamarande and its departmental estate—the largest public garden in Essonne.

The Olympic flame will take in a deep breath of fresh air before moving on to Palaiseau and then Massy. The torch will then go to Marcoussis, a household name among rugby fans. It is home to the National Rugby Centre: the headquarters of the French national teams. The journey will continue between Draveil and Montgeron with a stop in Vigneux-sur-Seine, followed by Dourdan before it comes to a close in Évry-Courcouronnes, capturing all the diversity and dynamism of Essonne.

Celebrations in Évry-Courcouronnes

This day of festivities, which will display the Essonne department to the world, will come to an end in Évry-Courcouronnes. The city has sixteen buildings with the "Outstanding Contemporary Architecture" label, awarded to buildings less than 100 years old that are not listed as historical monuments. The Olympic torch will highlight a selection of these buildings. Its tour will begin on the Place des Droits de l'Homme et du Citoyen, which is part of this heritage.

The torch will also showcase multiple religious buildings. One of them is the Cathedral of the Resurrection, the only cathedral built in metropolitan France in the 20^th century. It will also blaze past the Grand Mosque of Évry-Courcouronnes, opened a few months before the cathedral back in the early 1990s. The evening will continue at the Robert Bobin de Bondoufle Stadium, the department's top sports venue. It is the sixth-largest stadium in Île-de-France and will host the end-of-day ceremony and the lighting of the cauldron!

Celebration venue info

Come and celebrate the passing of the Olympic flame in Évry-Courcouronnes!

The celebration site is free and open to all from 3.30pm to 7.45pm at the following address: STADE ROBERT BOBIN, 91070 BONDOUFLE

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!