Picture by Pierre Meyer AE Medias
Olympic Torch Relay Route
Stage Preview
View from the Cirque de Gavarnie.
The Olympic torch will find a pristine slice of nature in the plains, valleys, and mountains of Hautes-Pyrénées. It will soar to new heights when it is lit on the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, set against a breathtaking panorama of the Pyrenean summits. From there, it will go to Lourdes, where it will travel on a mountain bike on its way to the sanctuaries. The torch will catch a break at Lac de l'Arrêt-Darré, which commands a jaw-dropping view of the Pyrenees. After crossing Bagnères-de-Bigorre and Lannemezan, it will head to the Cirque de Gavarnie, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site that contains extraordinary views in every direction. The stage relay will end in Tarbes, the department's prefecture.
Celebrations in Tarbes
View of the Pyrenees from the Massey Garden in Tarbes.
Tarbes will host the end-of-day celebrations in a warm, festive atmosphere. With their palm-tree-lined streets, terraces, parks, and distinctive southwestern accent, the 44,000 people who call Tarbes home know how to give guests a fantastic welcome. The Olympic Torch Relay will also feature the city’s best aspects, including the Massey Museum with its 15,000 items on exhibit, and the Romanesque Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède Cathedral. The torch will also cross Parc Bel-Air, skirting the prestigious residence of the same name, and approach Parc Paul Chastelain. The evening will wind down in Avenue des Forges, in the L'Arsenal neighbourhood, which has become a recreation spot for locals and will host the cauldron lighting ceremony to wrap up the day and celebrate Olympic fever.
Celebration venue info
Come and celebrate the passing of the Olympic flame in Tarbes!
The celebration site is free and open to all from 3.30pm to 7.45pm at the following address: PARKING DES FORGES, 65000 TARBES
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!
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Team Relay
Pic du Midi, gazing at the stars
Afloat between earth and sky, the Pic du Midi de Bigorre offers an unparalleled view spanning 300 kilometres of Pyrenean peaks during the day, and a cosmic symphony of rare beauty by night.
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