Manche will put its best foot forward for the visit of the Olympic torch on Friday, 31 May, with 674 kilometres of coastline and a rich tapestry of pristine landscapes. The Olympic torch will begin its journey in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, a city on the sea with a harbour, ferry terminal, umbrellas, and coastal landscapes. After that, it will visit Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and blaze past its lighthouse, taking the opportunity to sample the Norman oysters for which the village is famous. The torch will then set course for Saint-Lô and Sainte-Mère-Église, notable for their role during the Normandy landings of World War II (famously, an American paratrooper's parachute caught on the spire of a church in Sainte-Mère-Église; a replica of the soldier hangs from the same steeple as a monument today). From there, the Olympic caravan will head to Granville, a popular spa town, and Villedieu-les-Poêles-Rouffigny, the "City of Copper and Tin", before making its way to Mont-Saint-Michel.

Celebrations at Mont-Saint-Michel

The day will come to an end in Mont-Saint-Michel: a unique and world-renowned site. The building, which welcomes three million visitors every year, will be a fully fledged actor of this unforgettable day. Once there, the torch will wind its way up the Mont, relay after relay, through its steep streets. It will follow the main street and its various shops and businesses and run along the ramparts before paying a visit to the famous Poulard restaurant. The torch will then enter the cloister of the abbey before reaching the celebration site in Place du Barrage, where the cauldron will be lit and the final celebrations of Olympic values will take place.

Celebration venue info

Come and celebrate the passing of the Olympic flame in Mont-Saint-Michel !

The celebration site is free and open to all from 3.30pm to 7.45pm at the following address: LE MONT-SAINT-MICHEL,
50170 MONT-SAINT-MICHEL

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!