Picture by © Camille Moirenc
Olympic Torch Relay Route
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The arrival of the Olympic flame in France on 8 May signals the start of a great story, one that is sure to be full of enthusiasm and smiles that will set the tone for the weeks ahead until the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games on 26 July. After sailing from Greece and crossing the Mediterranean on board the Belem, the Olympic torch will arrive in Marseille, the second-largest city in the country. It will start its tour of the Phocaean City from the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, known as the "Good Mother", and head downtown.
It will then go from Parc Borély to the Palais du Pharo and on to the Cité Internationale de Marseille. The Olympic torch will also visit the Parc de Font Obscure, which commands a sweeping view of the Port of Marseille. The next leg will take it from Le Dôme to the Palais Longchamp museum and water tower. It will then zip past the Parc de la Moline before tackling the final segment of the day between Périer, a peaceful neighbourhood in the heart of the city, and Marseille Stadium.
Celebrations at Marseille Stadium
Aerial view of Marseille Stadium
The Olympic torch will finish its visit to this ancient city by visiting one of its most iconic landmarks: Marseille Stadium. The venue—more commonly known as Stade Vélodrome—was built in 1935 and inaugurated in 1937 by Léo Lagrange, the Under-secretary of State for Sport, who was pushing hard to promote sport in France. The stadium has since been expanded, upgraded and polished over the decades and now seats over 67,300. Home to Olympique de Marseille of Ligue 1 (the top men's professional football league in France), the stadium has been the setting of the most memorable feats in the history of this iconic club.
It has also hosted major football competitions, including matches of the 1938 and 1998 World Cups and the 1984 and 2016 European Championships, but it has always been a multi-sport venue. It has witnessed boxing fights featuring Marcel Cerdan, a baseball match in the aftermath of the liberation of France, rugby matches and even a stage of the 2017 Tour de France. As the focal point of sport in Marseille, it was the natural choice to host the Olympic torch for the evening's celebrations. The cauldron will be lit at the end of a ceremony to end the day on a high note.
Celebration venue info
Come and celebrate the passing of the Olympic flame in Marseille!
The celebration site is free and open to all from 3.30pm to 7.45pm at the following address: PARVIS GANAY – MARSEILLE STADIUM, 13002 MARSEILLE
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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