Nothing could send a more powerful message on Bastille Day than the Olympic torch weaving its way around Paris. The torch will make its first foray into the capital twelve days before the Opening Ceremony, allowing Parisians and visitors to the City of Light a preview of the big celebration of Olympism to come. This unique day will see the torch run down the Champs-Élysées: the traditional scene of the military parade.

From there, it will go to the Grand Palais and Petit Palais. Next, it will go through the Jardin du Luxembourg: a 25-hectare green oasis in the heart of the city. The torch will also zip past L'Olympia, where a whole constellation of stars has shone. After that, it will set a course for the prestigious Place Vendôme and on to the Louvre, which welcomes over 7 million visitors every year. The torch will then advance to the Centre Pompidou, which houses the biggest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe. It will then be time to head to the celebration site: Place de l'Hôtel de Ville.

Celebrations in Paris

Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, also known as Esplanade de la Libération, will host the end-of-day ceremony. The square has sat in front of Paris City Hall since the 14^th century and has been a nexus of French history for colossal moments that have included the election of the first mayor of Paris in 1789 and General De Gaulle's speech announcing the liberation of the capital on 25 August 1944. The city hill building itself has been ravaged by two major fires; first in 1652 during an uprising against Louis XIV and again under the Paris Commune, a revolutionary movement at the beginning of the Third Republic. The square is now a favourite meeting point for Parisians, who flock here to watch major sports events on giant screens, skate on a giant ice rink in winter, and enjoy concerts in summer. On 14 July 2024, the Olympic torch will be the protagonist of the evening. It will burn brightly in the capital, lighting up the summer evening as the city gears up for the start of the Olympic Games!

Celebration venue info

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

The celebration site is free and open to all from 3.30pm to 7.45pm at the following address: PLACE DE L'HOTEL DE VILLE, 75004 PARIS

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!