Somme has a rich history shaped by the two world wars, which created lasting bonds with the Commonwealth nations. On Thursday, 4 July, the Olympic torch will start its tour of the department from Abbeville, where it will blaze past a belfry that has stood the test of time since the 13^th century. It will then head to Villers-Bretonneux and visit the Sir John Monash Centre, which pays tribute to the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought in World War I.

After going through Doullens and its citadel, the torch will make its way to La Chaussée-Tirancourt, where it will stop by Samara Park—a vast natural park dedicated to prehistory and the Gallo-Roman period. It will also visit Albert and its Art Deco facades and Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, a medieval town with a stunning view of the Somme Bay. The final leg of the day will take it to Amiens.

Celebrations in Amiens

The festivities will continue in Amiens. Its exuberant historical and cultural heritage has earned it the moniker "Little Venice of the North". The Olympic torch will begin its expedition in the city in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral. A masterpiece of Gothic art, the cathedral is the largest in France—more than twice the size of Notre-Dame de Paris! Then it will head to its belfry (a towering 52-metre edifice) before making its way to the citadel, whose construction started in the 16^th century.

The torch will then skirt the Botanical Garden and stop by the Coliseum: a sports complex with a swimming pool and an Olympic ice rink. It will also pay tribute to a great French writer, Jules Verne, the second most translated author in the world. The torch will zip past the house (now immortalised as a museum) where Verne lived for 34 years. It will then be time to head to Place Longueville in front of the Jules Verne Circus, which will host the end-of-day ceremony that will include the lighting of the cauldron and a celebration of Olympism, its values, and its history.

Celebration venue info

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

The celebration site is free and open to all from 3.30pm to 7.45pm at the following address: PLACE DE LONGUEVILLE, 80000 AMIENS

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!