Paris – Flame 13

Commemoration of the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of Paris

In August 2024, Paris will celebrate the 80^th anniversary of its liberation in 1944. A number of commemorative events will take place in the capital on 24^th and 25^th August. On 25^th August, a celebratory and popular military parade will take place at the beginning of the afternoon on Avenue du Général Leclerc from Porte d’Orléans to Place Denfert Rochereau. An official ceremony will be held on the square in the presence of the French President and the Mayor of Paris. The Paralympic Torch will appear at the end of the parade to begin the ceremony. It will be carried by a collective relay made up of a representative from each of the five towns/cities distinguished by General Charles de Gaulle as Companions of the Liberation. These five towns/cities of very different sizes embody France’s diversity and richness (Paris, Nantes, Grenoble, Île-de-Sein and Vassieux-en-Vercors). This will be the convergence of two major events marking this exceptional summer in Paris.

A visit to Rock-en-Seine, a Cultural Olympiad labelled festival

Just several days before the beginning of the Paralympic Games, the 20th edition of the Rock-en-Seine festival will welcome the Paralympic Torch onto its stage and will dedicate part of its programme to the colours of the Cultural Olympics. For this year's edition alongside the Paralympic Games, the festival has chosen to put the issue of inclusiveness at the heart of its festivities (translations of concerts into French sign language, collaborations between programmed artists and an inclusive choir) and will make sure that its site is as accessible to as many people as possible. Since this year is exceptional, in addition to the concerts festival-goers will also be able to discover a climbing wall designed by street artist The Blind, testimonials from sportspeople on the Talk! Stage, as well as quirky events in the Arènes du Rock zone, and much more.