Yvelines / Essonne – Flame 9 and 12

Torch no. 9 will highlight the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome, one of the venues of the 2024 Paralympic Games, after a diversion to Grigny in Essonne, whereas torch no. 12 will visit Houdan and its keep, a listed historic monument.

A slice of French splendour brimming with cultural and natural gems

Yvelines, a constellation of popular tourist destinations steeped in history, remarkable villages and new cities, with 80% of natural and rural areas, is a scale model of France. On top of jaw-dropping places such as the Versailles National Estate and attractions such as Thoiry ZooSafari, this corner of the world is teeming with cultural and natural gems well worth a detour. Yvelines, a "great outdoors" department, is a breath of fresh air, perfect for eco-tourism and gentle outdoor pursuits, with farm-to-table gastronomical experiences.

Fighting for sport for all

The department champions sport for all and has made it a cornerstone of social and educational policies across its territory. On the one hand, it is backing the Connected Para-sport Health Institute, set to open its doors in Yvelines in 2026. This "Héritage 2024" project will be part of a concerted effort to promote public health and inclusion. The institute will break ground in July 2024, when the Olympic torch visits Yvelines. On the other hand, the department is also rallying behind Departmental Committees and sporting clubs that are breaking barriers and raising awareness about disability through sport.