Olympic Flame Lights Up Morbihan with a Thrilling Relay
After traversing through Loire-Atlantique and Vendée, the Olympic flame continues its journey with a stopover in Morbihan on Thursday, June 6. This event, which preludes the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is a significant highlight, featuring 102 torchbearers who will carry the flame through various iconic locations.
The day kicks off at 8:25 a.m. at the port of the Lorient Base, an area that has transformed from a former submarine base into a bustling hub of competition, business, nautical activities, and tourism. Lorient will uniquely host the only collective relay in Morbihan, organized by the Handisport Sports Federation. This 8-minute segment features 24 participants, including wheelchair fencer Léonie Saliou, and concludes at the Town Hall Square near the Moustoir stadium, home of FC Lorient, at 9:50 a.m.
The flame's journey continues to Saint-Anne-d'Auray from 10:05 a.m. to 10:25 a.m., where it will travel from the municipal stadium to the Scala Sancta and the sanctuary, a renowned pilgrimage site visited by Pope John Paul II in 1996. At 11:24 a.m., Pontivy will welcome the flame, starting from the Drogoavant sports complex and moving through key landmarks such as Pont de Quartier, Palais des Congrès, and Château des Rohan, before ending at the town hall in Place Aristide Briand.
The relay then heads to Rochefort-en-Terre at 12:35 p.m., starting from the medieval castle and making its way to the Naia Museum, an extraordinary venue for fantastic and visionary arts, before arriving at Place des Halles. Josselin is next, starting at 2:57 p.m. from Louis Chauveau stadium, passing historical sites like the castle, and ending at the town hall.
Vannes to Host Grand Finale with Lighting of Olympic Cauldron
Île aux Moines, accessible via a short boat ride from Port-Blanc, is the next stop at 5 p.m. The torch will delight onlookers as it traverses the coastal path and scenic spots like Dréhen beach before arriving at the Port. The final destination is Vannes, beginning at the Foso sports complex at 5:51 p.m. and passing landmarks such as the Saint-Pierre cathedral and the Jardin des Remparts. The grand finale features a cauldron lighting ceremony at the Esplanade Simone Veil, open to the public from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with entertainment before and after the torchbearer's arrival.
This multi-stop relay not only highlights the stunning landscapes and historical sites of Morbihan but also celebrates the spirit of the Olympics and the achievements of distinguished athletes like cyclist Warren Barguil and footballer Eugénie Le Sommer.
- The Olympic flame's journey earlier included a passage through the Atlantic regions such as the Vendée on Tuesday, June 4, following a stage in Deux-Sèvres. The torch relay commenced at the Passage du Gois, a tidal-dependent road linking the island of Noirmoutier to the Vendée coast, celebrating historical and natural wonders along the way.
- From there, it proceeded to Montaigu-Vendée, a city rich in medieval heritage, and then to Parc du Puy du Fou for a three-kilometer relay. The day's excitement culminated in Les Sables-d'Olonne, where the cauldron was lit at Place du Vendée Globe.
- The parade prominently featured figures of courage and resilience, such as Gwladys Lemoussu, a Paralympian who placed fifth in paratriathlon in Tokyo, and Lucie Caumeil, who aspires to compete in Los Angeles 2028 despite her cerebral and nervous palsy.
