The Olympic torch relay resumed its journey through Paris on Monday, July 15, with a route that highlighted the city's peripheral districts. The relay kicked off at 8:15 a.m. from the Adidas Arena at Porte de la Chapelle, a newly built enclosure for the Olympic Games, and continued down rue de la Chapelle, a street that has undergone significant rehabilitation. Local residents have welcomed these investments, which are expected to be lasting legacies of the Olympics.
A notable event occurred at 9 a.m. with the arrival of the flame at Sacré-Cœur square, accompanied by a dance show. The relay then passed through the 18th and 17th arrondissements, including a stop in front of the Moulin-Rouge at 9:25 a.m. By 11 a.m., the torch reached the Arc de Triomphe, Place de l'Etoile, and descended the Champs-Elysées before ascending again, marking a symbolic passage.
At 11:45 a.m., the relay stopped at the Trocadéro, offering a grand view of the Eiffel Tower adorned with giant Olympic rings. The torch continued its journey, making a significant stop at Place de Catalogne at 3 p.m., a site that symbolizes Paris's efforts to green its public spaces. Additional events were organized at Roland Garros and Buttes-Chaumont, where the public enjoyed a bucolic setting and a giant picnic.
The torch also passed through the port of Arsenal at 5 p.m. and Place de la Bastille at 6:10 p.m., promising beautiful images. The day's journey concluded at Place de la République at 8:30 p.m. with a giant concert organized by Coca Cola, featuring performances by Jain, Ofenbach, and Mentissa.
The Olympic flame's journey through Paris began on Sunday, July 14, coinciding with France's National Day. The relay started at Avenue Foch following a military parade and passed through various iconic Parisian landmarks. Thierry Henry, former French national football team star, was the first torchbearer, starting the relay on the Champs-Élysées with a large French flag flying under the Arc de Triomphe.
Throughout the day, the torch was carried by a diverse group of individuals, including athletes, celebrities, and everyday heroes. Notable torchbearers included Marie-José Pérec, Jamel Debbouze, and Yannick Noah. The relay also paid tribute to significant historical and cultural sites, such as the Pantheon, Notre-Dame-de-Paris, and the Shoah memorial.
The torch relay represents a life-size test for the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, set to take place from July 26 to August 11, and the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8, 2024. The relay aims to thrill and reassure on both security and logistical fronts, amidst the capital's traffic disruptions.
On Monday, July 15, the torch relay will continue its journey from Porte de la Chapelle to Boulevard des Batignolles, passing through the Louis Vuitton Foundation and the Jardin d'Acclimation. The relay will then head towards Roland Garros Stadium, the François Mitterrand Library, and various other landmarks, concluding the day at Place de la République.
