Paris Prepares for a Grand Olympic Torch Relay
The Olympic flame made a grand tour of Paris on Monday, July 15, as part of its journey leading up to the Paris 2024 Games. The city of Saint-Denis is also eagerly preparing for the arrival of the torch, which was lit last April in Olympia, Greece. The torch is set to arrive in Saint-Denis on July 26, before heading to the banks of the Seine and the Tuileries Garden for the opening ceremony.
Celebrations and Disruptions Across Paris
The municipality of Saint-Denis is planning a festive day, with renowned athletes expected to participate in the relay, particularly around the Stade de France and the transformed Pleyel district. A major concert featuring singer Slimane, who represented France at the last Eurovision contest, will be held at Place Victor-Hugo. The concert will be broadcast live by France 2, which has secured the rights to broadcast the Games along with Eurosport.
However, the torch relay is also causing numerous disruptions to public transport in Paris. The RATP has detailed the extent of these disruptions, with 68 bus lines affected throughout the day due to traffic restrictions. Certain metro stations, such as République and Temple, will also be closed temporarily. The disruptions are a precursor to the challenges expected across the Île-de-France Mobilités network during the Games.
Thierry Henry Kicks Off the Torch Relay
Former French national team star Thierry Henry had the honor of being the first to carry the Olympic torch on Sunday, July 14, following France's National Day celebrations. The torch relay began at the end of a modified military parade on Foch Street and continued to the Champs-Élysées Avenue, where Henry started its journey. The flame will cross the heart of the capital for approximately 12 hours before reaching the Paris City Hall, where it will spend the night. Over the two-day relay, the torch will cover about 60 km, carried by 540 people and supervised by 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers.
- The Olympic flame's journey through Paris is a significant event, marking the final sprint towards the Paris 2024 Games. The city of Saint-Denis, which will host the Olympic village and several key events, is preparing to welcome the torch with grand celebrations and a major concert featuring singer Slimane.
- Public transport in Paris is facing significant disruptions due to the torch relay. The RATP has announced that 68 bus lines will be affected, and certain metro stations will be temporarily closed. These disruptions are a preview of the challenges expected during the Games, and users are advised to be patient.
- Thierry Henry, a former French national team star, had the honor of being the first to carry the Olympic torch following France's National Day celebrations. The torch relay began with a modified military parade and continued through the Champs-Élysées Avenue. The flame will cross the heart of Paris over two days, carried by 540 people and supervised by a large security presence.
