Credit : Paris 2024 / Philémon Henry / SIPA PRESS
Stage 58 – Torch Relay – Paris – Parisians give the Olympic Torch Relay a historic welcome with the start of the games just around the corner
The Olympic spirit and its positive vibes took hold of Paris on 14 and 15 July, eleven days from the Opening Ceremony! Following an emotion-packed first day of the Torch Relay in Paris and an overnight stay in the Salle Saint-Jean at Paris City Hall that attracted 2,000 visitors, the Olympic torch resumed its tour of the French capital. A total close to 500 000 people took part in this unprecedented two-day celebration.
The route of the second stage in Paris, crafted through a collaborative effort between Paris 2024, the City of Paris and the Préfecture de Police, shined a light on the other landmarks of the city. From Ysaora Thibus getting the show on the road at Porte de La Chapelle Arena to Nikola Karabatic lighting the cauldron in Place de la République, with Clarisse Agbégnénou taking the torch to the top of the Eiffel Tower in between, 340 torchbearers carried it around Paris throughout the day.
The Torch Relay —sponsored by Coca-Cola, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne— weaved its way past the historic monuments that have made the City of Light famous, as well as its top sporting venues, distinctive neighbourhoods and local hotspots. The route of the stage was a whistle-stop tour of everything that makes the French capital what it is. It was a heartfelt tribute to Paris as a melting pot and a global city. The City of Paris delighted the public with a wide range of activities before Coca-Cola brought the house down with an amazing concert in Place de la République!
A route celebrating the mood and contrasts of Paris
Day two of the Torch Relay in the French capital continued to serve up a mix of two sides of Paris: the one that has stolen the heart of the world and one that is more down to Earth. Today, the Olympic torch hit the road in the north of the city, proudly carried by the foil fencer Ysaora Thibus at Porte de la Chapelle Arena, a new Olympic venue. This eco-designed facility, built with local residents in mind, will host the badminton, rhythmic gymnastics and para powerlifting events. It also featured an exhibition of female athlete portraits by the illustrator Clémence Gouy. The torch then made its way along Boulevard Barbès, carried by the comedian Jamel Debbouze, born and bred in the neighbourhood, to the delight of onlookers. It then paid a visit to the Moulin Rouge, whose legendary dancers greeted it with a lively outdoor performance of the French Cancan! The Olympic torch then rose to Montmartre, taking in the views from the esplanade of Sacré-Cœur Basilica, where the Compagnie Murmuration put on a dance performance.
The Relay continued to pound the tarmac from Boulevard des Batignolles to Place du Général Catroux, where a Caribbean orchestra set the rhythm for a tribute to the Guadeloupean heroine Solitude in front of her namesake statue! Next up was a tour of three iconic Parisian landmarks: the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées and the Trocadéro. Here, the BMX star Matthias Dandois carried the torch in style with a wheelie against the dramatic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower.
Continuing its mission to show the magic of art and culture, the Olympic torch enjoyed a stunning interlude inside the Fondation Louis Vuitton, where it zipped past the Olympic Rings by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol before venturing into the Jardin d’Acclimatation.
The torch made a brief detour to the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand before returning to the 16th district of Paris to meet the teams at France Télévisions, the official broadcaster of the Games. It then rode the elevated metro from Passy to Bir-Hakeim before crossing the Île aux Cygnes and roaming the 15th district. This segment featured a Double Dutch demonstration by The RopesStylers and a Roller Dance Party in Rue de Vaugirard. The Relay advanced from Place de la Catalogne to Place d’Italie, passing through Place Denfert-Rochereau, where the sounds of the La Sirène brass band filled the air. In Butte-aux-Cailles, locals were treated to an upbeat neighbourhood celebration. Meanwhile, the Danse Vertikale troupe delivered a breathtaking performance at the open-air street art museum.
The climax of the day came when the Olympic torch climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower in a breathtaking sequence. The pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie passed it on to the chef Frédéric Anton, who in turn handed it over to the judoka Clarisse Agbégnénou.
A whole constellation of festivities organised by the City of Paris kept the capital swinging throughout the day! The relay took in a mesmerising kite display at Passerelle Mornay, followed by a traditional dance in Place Léon Blum, where the Les Balochiens guinguette orchestra set toes tapping. Next, the torch headed to Père Lachaise Cemetery and Place Édith Piaf, where the Envie de chanter choir covered some of the timeless French singer’s repertoire. The torch then touched grass in Parc des Buttes Chaumont, where a giant picnic awaited, before plunging down Rue de Belleville to the beat of drums.
The stage came to a close at Place de la République, where the legendary handball player and three-time Olympic gold medallist Nikola Karabatic ignited the cauldron before a huge crowd. An extraordinary concert organised by Coca-Cola followed. Following performances by Soprano and Alonzo in Marseille, Lujipeka and Chilla in Rennes, and Bianca Costa and Santa in Saint-Étienne, three renowned artists took to the stage in Paris: Mentissa, Jain and Ofenbach. Their voices kept the festive atmosphere alive well into the night in a sort of prelude of the return of the Olympic torch to Paris on 26 July, the date of the Opening Ceremony!
Sport and team spirit take centre stage
Roland Garros, set to host the Olympic tennis, wheelchair tennis and boxing events, witnessed a different kind of spectacle today. The French Tennis Federation organised a team relay captained by François Jauffret, the record holder for the most Davis Cup appearances and most Roland Garros semi-finals. Joining him were champions from all tennis families —including deaf tennis, wheelchair tennis and beach tennis— along with leading figures and volunteers.
Another team relay took place a few hours later at the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP), a hotbed of French talent. Tony Estanguet, the President of Paris 2024, participated in this team relay, celebrating French sport by bringing together former flagbearers who have inspired the nation in the past. Among them were Marie-José Pérec, Christine Caron (track and field), Laura Flessel (fencing), Béatrice Hess (para swimming), Sandrine Martinet (para judo), Samir Ait Said (gymnastics), David Douillet (judo), Jean-François Lamour (fencing), Michael Jeremiasz (tennis) and many others.
Torchbearers from all walks of life
Throughout the day, French champions took turns carrying the torch through the streets of Paris, including the rugby player Gaël Fickou, the boxers Aya Cissoko and Souleymane Cissokho, the track and field athletes Éric Perrot and Frédérique Quentin, and the tennis player Gilles Moretton. International athletes also joined in, such as Rosa Mota, the Portuguese gold medallist in the marathon in Seoul, and Ellie Simmonds, the British para swimmer with five Olympic medals to her name.
The day was highlighted by the presence of figures admired by the French for their talent, personality and engagement. Crowds lined the streets to cheer for the singer Amir and the three evening concert performers, Mentissa, Jain and Ofenbach. The actress Claudia Tagbo was part of the festivities, as were Nina Metayer, acclaimed as the world’s top pastry chef, the chef Mory Sacko and Tharshan Selvarajah, the winner of the 2023 Best Baguette in Paris competition.
As in previous stages, unsung heroes with inspiring stories to tell also carried the Olympic torch. One such person was Léon Lewkowicz, a survivor of Auschwitz who went on to become the French weightlifting champion. Spectators also saw Shanga Itaka from the Sensations Inclusives charity, which strives to improve access to sports for people with disabilities, and Vivien Boyi-Banga, founder of Les Talents du 18, which encourages youth in northern Paris to take up sports.
After these two festive days, which offered a sneak peek of the Games in the heart of Paris, mark your calendars for 26 July for the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay, when the torch will ignite the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony in the City of Light!