The Olympic torch, lit in ancient Olympia, Greece on April 16, has arrived in Marseille, France, after a 12-day journey across the Mediterranean. In the old part of Marseille, 150,000 people gathered to see its arrival. The flame made its grand entrance aboard the Belem, cruising into the southern city founded by the Greek settlers of Phocaea around 600 BC. It arrived just outside the old port, amid tight security, as more than 1,000 boats accompanied the Belem's parade around the bay of Marseille. The torch relay is set to begin tomorrow. It will make stops in iconic places across the country, including the world-famous Mont Saint-Michel to D-Day landing beaches in Normandy and the Versailles Palace. More than 10,000 people are expected to participate in the torch relay before the flame reaches Paris. France revealed the design of the relay cauldrons, which will be lit at the end of each stage of the flame's journey, this week. The location of the Olympic cauldron in Paris remains a closely guarded secret until the day of the event. Among the reported options are iconic spots such as the Eiffel Tower and the Tuileries Gardens outside the Louvre Museum. The Olympic opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on the River Seine on July 26.
The Olympic torch, lit in ancient Olympia, Greece on April 16, has arrived in Marseille, France, after a 12-day journey across the Mediterranean.
In the old part of Marseille, 150,000 people gathered to see its arrival.
The flame made its grand entrance aboard the Belem, cruising into the southern city founded by the Greek settlers of Phocaea around 600 BC.
It arrived just outside the old port, amid tight security, as more than 1,000 boats accompanied the Belem's parade around the bay of Marseille.
The torch relay is set to begin tomorrow.
SYLVAIN THOMAS
French 19th-century three-masted barque Belem arrives at the Vieux-Port (Old Port) as red, white, and blue fireworks are fired during the Olympic Flame arrival ceremony as part of its journey ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Marseille, southeastern France, on May 8, 2024.
It will make stops in iconic places across the country, including the world-famous Mont Saint-Michel to D-Day landing beaches in Normandy and the Versailles Palace.
More than 10,000 people are expected to participate in the torch relay before the flame reaches Paris.
France revealed the design of the relay cauldrons, which will be lit at the end of each stage of the flame's journey, this week.
The location of the Olympic cauldron in Paris remains a closely guarded secret until the day of the event. Among the reported options are iconic spots such as the Eiffel Tower and the Tuileries Gardens outside the Louvre Museum.
The Olympic opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on the River Seine on July 26.
