On July 14 and 15, Paris vibrated to the rhythm of the Olympic flame, just a few days before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. Over 500,000 people attended this exceptional event, lighting up the capital with their enthusiasm and passion for sport. A look back in images at these two unforgettable days, which spotlighted Paris' emblematic and popular venues.
Top departure for the Olympic flame in Paris on the Champs-Élysées on July 14! The departure took place on the Avenue Foch, at the same time as the military parade organized on the avenue for this year's Fête Nationale, due to the Olympic Games. After passing throughavenue Foch, the flame was carried down the Champs-Élysées by Thierry Henri, coach of the French soccer team for these Games, and then by judoka Romane Dicko.
A troupe of dancers in blue, white and red, accompanied by Sylvie Tellier, then moved on to theNational Assembly. The troupe launches into a show choreographed by dancer Marie-Claude Pietragalla, to Dvořák's New World Symphony.
After the Assemblée, the Sénat! The flame arrives at the Jardin du Luxembourg, on its way to the Panthéon. On the program: a tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks, with Lassana Bathily, Hypercasher storekeeper who saved several people during the January 2015 attacks, as the torchbearer. On the entertainment side, an artistic performance by Yoann Bourgeois also paid tribute to the victims. Then on to the Grande Mosquée de Paris, and the Sorbonne.
A relay that continued along the banks of the Seine, towards Notre-Dame-de-Paris Cathedral, with Remi Lemaire, who helped save the cathedral during the fire of 2019. The flame was accompanied by the Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris.
After a visit to the Shoah Memorial, the Carnavalet Museum and the Place des Vosges, we headed for the Place de la Bastille with Paris Opera dancer Dorothée Gilbert and Hugo Marchand.
Then it was the turn of Pierre Garnier, winner of the last edition of Star Academy, to carry the flame in front of theOlympia, after a stop at the Bataclan.
The torch then passed through Place Vendôme, Rue de Rivoli (by Vélib') and the Musée du Louvre, where the lead singer of K-Pop group BTS, Jin, was on hand.
The Olympic flame then continued its journey through the heart of the museum, with artist JR, and a lovely pose by Marie-Claude Pietragalla, the museum's torchbearer, in front of Delacroix's La Liberté Guidant le Peuple.
There was also a short stroll past the Samaritaine, with a number of torchbearers, including Anne Huret, a Louis Vuitton employee, and Charles Leung, CEO of Chaumet.
The relay ended with the lighting of the cauldron in Place de l'Hôtel de Ville after 11pm.
The relay began on July 15 at theArena Porte de La Chapelle with foilist Ysaora Thibus, symbolizing the energy and festive spirit of the Games.
The flame then passed through iconic districts such as Montmartre, where Jamel Debbouze carried the torch, accompanied by a fiery French Cancan in front of the Moulin Rouge. A special moment took place on the Sacré-Coeur square, offering a breathtaking view of the city and a spellbinding dance show.
The day continued with memorable passes in front of historic monuments and major cultural landmarks. Matthias Dandois carried the flame on a BMX on his back wheel in front of the Eiffel Tower.
The route also included a stop at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, showcasing art and culture with works by Basquiat and Warhol.
In the evening, the relay came to an apotheosis on the Place de la République, where Nikola Karabatic lit up the Olympic cauldron in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
The day ended with a grand concert, featuring performances by Mentissa, Jain and Ofenbach, creating a festive atmosphere and anticipating the official opening of the Games on July 26. Paris celebrated the two days of the Olympic relay in style, paying tribute to its diversity and open-mindedness.
