Marseille Accueillir Flamme May 8 PanoMarseille Accueillir Flamme May 8 Pano
©Marseille Accueillir Flamme May 8 Pano

Marseille lights up for the Olympics: arrival of the Olympic flame

On May 8, Marseille is set to experience a historic moment with the arrival of the Olympic flame in its emblematic Vieux-Port. It will enter French soil aboard the famous three-masted ship “Le Belem”. Join us in celebrating this emblematic event, where sport, tradition and fraternity meet in a festive moment.

An historic moment for Marseille

According to tradition, the Flame is lit (thanks to the sun’s rays) during a ceremony celebrated in the sanctuary of Olympia, in Greece. It will be lit on 16 April. It will then begin its journey to reach its final destination on 26 July 2024 (opening of the Olympic Games). From Olympia, it will head for Athens to embark on the Belem, cross the Mediterranean and reach land in Marseille. From there, it will cross France and visit exceptional and historic sites such as Carcassonne, the Lascaux caves, Mont Saint-Michel and Versailles, so many places that have contributed to the history of France. The Relay of the Flame is a real event preceding the opening of the Olympic Games, and it will take place in the oldest city in France, Marseille!

The Belem

The choice of the Belem, a historic ship and French maritime treasure, to carry the Olympic flame to Marseille adds a cultural and heritage dimension to the event. Sailing through Mediterranean waters, the Belem symbolises the link between the past, the present and the future, embodying the values of perseverance and determination so dear to the Olympic Games.

Its arrival in Marseille on 8 May

Steeped in culture and history, Marseille will be hosting the Olympic flame for the 2024 Games. This event, a symbol of peace, unity and sporting excellence, will be marked by the remarkable arrival of the Belem. Sailing from Greece to the Old Port of Marseille, a highly historic symbol in this city founded more than 2,600 years ago by sailors from Phocaea in Greece.

The grand maritime parade

The Belem will arrive off Marseille around 9am, and at 11am she will begin her parade through the northern harbour. A large armada of over 1,000 boats will welcome and escort her(take part in the parade with your own boat). From 11am to 5pm, it will slowly make its way along the coast from north to south, as close to the coast as possible, in a loop. Viewpoints will be set up all along the coast, on the Corniche Kennedy at the Mémorial des rapatriés d’Algérie, at the îlot de la Corniche, at the Jardin du Pharo and on the Estaque side at the Espace Mistral. The parade will also be shown on giant screens in the Old Port.
  Route and regulations at sea during the maritime parade

The Belem in the Old Port – Grand welcoming ceremony

The Belem is due to enter the Old Port at around 7pm.
A pontoon nearly 100 metres long will be set up on the water of the Old Port, with an athletics track above it. The torchbearer, the singer from Marseilles, Soprano, will come ashore to light the Olympic cauldron installed for the occasion at the end of this floating track at around 7.40pm. Grandstands will be set up on both sides of the flame, along with giant screens all around the Old Port and a large floating stage along the Quai de la Fraternité. This exceptional evening will be punctuated by a variety of events, including a major concert  and other surprises. Nearly 150,000 people are expected to attend this exceptional event, which will be broadcast live on France Télévision. The flame will remain in Marseille for two days. It will then head for our neighbours in the Var region.

Entertainment throughout the day

The Old Port will be pedestrianised all day. Shops and restaurants will remain open. There will be plenty of entertainment all around the Old Port. The city will be celebrating to welcome the flame! Even the letters MARSEILLE at the entrance to the city will be illuminated in Olympic colours for the occasion.

All around the Old Port
From 11am to 5pm
Photobooth: To make this day unforgettable!
Escape Game on the theme of the Olympic Games
Fanfare and Dj Set
Make-up parade
From 2pm to 4pm
Introduction to Handibasket
2pm to 5pm
– Live graffiti: a giant live fresco featuring symbols of Marseille and the Olympics.
– Participatory fresco: colouring in a fresco
– Breakdance demonstrations (3 crews)

Stage in front of the Town Hall :
2pm – 2.45pm Sports Quiz
2.45pm – 3pm Flash Mob
3pm – 3.15pm Just Dance
3.15pm – 3.30pm Freestyle Football Demonstration
3.30pm – 3.45pm Sports Quiz
3.45pm – 4.30pm “Les Marseillaises et le sport” demonstration
16h30 – 16h45 Flash Mob
4.45pm – 5pm Just Dance

In the Pharo Gardens
The park will be open from 11am to 7pm. Les Marseillaises and sport” exhibition

On J4
from 2pm to 5pm: BMX Water jump show

Ceremony
7pm > Arrival of the Belem in the Port / 7.40pm > Olympic cauldron / 8pm > Grand concert by Soprano and Alonzo

9 May – The torch’s journey through the city

The first Olympic torch relay will start at Notre Dame de la Garde.

1 – Notre Dame de la Garde 8.20am > Estrangin 9.05am
Bd Vauban, rue Breteuil

2- Parc Borely 9.20am – Palais du Pharo 11am
Corniche Kennedy

3- Letter Marseille 11.10am > 11.20am
Route around the letters MARSEILLE

4- Palais du Pharo 11.40am > Arenc 1.15pm
Vieux-Port, Hôtel de Ville, Bd Jacques Saadé, Quai du Lazaret

5- Font Obscure Park 2.10pm > 2.30pm
Loops in the park

6- Dôme 3.30pm > Palais Longchamp 4.20pm
Bd Françoise Duparc (Jarret)

7- Parc de la Moline 4.45pm > 5.05pm
Loops in the park

8 – Périer 5.40pm > Stade Vélodrome
Avenue du Prado, Bd Michelet
Arrival at the Stade Vélodrome, on the Esplanade Ganay for the Cauldron ceremony

Who are the “bearers”?

On its journey from Greece to its final destination, Paris, the flame will be carried by 10,000 “torch bearers “ (as the torchbearers are known). Rigorously selected, they have been chosen from among celebrities as well as anonymous people.In Marseilles, hundreds of people will have the honour of carrying the famous “sacred fire” on this long journey through the city’s symbolic sites. Each torchbearer will carry the flame for around 4 minutes, running at an average speed of 4 km/h. Among them will be Jean-Pierre Papin (former OM player), Valentin Rongier (OM player), Fabien Gilot (swimmer and Olympic medallist) and Alexandre Mazzia (three-star chef from Marseilles).

Marseille, beating heart of the Olympics

Marseille, with its rich cultural heritage and love of sport, has positioned itself as a key venue for the 2024 Olympics. The arrival of the Olympic flame in this city is no coincidence; it reflects the importance of Marseille in the French sporting panorama. The city will be hosting several events at the Games, including sailing, football and kite surf, reinforcing its status as a sporting capital. (Marseille was voted European Capital of Sport in 2017!)

Practical information (FAQ)

Wednesday 8 May > Around the Old Port
Thursday 9 May > Route of the Flame
Close
February
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
2627282930311234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272812345678
February
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
2627282930311234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272812345678