The Olympic flame arrives in Marseille

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.

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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 in Marseille harbour from the north at around 11am . 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, fire works 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!

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!)

More about the 2024 Olympics in Marseille

Practical information (FAQ)

Wednesday 8 May > Around the Old Port

What sector is concerned?
A secure zone will be set up around the Old Port, marked out by barriers and access will be via screening points.
See the map of the area below:
PLAN
From what time will the system be in place?
The perimeter will be cordoned off from 7am on Wednesday 8 May until the end of the festivities at around 2am.
How will filtering be carried out?
Bags and other personal belongings will be opened, palpated and metal-detected. These checks will be carried out by the town’s security staff, supported by the police.
Traffic and parking within the perimeter
- The ban on driving in this zone will take effect from 8pm on 7 May until 2.30pm on 9 May.
- Parking bans will take effect from 10pm on 5 May until 2.30pm on 9 May.
  The removal of vehicles from the celebration zone and the security perimeter
  will begin at 10pm on 5 May.
Can I carry food and drink?
Yes if there are no glass containers. All bags must be checked before entering the area.
Can we have a backpack? a suitcase? a sports bag?
Yes, as long as there are no glass containers or dangerous objects inside. In all cases they will be opened and checked.

What objects are prohibited within the perimeter?
Flags and banners
Drones
Lasers
torches
Bikes
scooters
Skates
Large objects
Stoves
All glass containers
Firecrackers
Fireworks
Smoke bombs
Flammable substances
Alcohol
Diving equipment / lifejackets / flippers and snorkels
Weapons (all categories)
Narcotic substances
Am I restricted in my movements within the security perimeter?
No. You can come and go as you please, but you will always have to go through security.
Getting around the Old Port
The use of motorised vehicles (cars, scooters, etc.), bicycles, scooters and
any individual mobility device is strictly prohibited in the celebration zone and safety perimeter from 8pm on 7 May to 2.30pm on 9 May (except for emergency vehicles and authorised vehicles).
which car parks are accessible?
– Parking Vieux Port Mucem :
Entrances: Closed from 6am. Exit Boulevard Jacques Saadé,
authorised but only towards Joliette
– Jules Verne – Hôtel de Ville car park: Closed
– Vieux Port – La Criée car park: Closed
– Estienne d’Orves car park
Entrances closed from 6am on 8 May
Place aux Huiles exit – Closed from 6am on 8 May
Cours Jean Ballard exit – Authorised Direction Préfecture
– Centre Bourse car park: Normal operation
– Charles de Gaulle car park: Normal operation
– Sadi Carnot car park: Normal operation
– Palais du Pharo car park: Normal operation
– Rond Point du Prado car park (8th)
– Vallier car park (4th)
– Timone I car park La Blancarde car park (5th arrondissement)
– Frais Vallon car park (14th)
– La Fourragère car park (12th arrondissement)
Does public transports work?
Vieux-Port station will be completely closed on 8 May and the stop will not be served.
The Frioul shuttles will be accessible, but on 8 May the ticket office and boarding will be moved to the Mucem,
The Pointe-Rouge and Estaque shuttles:
Services to Estaque, les Goudes and Pointe Rouge will be cancelled on Wednesday 8 May.
Some bus routes will be modified: RTM website
Will the shops and restaurants be open?
Yes. All businesses, without exception, will be able to continue operating
as normal, as will hotels, restaurants and bars, which will be able to remain open
even within this perimeter.
Please note!
Glass containers (whatever the drink they contain) will be banned from
sale.
Glass containers will not be allowed on restaurant/bar terraces.
Please use single-use containers.
This ban will also require glass water carafes to be replaced by
plastic bottles.

Thursday 9 May > Route of the Flame

Will the tunnels be open?
Access to and from the Vieux-Port and Prado-Carenage tunnels will be restricted from 7am on 8 May to 2am on 9 May.
Vieux- Port Tunnel, North-South Joliette direction: “Saint Victor -Préfecture” exit ramp and “Le Pharo – La Plage” exit ramp, with the obligation to use the Prado Carénage Tunnel.
– Vieux-Port Tunnel (South-North direction): access ramp from Boulevard Charles Livon
/ Pharo in the direction of “Marignane Aéroport Aix-Fos-Lyon / La Joliette”.
– Vieux- Port Tunnel south-northbound: access ramp from Rampe Saint Maurice
in the direction of “Marignane Aéroport Aix-Fos-Lyon / La Joliette”.
– Vieux-Port Tunnel south-northbound: access ramp from Boulevard Charles Livon/Criée towards “Marignane Aéroport Aix-Fos-Lyon / La Joliette”.
– Prado Carénage tunnel: “Centre-Ville Préfecture” exit slip road
– Prado Carénage tunnel: “Pharo-La Plage” exit slip road
– Prado Carénage tunnel: “Aubagne – Toulon / Menpenti-plage” entry slip road
– Joliette Tunnel: “Panier” exit slip road and access to the J4 car park, with an obligation to use the Prado Carénage Tunnel.
– No entry on 9 May from 8.20am to 11am from the Prado Sud Tunnel: Prado exit slip road
the beach
– No entry on 9 May from 5pm to 8.30pm from the Prado Sud Tunnel: Exit slip road
Michelet
Parking on the course
On all segments, parking will be prohibited from 10pm on 5 May and will be reinstated 1 hour after the Flame has passed, as follows:
– Vieux-Port sector: parking authorised from 2.30pm
– Segment 1 Notre-Dame de la Garde -Place Estrangin: parking authorised from
from 10.05am
– Segment 2 Parc Borély-Palais du Pharo: parking authorised from 12 noon
– Segment 3 Lettres Marseille Foresta: No parking ban
– Segment 4 Palais du Pharo – Cité Internationale: parking authorised from
from 2.30pm
– Segment 5 Parc Font Obscure: No restrictions
– Segment 6 Hôtel du Département -Palais Longchamp: parking authorised
from 5.20pm
– Segment 7 Parc de la Moline: No parking ban
– Segment 8 Perier – Obélisque de Mazargues Stade Vélodrome: parking
authorised from 8.30pm