Third stage and a new department, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence! After its arrival in Marseille and its passage to Toulon and the Var in the middle of the week, the Olympic flame will gain altitude and rise to the summits this Saturday, May 11. A total of 89 carriers will participate in this stage.
The flame will first pass, from 9 a.m., to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (04), star village of Provence located at the gateway to the Verdon gorges. She will visit the Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir chapel. Built between the 12th and 16th centuries, it was classified as a historic monument in 1921.
The flame will then travel through the city of Sisteron around 9:20 a.m. Located on the Route Napoléon, it holds the label “Most beautiful detours in France”, notably for its famous citadel through which the flame will pass, before going to the Rocher de la Baume, a remarkable climbing site. A collective relay entitled “mountain and climbing” will be organized. Thierry Delarue, member of the French para-climbing team, will carry the flame.
The house of the writer and filmmaker Jean Giono lit by flame
It will leave the hands of the quadruple world champion to take the road to Digne-les-Bains at midday (12:10 p.m.-1:25 p.m.) to explore the Haute-Provence Geopark, recognized by UNESCO. It will run along the banks of the Bléone, the river which crosses the city.
The historical heritage will not be forgotten since Colmars-les-Alpes, the Flame will illuminate the Fort de Savoie (1:35 p.m. to 1:55 p.m.) and in Forcalquier (4:30 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.), the Notre-Dame-du-Bourguet cathedral.
The flame will then shine a light on the town of Barcelonnette to 6 p.m., where the stroll will pass in front of the Mexican villas of the Ubaye valley, built in the 19th century. The day will end at Manosquethe most populated town in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, where the end-of-day festivities will take place, accessible free of charge (from 3:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.).
The Jean Salobert stadium in Manosque, site of the cauldron celebration
The flame will travel through the city from 6:45 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. Its route will begin to the north of the medieval enclosure by the Porte de Soubeyran, built in the 13th century. Then, head towards the Porte de la Saunerie, built at the end of the 14th century. The flame will then go to the Jean-Giono center in what was the author’s house and refuge from 1930 to 1970. It will then go to the Moulin de l’Olivette, the cooperative known for its olive oils. It will then be time for the end of the day celebration which will take place at the Jean Salobert stadium in Manosque: the general public will be able to gather at the Parc de la Rochette, the city’s major sports infrastructure in order to enjoy it throughout. throughout the evening.
A show will be organized on the sports area from 6 p.m. At 7:20 p.m., the last of the 89 torchbearers for the stage will arrive, followed by the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. A giant screen, a host and a DJ will also be present to get the audience in the mood.
