After twelve days of crossing the Mediterranean from Greece, the Olympic flame arrived in Marseille this Wednesday, May 8 early in the morning, aboard the Belem. The ship made its majestic entry into the Old Port of the Phocaean city at 5 p.m. UT. It should dock in a few moments in front of Canebière, an emblematic avenue of Marseille. Follow the ceremony live, and our special edition on our channels.
79 days before the official start of the Paris Olympic Games, which will take place from July 26 to August 11, France’s second city welcomes the arrival of the flame and the lighting ceremony of the first Olympic cauldron, around 7:45 p.m. Nearly 150,000 people are currently in the Old Port.
Shortly after 8 a.m. this Wednesday morning, the Belemlegendary three-masted ship, ancient glory of the merchant navy, was still off the coast of Marseille, beyond the Frioul islands and the Planier lighthouse, on a calm sea and under a radiant sun.
The arrival ceremony of the Olympic flame first began with a gigantic maritime parade, with 1,024 boats registered to escort the Belem in the northern then southern harbors of the Phocaean city, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Below, follow the key events of the ceremony (times in UT). Refresh the page
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