discover the journey of the Olympic flame in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, city by city

After a remarkable arrival in the port of Marseille on May 8, the Olympic flame will travel through 65 departments before reaching Paris on July 26. On Monday May 20, it will enter New Aquitaine via the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, before continuing its route to Dordogne (May 23), Gironde (May 23) and Charente (May 24). In 64, nine municipalities will experience this unique moment, where a hundred bearers will take turns throughout this Pentecost Monday, with a common objective: that the flame does not go out.

Biarritz-Anglet, departure at 8 a.m.

It is through Biarritz that the Olympic flame will begin its Basque-Béarnais journey on May 20, 2024. Meet at 8 a.m. sharp with Basque music and dances, square Jean-Baptiste Lassalle, at the top of the Côte des Basques steps, to start the stage. A continuous route from Biarritz to Anglet, along the coast. His Biarritz route will end on Avenue de l’Impératrice to go up towards the lighthouse in the direction of new celebrations in Anglet.

Here, she will enter via the Boulevard de la Mer, towards the Chambre d’Amour. Please note: the site will be closed between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. It is recommended to arrive earlier and park in the car parks at Corsaires and Marinella beaches, a few hundred meters away. Its route will continue via Anglet Surf avenue, along the Victor-Mendiboure promenade to complete its course in Les Sables d’or, with a finale scheduled for 9:33 a.m.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz, departure 9:45 a.m.

This will be one of the towns in the department where the show will be complete. The Olympic flame will arrive on May 20 in corsair lands aboard an emblematic boat of the Basque Country, the dragière. To do this, a flame kept vigil all night in the fishing port of Ciboure will sail discreetly to the Artha dyke, one of the three stone ramparts that protect the bay.

Kick-off will be given at 9:45 a.m. sharp. The first two torchbearers will be on board. A large maritime guard of honor will welcome the arrival of the flame. The rest of the meeting will take place, swinging drums, along the Quai de l’Infante, on Place Louis-XIV, in Rue Gambetta and Rue Garat and up to the eponymous belvedere, seat of the closing ceremony, with a view grandiose view of the bay, at 10:25 a.m.

Bayonne, departure 10:50 a.m.

In Bayonne, the “engagement” format will lead the flame between the two banks of the Adour. Here, like the previous cities, torchbearers will transmit the symbol every 200 meters. The Olympic march will leave from the Pierre-Cacareigt stadium, following Avenue de Plantoun and Boulevard Jean-Jaurès, before following the Adour, along Quai Bergeret.

At the same time, the “heavy convoy”, a sort of caravan of the flame, will take the Alsace-Lorraine Boulevard. New pause in Gambetta Square, from one hand to the other. The sacred fire will cross the river towards Petit Bayonne. Allées Boufflers, rue de Ravignan, place Paul-Bert, rue Pelletier, allée des Platanes, pont du Génie. The flame will set sail on the Nive and slide downstream, then on the Adour before securing the moorings at the Quai de Lesseps. The final strides will bring the big relay to Place de la Liberté. The “arrival village” will mark the end of a 4.6 kilometer journey.

Hasparren, departure 12:18 p.m.

Hasparren, with its approximately 7,500 souls, embodies these small towns which will host the Olympic route. After Bayonne, the flame will set off in the city of Chênes at 12:18 p.m., with a planned departure from the multi-fronton. She will arrive at Place des Tilleuls at 12:38 p.m. sharp, for a ceremony that is expected to be grandiose. Also, downtown Hasparren will be the epicenter of the event. The area, from the Labourd car park to the heart of the city, will be pedestrianized throughout the day. Among other activities along the route, an Olympic village will be set up in the Labourd car park, with initiations, games and challenges for children in the afternoon.

Orthez, departure at 3:14 p.m.

On Monday May 20, between 3:14 p.m. and 4:04 p.m., the Olympic flame will pass through the town of Orthez. It will be carried by around fifteen torchbearers, including Guy Amalfitano and Lilou Bellegarde, in a convoy one kilometer long.

Departing from the Henri-Cazenave municipal stadium, the torch will reach the city center via Lapeyrère and Saint-Gilles streets. It will then follow the public garden via rue Xavier-Darget in front of the hospital, before entering the heart of the city via rue Jeanne-d’Albret. Arriving at the bottom of Foirail, the convoy will turn off into Rue des Capucins, go down towards La Poustelle, pass behind the Saint-Pierre church, then in front of La Moutète. After passing through the Pont-Vieux, the flame will reach the Place d’Armes for an arrival on the steps of the town hall.

Arette, departure at 4:20 p.m.

Welcome to the little Pyrenean thumb of this passage of the Olympic flame. In Arette, in the Barétous valley, the start is scheduled for 4:20 p.m. The fire will start from the Arette pediment and pass through the town hall, the church and the campsite, ending at 4:40 p.m. on the Nelson-Paillou space, where the sports complex is located.

Before that, the festivities will be divided into two parts. In the morning from 10 a.m. to noon, at the fronton, activities will be dedicated to Béarnaise culture: songs, dances and games. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the second part will be focused on sport, in the Nelson Paillou space.

Pau, departure at 5:34 p.m.

Two hours and about eight kilometers to go. Around forty torchbearers are expected in Pau on May 20, 2024 to pass the Olympic flame. The royal city is the last of the eight towns in the department to welcome the Olympic torch.

The start will be at 5:34 p.m. from the whitewater stadium. The flame will take Avenue Gaston-Lacoste, Jean-Biray, and will go up Rue Marca to the Château de Pau. The Olympic fire will pass in front of the Saint-Martin church before turning to join the Boulevard des Pyrénées. A detour on rue Louis-Barthou to Les Halles, and the flame will end its journey at the mirror of the Palais Beaumont via Cours Bosquet. Estimated arrival time: 7:20 p.m.