The Olympic Torch in Paris on July 15 was "a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle"

What better way to start the week than by watching the Olympic flame pass through Paris' streets? On July 15th, it made its way through one of the capital's most picturesque places: Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur! 40 minutes before the flame was due to pass, a few dozen people were already waiting at the foot of the steps in front of the building, adorned with an Olympic fresco. The atmosphere was calm, with people stretching and chatting about their weekend.

Théa, aged 4, was sitting patiently by her parents' feet. In her small hands, she firmly held an Olympic flame made from red and white sheets of paper. "All year long, they've been talking about the Olympics at school. Our family trip to Paris coincided with the flame relay, so we took the opportunity to come here! With the whole of Paris on our right and the Sacré-Cœur on our left, it's hard to imagine a better place to wait for the flame," smiled her mother, who came all the way from eastern France.

For her part, Lison wore an all-black running suit, taking advantage of her usual morning run between the 17th arrondissement and Montmartre to come and watch the torch relay. "I may be a little late for work, but I've got a good excuse: I went to see a spectacle you only see once in your life!" says the thirty year old.

Here, as in all the other emblematic sites of the flame’s passage, the show didn’t just come from the relay. The 30 dancers from the Murmuration company were ready to take over the steps to perform a choreography imagined by Sadeck Berrabah. A clamor went up and the first torchbearer appeared on the forecourt. It was actress Claudia Tagbo, whose torch wasn't lit yet: like the rest of the audience, she was waiting for the previous torchbearer to arrive.

The applause grew louder and louder as the Olympic torch drew closer to Claudia Tagbo. As the torches touched and ignited, the French actress descended the steps among the dancers. Just long enough to strike a pose, then harangue the crowd, she then passed between the two rows of spectators standing behind the barriers. With a big smile, she waved her hand before disappearing into the distance. Soon, all you could see was the flame.

“Who's carrying the flame, do you recognize him?” As the crowd massed in front of the Arc de Triomphe (8th), some spectators recognized the next torchbearer quicker than others. It was singer Amir, who finished (6th) at Eurovision in 2016! He was joined by Nina Métayer, voted best pastry chef in the world, after walking 200 meters or so along the Champs-Elysées. Other torchbearers patiently waiting their turn in the mini parade down the famous avenue.

It was a pleasant surprise for Camille, who had come all the way from Mexico with her two sons and husband. "We feel a bit privileged to be here," confided the young woman. "The timing is perfect, as we're only in Paris for two days. This is our only opportunity to take part in the Olympics, otherwise everything will be on television for us". Yesterday, she watched the traditional firework display and today she saw the Olympic torch: "We feel like we're reliving a mini 14th July celebrations thanks to the torch relay. It's impressive seeing the logistics surrounding the event".

Not far away, Christiane, who has come from elsewhere in France, appreciated the moment: "It's magnificent. Yesterday, we were near the Eiffel Tower, and today we're seeing the flame. I hope that our French athletes will soon be able to bring us back some medals!" 11.20am: the flame procession returned to the Arc de Triomphe roundabout. Off to the west and south of Paris for the next part of its journey!

After an iconic passage through the Trocadero forecourt, the flame heads for the Place de la Catalogne (14th arrondissement). "Wow! It's crazy, look!", shouts a child in the crowd. It isn't the flame that provokes his reaction, but an acrobat perched on his slackline 20 meters above the ground. The demonstration by the Parislack association was impressive to say the least, as the line was stretched from one end of the square to the other, above the 270 trees that now populate this urban forest.

The crowds were out in droves, and some even packed their camping seats to wait it out. Others, tried their hand at slack lining on a lower line, staying 30 centimeters off the ground which was quite a challenge.

At 3pm though, the atmosphere kicked up a notch. The Paris 2024 Games partners set the mood with music before a bus dropped off the relay runners! Arthur Le Comte du Colombier, a visually impaired Parisian who runs track and field with the JAM club ( 14th arrondissement), picked up the torch with his teammate Gwendoline Michelet.

Serge and his colleagues arrived over an hour earlier to make sure they didn't miss a thing. As he left the square, he explained: “It went by quickly, but not quickly as the Tour de France! There was a lot of stuff to keep us occupied, and it was a nice occasion. It was worthwhile, as I had never seen the flame before, and I might not have the chance to see it again!”

The same atmosphere was to be found an hour later near the rue de la Butte aux cailles (13th arrondissement). "It's great fun," says Marie-Thérèse, who lives nearby. "Seeing the torch relay is an important event for local children". She came with her grandson, Gabin. Their neighbors are watching the arrival of the flame on live TV from… their cell phones. "It's on boulevard Auguste-Blanqui, it's coming!", adds another neighbor.

The first torchbearer arrived - clad in the white kit that has become synonymous with the relay - surrounded by fans and photographers alike. The torch was even touched and kissed by a nearby spectator! Soon, the second torch was carried by a young woman to the rue de la Butte aux Cailles, to the "bravos" and "merci" of onlookers. A jubilant atmosphere worthy of the Tour de France! Passers-by surround the two torchbearers and their torches in a joyful rush. One or two minutes later, the torch was already off to its next destination in the capital.

"It was great, says Gabin, the relay, the flame, I loved it all!". Clémence, who had come to admire the flame from close by, was equally delighted: "It went by quickly, but it was very moving. We really got into Olympic Games atmosphere all of a sudden!"

After a final loop through the Port de l'Arsenal (12th arrondissement), Place Léon Blum (11th arrondissement) and Rue de Belleville (19th arrondissement), the flame then ended its Parisian journey at Place de la République in time for a festive evening. The flame will return to the capital for the opening ceremony on Friday 26th July.