Olympic Torch Relay: Follow the flame around France’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

All eyes might be on Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games, but in the lead up to tonight’s grand opening ceremony (26 July), the entirety of France has been represented as the Olympic torch has been passed through the country, even travelling to overseas territories. Along the way, the flame has also passed more than 30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here, we select a few of our favourites that had their moment in the (torch) light.

Date visited by the Olympic torch: 16 May

Perching on a rocky outcrop in the region of Occitanie, the citadel of Carcassonne has history of being a fortified settlement dating back to the pre-Roman period, with examples of 1,000 year old military architecture throughout. Overlooking the River Aude, the Medieval walls encompass 12^th-century Château Comtal – now a museum – and 13^th-century Carcassonne Cathedral, built in Languedoc Gothic style. Visitors can also join guided walking tours to learn more about the preserved watchtowers and ramparts dotted around the historic town.

Date visited by the Olympic torch: 31 May

This tidal island lying on the sands of Normandy’s coastline, close to the Brittany border, is one of France’s most iconic monuments outside of the capital. Mont-Saint-Michel has been an important Christian pilgrimage site since the 8^th century. The Benedictine abbey was officially founded in 966, with further buildings added during the Middle Ages. Today, some of the village streets surrounding the abbey contain museums and restaurants for visitors. There’s a bridge that crosses to the island from the mainland, which can be used even at high tide.

Date visited by the Olympic torch: 17 June

It’s not only mainland France being highlighted on the tour. The French Department of Martinique can be found across the Atlantic Ocean in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles. This natural landscape has been shaped by volcanic activity over thousands of years. It’s highest peak, Mount Pelée, last erupted in the year 1902 – and is sadly known as one of the deadliest eruptions of the 20^th century. However, the volcano it is now classed as dormant, and can be explored on foot on one of the marked hiking trails surrounding it. More than 40% of the island is also made up of rainforests – also recognised under its UNESCO-listing – which is home to endemic species such as the Martinique Volcano Frog.

Date visited by the Olympic torch: 26 June

Strasbourg may be the capital of France’s Grand Est region, but the feeling in its historic centre has a distinct Germanic influence. Practically straddling the border between both countries, this hardly comes as a surprise, but it makes for combination unique to Strasbourg. Its UNESCO-listed The Grande-Île (large island) can be found in the historic centre with its fairytale half-timbered houses and its cathedral being a fine example of Rayonnant Gothic architecture. Neustadt (new town) was added to the UNESCO listing in 2017: the urban extension mostly took place in the late 19^th century and includes several architectural styles, from Baroque Revival and Renaissance Revival to Art Nouveau.

Date visited by the Olympic torch: 30 June

Also in the northeastern Grand Est, Reims is known as the capital of the Champagne wine-region, with many cellars in the city providing tours and tastings to visitors. Beyond the wine, its UNESCO-listed Cathedral of Notre-Dame gives the capital’s cathedral a run for its money. It may be around 50 years younger, with its building completed in the 14^th century, but it is larger in scale and is widely considered as one of France’s greatest examples of Gothic architecture. Adjoined to the cathedral is the Palace of Tau, the former home the archbishop and temporary residence of the kings during their coronation at the cathedral. Within walking distance is the Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi, founded in the 8^th century by a Benedictine community of monks. The architecture is mostly from the 18^th century, and today houses a museum of archaeology and art.

Date visited by the Olympic torch: 3 July

Travelling further north still, the Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin stretches 120km across the department of Nord and Pas-de-Calais and incorporates more than 100 separate components. This UNESCO World Heritage Site tells the story of France’s more recent history, with the landscape shaped across three centuries (1700s-1900s) of coal extraction. Visitors can walk in the miners’ footsteps and discover industrial buildings, dwellings and slag heaps that have been carefully preserved. Key stops include Arenberg Pit in Waller, one the best kept examples of a mine, and Mining History Centre in Lewarde, one of the largest mining museums in Europe.

Date visited by the Olympic torch: 8/10 July

Carving its way through central France is the 280km-long Loire River. This particular stretch between the communes of Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes is recognised by UNESCO for its cultural landscape formed by a long relationship with the river. Tucked between the meandering water are centuries-old settlements that live on today as villages, towns and architectural monuments. The Châteaux of the Loire Valley some of the most beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture in France, with the towns of Blois and Orléans being the main towns visited by the Olympic flame.

To continue following the Olympic Torch relay, go to olympics.com