Passage of the Olympic flame through Mont-Saint-Michel: Everything you need to know

It is Friday the 31st. May 2024 that the Olympic flame passes through the department. In the morning in Cherbourg, it goes down the entire canal to end the journey at Mont-Saint-Michel.

For the occasion, the organizers expect a large attendance of “between 40,000 and 50,000 people”.

As for the passing of the flame, the convoy is scheduled to arrive at 18.00. The first torchbearer leaves at 18:20 and arrives at the foot of Mont-Saint-Michel at 18:45. He then goes to the top of the monastery. The flame then descends to the foot of the mountain at 19:15 for the cycling relay responsible for lighting the cauldron at 19:30.

Symbolic bearers

Among the torchbearers are some well-known names such as the cyclist Guillaume Martin, the speaker Daniel Mangeas and the sports shooter Éric Delaunay. There are also personalities rooted behind the scenes of local sports such as Christine Alix or Tanguy David.

Finally, people associated with Mont-Saint-Michel such as Romain Desguée, responsible for the dam, have the honor of carrying the flame.

Sports activities

The flame convoy is expected from 18.00, but the festivities begin well in advance. Sports activities are offered all day from 10:00 to 18:00. Everything is spread over five centers with martial arts, racket sports, team sports and archery, water activities and finally a multi-sport facility. In all, no less than 25 sports clubs from Avranches, Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët, Sartilly and Pontorson oversee these activities.

Many shows

But the demonstration and discovery of Olympic and Paralympic sports are not the only activities. “The Olympic Games are a state of mind, not just sporting events,” the organizers remind. So for this, a whole part of the day revolves around cultural activities that will take visitors until the end of the night. In fact, the program ends with a DJ set from 11pm to 2am at the foot of Mont.

Before big shows are held. This is the case with the one offered by Envol, which combines high-level athletes, circus performers and musicians. Precey and Pontorson schools also put on a show. In total, there are twelve events spread over the whole day for performances that last between 20 and 45 minutes. Note that eight of these shows are played two or three times a day. Enough to be sure not to miss it.

On the monastery side, it opens from 09:00 to 15:00 before closing due to the blaze. It is available again from 20.00 to 23.30 with a last entry that can be made at 10.30 p.m. As for the village, access is prohibited between 18:00 and 19:30.

Some recommendations

To make the most of the day, the organizers have shared some tips. To see the flame, you should come as early as possible. “Ideally, you should settle down at some point from 5:30 p.m.,” confirms Thomas Velter, general manager of the Mont-Saint-Michel public establishment. The ideal vantage point is the dam. Seeing the passage of the flame, on the other hand, should not be particularly optimal from the village.

When it comes to waste, there are not containers everywhere, so the plant managers are calling for eco-citizenship. “It is better if visitors can leave with their waste,” they confide.

Regarding meals, restaurants in the village and at the barracks are open. A picnic is also possible at the dam.

It is strongly recommended to come in sports clothes. Although there is no obligation to participate in sports events, you must take into account that the shuttle service is canceled during the day. “It can be reset at the end of the day, but only if the crowds are no longer excessive,” specifies Thomas Velter.

The event promises to be big with this flame, and the venues are ready to welcome everyone. “Welcoming the public is the DNA of Mont-Saint-Michel,” recalls Jacques Bono, the mayor. But if tourists come from all over the world, the entertainment this time mainly concerns the locals. “The event is primarily intended for the Manchois. This should allow them to reclaim Mont-Saint-Michel,”

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