In photos: The Olympic flame arrives in the French port of Marseille

Photography By Ellen Francis and Morgan Coates | May 8, 2024

The Olympic flame spent 12 days at sea and crossed the Mediterranean before arriving in the French port of Marseille on a three-mast ship. France is welcoming the torch on Wednesday with a day of pomp and ceremony to kick off the Paris 2024 Olympics season. Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty Images

The Olympic flame on the Belem as it sails near the coast of Marseille. Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images

The flame was lit in Greece last month among the ruins of Olympia, the ancient site of the first recorded Games. Manon Cruz/Reuters

Its Mediterranean odyssey ended in the south of France. Spectators flocked to the boardwalk to see the three-mast Belem, carrying the Olympic torch, parade around the Bay of Marseille accompanied by more than a thousand boats. Manon Cruz/Reuters

Spectators gathered in Marseille on Wednesday for the arrival of the Olympic flame. Manon Cruz/Reuters Manon Cruz/Reuters

The torch arrived on land before sunset. The welcoming ceremony, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, featured a concert and an air show by the Patrouille de France, the acrobatic unit of the French air force. Manon Cruz/Reuters

The Olympic rings emblazoned on a container ship at sea. Benoit Tessier/Reuters Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Security has been at the top of the agenda for French authorities ahead of the torch’s arrival in Marseille, France’s second-largest city. Thousands of police and security forces were stationed around the harbor — and on boats. Tens of thousands of people were expected for Wednesday’s festivities. Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Some didn’t come to join the celebration. Protesters gathered in Marseille held anti-Olympics signs with messages such as: “Olympic Games for the Rich.” French authorities have been eager to keep a range of grievances, including from labor unions, at bay to avoid disruptions to the Olympic and Paralymic Games in July and August. Benoit Tessier/Reuters

A protester carries an anti-Olympics sign in Marseille on Wednesday. Benoit Tessier/Reuters Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan said he was proud of the city, where the torch relay begins. Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Then torchbearers will carry the flame across mainland France and overseas French territories, including stops at the beaches of Normandy and the Palace of Versailles, before it reaches Paris for the Summer Olympics’ Opening Ceremonies on July 26 . Manon Cruz/Reuters

Spectators watch the three-mast ship carrying the Olympic torch as it approaches Marseille. Thibault Camus/AP Thibault Camus/AP

People await the arrival of the Belem ship, carrying the Olympic flame, in Marseille. Thibault Camus/AP Thibault Camus/AP

The French Air Force elite acrobatic flyover near Fort Saint-Jean. Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty Images Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty Images

Crowds watch as the ship arrives. Laurent Cipriani/AP Laurent Cipriani/AP

Fireworks go off as the ship sails into the old port. Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty Images Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty Images

Spectators gather to see the ship arrival ceremony in Marseille. Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images

Fireworks burst during the arrival ceremony. Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images

The ship arrives as fireworks go off. Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images

A view of the French Air Force team's aerobatics. Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images

Smoke from the aerial demonstration team fills the air as the ship comes into port. Thibault Camus/AP Thibault Camus/AP

People watch the torch arrival ceremony. Ludovic Marin/AP Ludovic Marin/AP

French swimmer Florent Manaudou holds the Olympic flame as the first torch bearer. Ludovic Marin/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Ludovic Marin/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

French athlete Nantenin Keïta, center, holds the torch while flanked by to rapper Julien Mari, a.k.a. Jul, right, and Manaudou during the ceremony. Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images

Mari lights the Olympic and Paralympic torch relays cauldron. Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images

Mari gestures while holding the Olympic torch during the lighting ceremony in Marseille. Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images

Spectators attend the Olympic flame ceremony at the old port. Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images

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