The Olympic Torch Relay in Vendée
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are a major event in France. In the run-up to this international event, the Olympic Torch Relay is another highlight. The Vendée will have the honour of seeing the Olympic Flame pass through its region on Tuesday 4th June 2024! So, let’s take a closer look at where the Olympic Torch will pass through, as well as the Vendean torchbearers.
The Vendée, the undisputed land of sport
The Vendée and many major sporting events have always gone hand in hand. Whether it's hosting the Grand Départ of the Tour de France, the Vendée Globe in Les Sables d' Olonne or even the Tennis Open at Vendespace, the region has always promoted sport and its values: surpassing oneself, hard work, discipline, but above all, celebrating and putting on a good show!
The Olympic Flame is a symbolic moment, a major sporting celebration and one that extends far beyond the world of sport. Seeing the Flame pass through the Vendée is an experience not to be missed. The Flame, an emblem of the Olympic Games, is sure to inspire young people in the Vendée, to take up sport! In 2024, the Vendée Globe, the Floralies Internationales France and the Olympic Torch Relay will form a trio of major events.
There are 21 venues listed as preparation centres for the Olympic Games 2024 in the Vendée. For example, the French women's basketball team has chosen Vendespace to practice their routines during the competition. The Haras des Presnes in Saint-Gervais will host the competition riders.
The Olympic Torch will travel through the Vendée and its major towns
Departing from Marseille, La Flamme Olympique will cover 64 French regions and more than 400 towns, including 7 must-see sites in the Vendée! These are the main population centres and the region’s most emblematic tourist attractions. Below are the 7 legs of the Olympic Torch Relay in the Vendée:
- La Roche sur Yon, main town of the region, used to sporting events with the Vendespace and its stud farm.
- Montaigu-Vendée, host of the Mondial de Montaigu
- Fontenay le Comte, the former capital of the county and a town with a rich heritage.
- Les Sables d'Olonne, one of the most beautiful bays in the world and home of the Vendée Globe
- La Passage du Gois, the legendary submersible route linking the region to the island of Noirmoutier
- Le Puy du Fou, the Best Theme Park in the world
- La Pointe d'Arcay: biological reserve and real treasure of the southern Vendée
The Olympic Torch Relay 2024 in the Vendée - Who will be the Vendean Torchbearers?
Six people will be carrying the torch during the Olympic Torch Relay in the Vendée. They are top-level sportsmen and women, both former and current, as well as volunteers who are strongly committed to sport in the region:
- Jean René Bernaudeau: manager of the TotalEnergies Vendée cycling team
- David Bossard: SNSM volunteer and survivor of the Sables d'Olonne shipwreck in 2019
- Emma Louineau: ranked 6th in the world for MBT trials
- Françoise Amiaud: former top-level basketball player
- Michel Allemand: former president of Mondial football Montaigu
- Bernard Martineau: former president of the Tour de Vendée cycling race
On 4th June, sailing will be honoured during the final leg of the Olympic flame relay in Les Sables d'Olonne, with double Olympic sailing medallist Charline Picon leading the collective relay!
The Paralympic Flame relay in the Vendée
The Paralympic Flame will be passing through the Vendée on 25th August in La Roche sur Yon. Three emblematic figures from the region will be carrying the flame: Fabrice Dubois (international handikart driver), Flavie Caiveau (adapted table tennis player) and Ludovic Ponthereau (volunteer at many of the town's sporting events).