The Olympic flame will arrive in France aboard the Belem on May 8. The famous three-masted ship will hold a parade in the port of Marseille. The organisers, including the City of Marseille, the Paris 2024 committee, the Alps of Southern Provence, the Côte d’Azur Region and the Maritime Prefecture of the Mediterranean have unveiled the organisation plan for Monday’s day. They have fixed their attractions in the big picture, as 1,024 boats will be able to accompany the sailboat before its entry into the Old Port. “Normally, the arrival of the flame takes place in a confidential place, on the tarmac of an airport,” said Michaël Alosio, spokesman for the Paris 2024 committee. It is an unprecedented opportunity to which the other Marseillais will have access. under safe conditions.
This grand parade will be open to all, upon registration. Boat owners will have to access an online platform that has just opened. It will remain available until 15 days before the event, subject to availability. Registrations will be subject to validation through the parade organizing committee. Motorized, rigid or semi-rigid boats will not be able to participate (see photo below). On this day, only registered vessels will circulate in a demarcated area.
The regulation is subject to updating and can be consulted in real time on the website of the Maritime Prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône. For the time being, boats not registered for the parade will be prohibited from circulating between 9:00 and 03:30. pm in the north roadstead and from 10 a. m. to 3. 30 p. m. in the south roadstead and in Anse des Catalans. Swimming more than three hundred meters from the coast is also regulated. Marseille’s ports will also be closed at other times of the day. For the organisers, it’s all about ensuring everyone’s safety. “With so many ships in the same place, the risk of injury increases considerably,” says Gilles Boidevezi, maritime prefect of the Mediterranean. Because, in addition to the big parade, many water activities are organized during the day.
On the program, Provençal jousts on the beach of Corbières from 11 a. m. to 12 p. m. , initiation to sailing, rowing or classic rowing. These workshops are open to all upon registration. In the event of bad weather, they would possibly be cancelled. The next day, the flame will cross the city (see article La Marseillaise) in a giant relay available to the public.