Olympic torch reaches Paris in elegant style

PARIS – Before an enthusiastic crowd on Avenue des Champs-Elysees, the grand boulevard of the French capital, the Olympic torch arrived in Paris on July 14 in a luxury Louis Vuitton suitcase, 12 days before the opening of the Games.

The custom-made suitcase stood for some time on a pedestal in the middle of the Rond-Point des Champs-Elysees, a major intersection, looking a little lonely. It was then opened and the torch handed to Thierry Henry, one of the greats of French football.

As cheers rose from the crowd, Henry set off at a slow jog, bearing the now-lit torch towards the nearby Place de la Concorde. It is closed, like much of Paris, to accommodate Olympic events.

Since the flame arrived in France on May 8, welcomed in the ancient port city of Marseille, it has been on a far-flung journey, including to Martinique, Guadeloupe, Reunion and other overseas French departments.

The flame will be in Paris for two days, criss-crossing the city in the hands of 540 torch-bearers to the Sorbonne, the Pantheon, the Louvre and other Paris landmarks. Paris is the epicentre of the Games, which open on July 26.

The idea of the flame’s long relay was to bring all of France and the Francophone world together in a joyous celebration of the first Olympic Games held in Paris for a century. Instead, France has endured a season of bitter division since the flame’s Marseille welcome, and the country finds itself at a chaotic political impasse.

President Emmanuel Macron chose to dissolve the National Assembly in June and call legislative elections. One week after the vote produced a parliament divided among left-wing, centrist and right-wing blocs, none with an absolute majority, no agreement on a governing coalition has been reached.

France finds itself in limbo, with a caretaker government, a situation that may now last through the Games.

The torch was carried on July 14 past the vacant National Assembly – the new parliament has not convened yet – by Jean Turco, who at the age of 106 is the oldest former lawmaker in France.

“It’s not a great atmosphere, it’s not an easy context, which is a shame,” said Alexandra Baujard, a marketing manager, as she watched dancers covered in blue, white and red paint performing in the main courtyard of the Palais Bourbon, home to the National Assembly. “We’ve had better times.”

Some Parisians are convinced it is best to flee, given the way the Olympics will complicate life. Others are excited at the prospect of an event whose imminence was brought home on July 14.

“I’m staying in Paris especially for this,” said Raphaelle Grifone, a university lecturer. “The Olympics beautify the city and bring a feeling of joy.” NYTIMES