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Why didn't the basin finally take off yesterday?

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The Editor

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This Sunday, June 21, the Olympic flame was set to rise in the sky above the capital for the third consecutive summer. However, many were surprised to see the Tuileries Garden unusually calm on this scorching Music Day. So, what happened? And when will it take off to kick off the 2026 season?

On July 26, 2024, the Olympic flame was lit for the very first time during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Since then, the president announced that it would make a comeback every summer until 2028 (the year of the handover for the Los Angeles Olympics), and this from the Music Festival (June 21) until the Sports Festival (September 14). However, this weekend, it remained on the ground. Luckily, it’s just a matter of time!


Conditions to be respected

This Sunday, June 21, while the Music Festival was making all of France come alive...

> despite a record heatwave, a decision has been made to cancel the first flight of the year for the basin. While this measure is backed by meteorological reasons, it’s actually not the heatwave that’s to blame. Throughout the day, the official site of this new Parisian symbol reported unfavorable conditions, and its designer, interviewed by Le Parisien, clarified that the decision was made due to the risk of gusts of wind! It’s a disappointment for all Parisians and tourists who were hoping to enjoy the lively evening with a stroll around the Tuileries.


A Return Starting Today

No need to panic, if the conditions are right, the Olympic cauldron should make its grand return this Monday, June 22. And for now, everything suggests that it will. Starting this evening, it will be visible every evening until mid-September. Until July 31, the area will close around 9:30 PM, with a launch scheduled for around 10:30 PM. These times will move one hour earlier in August, and then change to 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM for the first two weeks of September. Because yes, even though June 21 didn't see the cauldron take flight, it still marked the longest day of the year, and from today on, the days will start getting shorter!