Seven towns welcomed the Torch from Compiègne to Gerberoy. Archery took centre stage thanks to a Team Relay organised by the French Archery Federation and led by masters such as Lucien Courtillon and Philippe Bouclet with almost 130 torchbearers taking part. 

The Torch went on a nature walk on the doorstep of Île-de-France, soaking up the rich cultural heritage and pleasant living environment of the Oise. It began with a royal escapade in Compiègne, where it blazed past Saint James' Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before heading to the Château de Compiègne, an iconic centre of power of the Second French Empire alongside Versailles, Fontainebleau and Les Tuileries. 

The morning continued in Chiry-Ourscamp, where it crossed the River Oise to lit up the ruins of the abbey, a treasure of Gothic architecture. Next was Chantilly, with stops at the horse racecourse and the Horse Museum, before finishing at the Château de Chantilly, the brainchild of Henri d'Orléans.

Then it was off to Breteuil, where the route wound through the town centre, past St John The Baptist Church, Place Verdun and the Hippolyte Bayard House. In Creil, after a stop at the Marie Curie Sports Complex, the visit ended at the Roger Salengro Velodrome, a regional landmark built in 1934.

Gerberoy, renowned as one of France's most beautiful villages, welcomed the torch to its cobbled, flower-lined streets. From the mill in the old town, the torch made its way to the Place La Hire et Xaintrailles and the day ended in Beauvais, starting at the Maladrerie Saint-Lazare leper house and finishing at the MUDO - Oise Museum, before returning to the celebration venue at the Departmental Council building. 

On its arrival in Compiegne, the Olympic Torch was greeted by the French Archery Federation and the prestigious Arches de Compiègne club. With its state-of-the-art facilities, the club is recognised as an Olympic Games Preparation Centre and use to hosts national and international competitions. The Oise is home to 73 archery companies and has a long tradition in this discipline. 

23 archers gathered around captain Philippe Bouclet, president of the Archers de Compiegne club and former president of the French Archery Federation, for an exceptional Team Relay. Among them were enthusiasts, volunteers, referees and everyday athletes such as Nolwenn Samiez Marcy, who trains at the Oise training centre and hopes to join the development programme.

Lucien Courtillon, a bronze team Paralympic medallist at Seoul 1988 and vice-president of the Oise Parasports Departmental Committee, was also present. Local personalities such as Frédéric Nowaczkowski, who has been in the club for 44 years, represented the dedication of the volunteers. 

Nearly 130 Torchbearers carried the flame. Isabelle Vobaure, nominated by her daughter, who wanted to honour her mother's commitment to the Olympic Games despite her multiple sclerosis, had the privilege of opening the ceremony. Christophe Dessaint, whose family is steeped in archery, also waved to the crowd. The son and grandson of archers, he is living proof that the passion for archery is passed down like a family heirloom.  

Several sports stars also answered the call. In Chantilly, fans cheered on equestrian Nathalie Bizet, a para-athlete who has taken part in five Paralympic Games and won bronze in the team competition in Atlanta in 1996. Swimmer Stéphane Lecat also carried the Torch in Compiegne. A specialist in the 25-kilometre open water event, he won bronze at the 2001 World Championships after becoming European champion in Helsinki the year before.

After hanging up his goggles, he turned to coaching before becoming the director of the French national open water team. In Beauvais, London 2012 Olympian Justine Bruno took her turn with the Torch. Sophie Moressee-Pichot, a retired top pentathlete and member of the French fencing team who won gold in the team event with former French Sports Minister Laura Flessel, lit the cauldron at the end of the day. 

Athletes from all backgrounds and levels joined in the celebrations, as did dedicated amateurs who put their heart and soul into the sport. One of them was Ali Azdad, the 2015 Masters World Champion in team cross-country and a five-time medallist at the French Parasport Championships. Kevin Bourget, a judoka who captained and won the French team championship in 2018 with PSG Judo and Teddy Riner, also took part.   

Para-climber Jean Cheminade and Nicolas Manigot, a firefighter who excelled in shot-putting during his studies, were also present. Anseif Mdahoma, an amateur football referee, and Aurelie Lebrun Ginfray, a sports educator specialising in adapted physical education, also carried the Torch.