An archetypal Olympic destination, Seine-et-Marne also attracts visitors with its mosaic of landscapes and its rich heritage. This département is a winning combination of natural oases of tranquillity and vibrant historic towns. For those with a taste for culture, castles and châteaux dot the landscape. 

The Torch set off from the National Defence Sports Centre in Fontainebleau and made its way to the town's famous château, a former royal residence, and its park, recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. In Pontault-Combault,  it went from the town hall to the Roger Boisramé space. As the clock ticked towards noon, Lagny-sur-Marne and Torcy welcomed the torch with great fanfare. 

In Melun, the procession began in Place d'Armes, passing by the towering three-storey bell tower of St Bartholomew and the Prefecture of Seine-et-Marne building, before ending its visit at the Pont Jeanne d'Arc. The next stop was Vaires-sur-Marne, whose Nautical Stadium will host the Para Rowing and Para Canoe Kayak events at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, was highlighted. 

In Provins, the Relay started at the Tour César, a symbol of the city's medieval splendour. The Olympic Torch then lit up St Cyriac's Church, the Porte de Jouy and the town walls before heading to Meaux. From the Museum of the Great War, the torch crossed the River Marne via the Pont de Jean Bureau and the Pont de Foch before arriving at the celebration site near the Georges Tauziet stadium. 

After Font-Romeu on 15 May, Fontainebleau hosted the second team relay organised by the French Modern Pentathlon Federation. This moment brought to life the legend of a young French cavalry officer who had to deliver a message on horseback. To fulfil his mission, he is said to have ridden, fought with a sword, shot with a rifle, swum and run, thus giving birth to the modern pentathlon, which combines these five disciplines. 

23 participants joined Blandine Lachèze, a former pentathlete and bronze medallist in the relay at the 2004 World Championships in Moscow, to tell this story. Among them were Gauthier Jedrzejewski, who has been a member of the Noyon Modern Pentathlon for 10 years, and Jérôme Jolly, president of the CSA-CNSD Fontainebleau Modern Pentathlon Club. Also present were Aline Penas, a member of the Rambouillet Sports Pentathlon Moderne organisation and the future champion Alixane Wuiot. 

The crowds cheered the famous athletes along the Torch route. Chloé Rudkiewicz, the only show jumper in the French military team, opened the event in Fontainebleau. In the afternoon, Laurine Desfosses, a Para swimmer who has won silver in several swimming events at the French championships, including the 100m breaststroke and 100m butterfly, carried the torch in Chelles. 

Youssef Hocine, team foil silver medallist at the 1987 World Championships in Lausanne and individual foil bronze medallist at the 1991 World Championships in Budapest, was present in Melun. Guy Drut, an Olympic silver medallist in the 110m hurdles at Munich 1972 and current IOC member, opened the final leg in Meaux. Ramy Aggoun, world champion in Kidz Breaking 2019, Margot Boulet, Paralympic bronze medallist in Para-rowing in Tokyo, and Julie Lenglet, two-time world champion in Thai boxing, also took part in the celebrations. 

At the Vaires-sur-Marne Olympic Nautical Stadium, legendary kayakers and canoeists enjoyed the fabulous playground offered by this new Olympic venue. Among them were Benoît Peschier, kayak slalom gold medallist at Athens 2004 and team world champion in 2005, and Émilie Fer, canoe slalom Olympic champion at London 2012 and world champion in Prague the following year. 

Jean Zoungrana, the president of the French Canoe and Kayak Federation, was also part of the group, as were Jean Laudet, Olympic champion in Helsinki 1952 in the C2 canoe sprint, and Christine Gossé, bronze medallist in the coxless pair rowing at Atlanta with her teammate Hélène Cortin and a two-time world champion in rowing. They were joined by Sylvain Curinier, a silver medallist at the Barcelona Games who has gone on to coach some of the sport's greatest talents. 

Visitors also clapped for celebrities such as YouTuber and comedian Malcolm TotheWorld, as well as Just Riadh, who has over seven million TikTok followers, and contemporary artist Jordane Saget, whose work adorns the streets of Paris. 

Ordinary people with inspiring stories also joined in the celebrations. Rémy Boyer, a torchbearer in Fontainebleau, organised the Lieusaint 'Olympics'. A volunteer at the Rio Games, he carried the French delegation's flag after Teddy Riner at the opening ceremony. In Torcy, there was Baba Ahmed Ould Kher, an educator who promotes sport as an educational tool. The 57-year-old has taken part in the last two Paris half-marathons, winning a medal each time. Delphine Lau has also carried the Torch. 

This businesswoman has quite a story to tell. Badly burned at the age of 5, she now runs an innovative and sustainable furniture brand. Jocelyne Busson, who shared her knowledge and left her mark on several generations of students over 35 years, had the honour of lighting the cauldron. Through her initiatives, she has taught the basics while broadening her students' perspectives on the world around them.