The Essonne is as a land of promise, with first-class public facilities, renowned cultural events and a vibrant community life. It is also a sporting powerhouse, with over 300,000 licence holders and more than 2,700 clubs. It also attracts visitors with its dynamic urban areas and peaceful countryside. 

On Monday, the Olympic Torch lit up the whole of the Essonne. The journey began in the ancient royal Étampes, a city with 26 listed monuments and the tittle of 'City of Art and History'. It then discovered the leisure island of Étampes, an outdoor base popular with the people of the Ile-de-France. The next stop was Chamarande, home to the largest public garden in Essonne. The Olympic Torch then lit up Palaiseau's town hall before heading to Massy via the Parc de la Tuilerie and its opera house. 

It was then off to Marcoussis, home of the National Rugby Centre, the headquarters of the French national teams, before marching on to the Pierre Camou stadium. Next stop was Draveil for a river cruise on the Seine, and back on dry land, it swung past the church of St Remigius before speeding down the Avenue Henri Barbusse, passing through Vigneux-sur-Seine and visiting Montgeron. In Dourdan, the Torch ventured into the 13th century castle. 

The day ended in Évry-Courcouronnes, which has won awards for its contemporary architecture. It passed the Genopole incubator and the Place des Droits de l'Homme before heading to the Robert Bobin stadium, the sixth largest in Île-de-France. At the heart of the National Rugby Centre in Marcoussis, home of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and training base for the national team, a team relay organised by the FFR and led by Jean-Charles Mascetti, a stalwart of the Île-de-France Regional League, took place.

He was joined by referee Doriane Domenjo, coach Anne Dessagne, rugby sevens player Lina Guerin and former international star Jessy Trémoulière. Frédéric Pomarel, the women's national coach, and Julien Pierre, a former France international who now works on environmental issues, were also present. 

Henri Estirac, the former dresser for the national team, and Sebastien Lapasset, a sports technical consultant, were also present, as was Daniel Sangouma, a bronze medallist in  Seoul in 1988 who broke the world record in the 4x100m in 1990. The Olympic spirit burned brightly in the Essonne as many Torchbearers carried the Torch on Monday, such as the world freestyle basketball world champion Brice 'Brisco' Coyere, who shares his passion with more than 150,000 followers on social media. 

The Torch was also carried by TV presenter Ophélie Meunier, the renowned sculptor Richard Orlinski - famous for his colourful creations - and Nathalie Smirnov, Director General of the French Red Cross. The stage also showcased the sporting talents of local clubs. The honour of lighting the cauldron fell to Ladji Doucouré, an athlete who has thrilled French fans with his 110m hurdles, won the 2005 World Championships and has competed in three Olympic Games: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. 

Aurélie Bacelon, a baseball player, coach and club secretary, was joined by swimmers Marie-Océane Colombani and Benjamin Yonnet, the adapted tennis specialist Maelys Feve, the footballer Suat Yildiz and Rémy Beauvais, chairman of the Amboise handball club. The crowd was also delighted to see also the black belt judoka Maxence Castagnol and two-time French traditional kung fu champion Zhexi Christophe among the Torchbearers.