23 days before the Opening Ceremony, this stage was a dress rehearsal for the department that will host the handball finals, for which tickets are still available. The French Handball Federation organised a Team Relay in the heart of Lille in anticipation of the event, and the 181 torchbearers included international footballer Raphaël Varane, Miss France winner Ève Gilles, cellist Renaud Capuçon and actor Dany Boon, who lit the cauldron in Lille. 

After another day's rest, the torch resumed its journey in front of thousands of spectators. From the dunes of Flanders to the farmlands of the Avesnois, the department offers a mosaic of landscapes - from beaches to historical and cultural sites - that never cease to amaze visitors. Its warm and welcoming inhabitants add a heartwarming touch to the experience. 

Nord is also a sporting centre. It has a vibrant sporting scene, with top clubs and amateur clubs, including many people who practise adapted sports. The department has been awarded the well-deserved "Terre de Jeux" label in recognition of the territorial coverage of its sports infrastructure. 

The Olympic Torch set off from Avesnes-sur-Helpe, famous for its impressive fortifications. It also passed the colossal 58-metre Dunkirk belfry and visited Wallers-Arenberg, a former mining town famous for the Trouée d'Arenberg, a cobbled sector where the Paris-Roubaix riders cross swords. 

In Roubaix, the "Hell of the North" takes centre stage. After passing through Cambrai and Tourcoing, the Torch visited the André Pétrieux velodrome. It then passed through Douai, including the Cercle d'escrime and the Pont de la Massue. Next up was Lille, France's tenth most populous city, known for its cultural dynamism and famous flea market. 

In Lille, the Olympic Torch passed through the European district, the headquarters of the European Metropolis and popular places such as the Place du Théâtre, the Grand'Place and the Rue Nationale. The day's festivities ended on the banks of the Deûle, on the Esplanade du Champs de Mars, where the celebration site had been set up. 

The team relay, organised by the French Handball Federation, took place in front of Lille-Flandres station. Less than a month before the Opening Ceremony, it was a nod to the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, where Lille will host the Olympic handball finals. Tickets are still available on the official Paris 2024 ticketing website. The French Handball Federation celebrated all forms of the sport during this team relay, including beach handball and wheelchair handball. 

The relay was captained by Benjamin Brun, a French international wheelchair handball player. He was accompanied by 23 enthusiasts: the referees Lidwine Caloin and Philippe Julien, the local coach Yoan Bustraen, the amateur player Marine Deputte and Jérôme Nouard, a member of the French deaf handball team.

A total of 181 Torchbearers took turns carrying the Torch, including many local children. Among them were well-known athletes such as Lille-born footballer and 2018 World Cup winner Raphaël Varane, volleyball player Barthélémy Chinenyeze and former handball player Bastien Lamon. Carima Louami, who took part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, five-time Paralympian Para-powerlifter Souhad Ghazouani and Lille Métropole rugby captain Laura Di Muzio were also present.

They were joined by renowned French cellist Gautier Capuçon and Gabrielle Williams, a member of the French national basketball team. The fans' favourites were the last two Torchbearers: Miss France 2024 winner, Ève Gilles from Dunkirk, and Dany Boon. The popular actor closed the day in Lille before lighting the cauldron. A golf enthusiast, he will also open the final day of the Olympic golf tournament on 4 August. 

The Relay also included unsung heroes, each with a story and a commitment that reflect the Olympic values. Among them were Charlotte Logiou, a sports doctor and sports enthusiast; Florian Nivet, a BMX racer since the age of 14; and Ahmed I Dihia, a coach and treasurer of his futsal club. 

A work of art by Marion Lescaut, an artist from Lille, was installed at the venue in her home city. The piece, made from sports equipment from a local recycling centre, depicted various sports with the Olympic Torch in the middle. This mix of sport and culture brought a message of virtue to the new generations.