Historic ship carrying Olympic flame arrives off coast of Marseille

After 12 days at sea following its departure from Greece, the Olympic flame arrives off the coast of Marseille on Wednesday onboard the 19th-century French tall ship the Belem. The transfer of the flame onshore from a 19th-century tall ship marks the start of a 12,000-kilometre torch relay across mainland France and the country's far-flung overseas territories.

Over 1,000 other boats will accompany the Belem's approach to the harbor and organizers expect around 150,000 people to witness the flame come ashore in the revamped Marseille marina, which will host the sailing events during the Olympics.