(dpa) - Some 3,000 police officers will be deployed on the ground, in the air and even on the Seine River Monday as the Olympic torch passes through Paris, French media reported.
After its tumultuous passage through London on Sunday, where at least 30 protestors were arrested, the torch is expected to be the focus of more anti-Chinese protests in the French capital.
Its 28-km route through Paris begins at the Eiffel Tower shortly after noon local time and includes many of the city's best-known sites, including the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees.
In addition to the heavy police deployment, the torch itself will be accompanied by a protective perimeter consisting of 65 police officers on motorcycle, another 100 on roller blades and at least 100 fire-fighters on foot.
Another 160 police officers in cars will follow the torch bearer on his or her route through the city.
The media rights group Reporters Without Borders has promised to carry out protests that will be "symbolic, spectacular ... but respectful of the Games."
The group was at the heart of pro-Tibetan protests at the torch-lighting ceremony in Greece and has called for an international boycott of the August 8 opening ceremonies in Beijing.
Both French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner have both said that "all options are open" regarding a possible boycott of the ceremonies.
Tibetan nationals living in France have organized a "citizen's day of solidarity" at the Square of Human Rights not far from the Eiffel Tower to protest the Chinese crackdown on Tibetan pro-independence demonstrations.
Paris is the final European stop for the torch, which will then be transported to the American continent for appearances in San Francisco on Wednesday and Buenos Aires on Friday.