In France, rugby stadiums are where architectural genius intertwines with sporting spirit to create a unique atmosphere that mesmerizes everyone in the stands. With their unique atmosphere and historical significance, these stadiums play a key role in rugby. Let’s take a closer look at the most famous rugby stadiums in France and their main features.
Stade de France: The National Jewel
- Location: Saint-Denis, Paris
- Capacity: 81,338
- Home Teams: French National Team
France’s national stadium, the Stade de France, is the jewel of French sports venues. It hosted the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final and the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final, demonstrating its versatility and world-class facilities. The design of the stadium is reminiscent of a medieval fortress, which gives the matches held here a certain spirit of chivalric rivalry and honor.
Stade Toulousain: The Fortress of Toulouse
- Location: Toulouse
- Capacity: 33,150
- Home Team: Stade Toulousain
The Stade Toulouse, also known as the Stade Ernest-Vallon, is located in the heart of Toulouse and is also the center of sporting life in the region. The design of the stadium can be intimidating for visiting teams, which provides invaluable support for the home team. The rich history of Stade Toulousain and its many victories can be felt in the air, making it a sacred place for rugby fans.
Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin: The Cauldron of Clermont
- Location: Clermont-Ferrand
- Capacity: 19,022
- Home Team: ASM Clermont Auvergne
From its construction in 1911 to the present day, the stadium has undergone many changes. Between 1984 and 1988 it was even used as a soccer stadium.
In the summer of 2013, the club laid kilometers of electric heating cables at a depth of 25 cm under its playing field, making ASM Clermont-Ferrand the first Top 14 club in France with a heated pitch.
Stade Mayol: The Mediterranean Marvel
- Location: Toulon
- Capacity: 18,200
- Home Team: RC Toulon
The stadium is named after Félix Mayol, a very popular singer from Toulon, who was successful in Paris in the early 20th century. He bought a plot of land for the club on which the stadium was built. It was inaugurated on March 28, 1920, by the mayor of Toulon and Felix Mayol himself.
The atmosphere at Toulon is famous for a special chant called Pilou pilou, created in the late 1940s by club player Marcel Baudrero, which describes the Toulon players as terrible primitive warriors descending from the mountain to the sea (which is exactly what Toulon’s terrain is like).
Temples of the Game
These stadiums are a true legacy of the rugby era, which is experiencing a second birth in front of our eyes. They have witnessed the highs and lows of the game, hosting legendary matches that have defined the history of the sport in France.
What makes all these stadiums special is the careful care taken by owners and fans to preserve the original spirit of the game. However, at the same time, this does not prevent the stadium from being equipped with the latest technology, allowing online broadcasts, heated turf on the field and satisfy any needs and whims of visitors.