in memory of Jean Moineau, the first center forward in the history of the FC Nantes club

The ranking of the biggest stadiums in France

We might as well say it right away, the biggest stadiums in France are above all stadiums mainly dedicated to soccer. Here is the list of the biggest stadiums in France.

1. The Stade de France, Saint-Denis

It was built in 1997 for the World Cup 98. The Stade de France is the largest stadium in France. The stadium can accommodate 81 338 spectators in its maximum configuration.

Avenue : Jules Rimet, 93 200 Seine-Saint-Denis

2. The Velodrome Stadium, Marseille

It was built between 1935 and 1937 and expanded several times. The total capacity of this stadium is 67,394 seats. A great stadium for one of the biggest cities in France.

Note that this stadium is located in one of the hottest cities in France. And this represents a real constraint for the stadium. In this difficult climatic context, it could be bad to spend so much water to keep a green lawn. The stadium has therefore decided to take the lead and set up a rainwater recovery system. And this is in order to be “neutral” or self-sufficient for the maintenance of the Velodrome stadium. It is difficult to know the real “energy saving” realized…

On the other hand, one thing is sure, the enthusiasm of the supporters for their team: Olympique de Marseille is without limit. After Naples, it is one of the best stadiums in Europe where watching a match is a real spectacle. Besides, the stadium is one of the favorite places for travelers to Marseille. We just hope that the stadium will keep its soul, a mythical stadium that makes the whole city vibrate.

address : 3 boulevard Michelet, 13 008 Marseille

3. Le Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon

This is the new soccer stadium of the OL. The stadium was called for a time the Stadium of Lights, then finally its name will be the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. And with time an insurance company will come to stick its name to that of the stadium.

The Parc Olympique Lyonnais project dates back to 2007. But the stadium was built between 2012 and 2015. Then finally the stadium will be officially opened in 2016. It can accommodate 59,186 spectators.

address: 10, avenue Simone Veil, 69150 Décine-Charpieu

4. The Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Lille Metropole

This is one of the largest stadiums in France, it is actually located in the town of Villeneuve d’Ascq. It was built in 2012 and offers 50,186 seats. It is its capacity that makes it one of the largest stadiums in France.

Address : 261 Bd de Tournai, 59650 Villeneuve-d’Ascq

5. The Parc des Princes, Paris, one of the largest stadiums in France

The Parc des Princes is the stadium of Paris Saint Germain. There has been a lot of pressure for PSG to move to the Stade de France, but PSG is very attached to the Parc des Princes, a mythical stadium that was built in 1967 and opened in 1972.

“Here it’s Paris!”

The first stadium was built in 1897 and was rebuilt in 1932. A stadium entirely dedicated to soccer and which can accommodate 48 527 fans.

address : Porte d’Auteuil, 24 rue du Commandant Guilbaud, 75 016 Paris

6. Atlantic Stadium, Bordeaux

The stadium’s 24 kilometers of bleachers can accommodate 42,115 spectators. This capacity of the Stade Atlantique places the Bordeaux stadium in the sixth place of the largest stadiums in France. This stadium was built between 2012 and 2015 to replace the historic stadium of the city of Bordeaux. It must be admitted that the design of the stadium is quite successful. Because of the numerous columns, there are more than 1000 of them, giving the stadium a lot of lightness. They probably represent the pine forest of the moors while allowing the light to pass through and be reflected on a large white staircase, which is none other than the back part of the stands.

This building is 233 meters long and 210 meters wide. The highest point of the stadium is 40 meters high.

Address of the Bordeaux stadium: yard Jules Ladoumegue, 33 000 Bordeaux

7. Geoffroy Guichard Stadium, Saint-Etienne

The “cauldron” as soccer fans like to call it, can accommodate 41 965 people. It is one of the largest stadiums in France and dates from the 1930s. But the stadium was renovated for the World Cup in 1998 and then in 2014. This stadium hosts all the meetings of the club ASSE – the sports association of Saint-Etienne.

Stadium address: 14 rue Paul et Pierre Guichard, 42000 Saint-Etienne

8. Gerland, Lyon

The stadium was built between 1913 and 1926 and can accommodate 41,842 spectators. This stadium has almost a century of existence but it was nevertheless renovated three times in 1984 then in 1998 and finally in 2017. It was the stadium of the Olympique Lyonnais club between 1950 and 2015.

stadium address : 353 avenue Jean Jaurès, 69 007 Lyon

9. Felix Bollart Stadium, Lens

It dates from 1934 and has a capacity of 41,229 seats. It is said that the people of Lens are extraordinary supporters. The stadium is 105 meters long and 68 meters wide.

Address of the stadium: avenue Alfred Maës, 62 300 Lens

10. La Beaujoire, Nantes

This stadium was designed and built in 1984 for about 15 million euros. At that time, it was a question of providing new infrastructures to welcome the 1984 World Cup in the best conditions.

The stadium was officially inaugurated on May 8, 1984 for a friendly match between FC Nantes and the Romanian national team.

Today, the Beaujoire stadium is the official stadium of FC Nantes. The stadium has been renovated for the 1998 World Cup and has a capacity of 38,285 seats. And the size of the field is 105 meters by 68 meters wide. The stadium itself is 230 meters long and 200 meters wide.

Stadium address: 5 boulevard de la Beaujoire, 44300 Nantes (in the north of the city)

The other stadiums in France