Euro 2016: Saint-Etienne city guide

"Saint-Etienne is a traditional French city which prides itself on a rich industrial history. Located in eastern France, Saint-Etienne has some of the most fabulous countryside and architecture that the country has to offer, including the Byzantine Saint Marie church and contemporary art museum housing work by the famous Matisse. Football serves as a break from reality for the local French community. AS Saint-Etienne are an integral part of the city’s identity with the Stade Geoffroy Guichard located at the heart of Saint Etienne as thousands of football fans prepare to desend onto the city which will host Portugal, England and Croatia fans during the month long tournament. "
Published by
21st Apr 2016

Saint-Etienne is a traditional French city which prides itself on a rich industrial history. Located in Rhone-Alps reigion of middle eastern France, Saint-Etienne has some of the most fabulous countryside and architecture that the country has to offer, including the Byzantine Saint Marie church and contemporary art museum housing work by the famous Matisse.

 

Football serves as a break from reality for the local French community. AS Saint-Etienne are an integral part of the city’s identity with the Stade Geoffroy Guichard located at the heart of Saint Etienne as thousands of football fans prepare to desend onto the city which will host Portugal, England and Croatia fans during the month long tournament.

 

Fixtures in Saint-Etienne:

Group F: Portugal vs Iceland - Tuesday 14th June - 20:00

Group D: Czech Republic vs Croatia - Friday 17th June - 17:00

Group B: Slovakia vs England - Monday 20th June - 20:00

Quarter-Final: Saturday 25th June - Runner-up Group A v Runner-up Group C - 14:00

 

You can purchase your UEFA Euro 2016 tickets online today from Football Ticket Pad - The UK’s leading online ticket supplier.

 

Getting Around:

Saint-Etienne is well served by road and rail. Motorway links can take you across the country with Lyon less than an hour drive away, with Marseille able to be reached in three hours.

Chateaucreux train station offers regular direct trains to Paris which take little over two and a half hours and the city’s two airports (Andrezieuz-Boutheon and Lyon Saint-Exupery airport) make it a good base for any travelling supporter.

Supporters can fly directly into either of these two airports and they are then very close to two of the host venues in Lyon and Saint-Etienne. Boutheon airport is only 20 minutes from the city centre and  if you plan on  flying into Lyon Saint-Exupery, Saint-Etienne is a one hour drive away.

Saint-Etienne’s transport links are what makes it a popular choice with travelling supporters with the A47 and A72 linking Saint-Etienne to a number of major cities.

 

Where to watch the game:

The stadium is one of the easiest stadiums to get to once you are in Saint-Etienne. The ground is a mere 4km from the city centre and close to two main rail stations, tram services and many bus routes.

From the city centre take the T1 tram line heading towards Hopital Nord, getting off at G.Guichard and this will take you straight to the stadium.

The Stade Geoffroy Guichard Stadium holds a capacity of 42,000 and is nicknamed ‘the cauldron’. The stadium definitely lives up to its name with all four sides of the stadium tightly packed against the playing surface.

The stadium was also listed as one of the venues for the 1984 European Championships and the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

An official Fan Zone for supporters will be set up in the Parc Francois-Mitterrand which will hold up to 20,000 fans and create a buzzing atmosphere. The fan zones are free access and is only a 1.5km walk from the city centre.