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The Stade de France
Situated 9km north of central Paris, it's likely that the most visitors will see of Saint-Denis will be between the train station and the Stade de France. Heavily industrialized in the 19th century, the town suffered with the collapse of many of these industries in the 1960s. But for those who can overcome the pangs of central Paris for one day, there are some great sights that would make a visit worthwhile.
Stadium: Stade de France. Capacity: 80,000
Stadium History: The Stade de France was inaugurated on January 28, 1998, for a France v Spain football match. Although France has recently won two grand slams at the venue, many French rugby supporters are still decidedly lukewarm toward the 80,000 capacity ground. The Stade de France has superb transport links, and is served by two RER lines to central Paris.
Town: Despite spending many years as a grimy industrial backwater, Saint Denis boasts a proud past and links to legend and royalty. The town was the venue for the beheading of the first Bishop of Paris in 250 AD. Having lost his head, the legend claims that he carried it for several miles before finally dying in Saint Denis, where the basilica was built iin his honour.
That same basilica became the burial site for most of the kings and queens of France, including Louis XVI who was executed during the French Revolution of 1789. During the revolution, the bodies of the monarchs were removed from their vaults and piled in a heap. Although the majority of the remains were later returned to the Basilica, it was impossible to distinguish who was who, so a mass grave was created with 2 marble tablets naming the buried monarchs. The remains of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were identified and buried separately on the orders of Louis XVIII during the Restoration in 1815.
The basilica is also the site for the coronation of all of the French queens (the kings were coronated in Reims) and has some impressive stained glass windows.
Saint Denis has been a intensely industrial site since 1824, when the creation of the the Saint Denis canal linked the Seine to the docks at La Vilette. However, the area fell into decline as with many heavy industial areas in the 1960's and 1970's. Recent efforts in gentrification have culminated in the construction of the Stade de France and the creation of 60,000 public service jobs.
Location: Saint Denis is 9km north of Paris and is part of the Ile de France region. The town is easily accessible using overland and underground train services from central Paris. There are two RER stations serving the Stade de France itself and you can expect a travel time from the Gare du Nord of about 15 minutes. For those crazy enough to drive in Paris, the Stade de France is located at the intersection of the N1 and the A86.
Tourist attractions: The famous Basilica in Saint Denis is accompanied by a market and culture café in the town where various performing arts projects are available to see or participate in.
Musee de L'orfevrerie Bouilhet-Christofle
St Denis
Tél : 01 49 22 40 40
La Maison d'éducation de la Légion d'honneur
St Denis
Tél : 01 55 870 870
Located in a former Abbey built in the middle ages, this building was converted into a girls' school by Napoleon at the turn of the last century and has remained so ever since.
Le Musee d'art et d'histoire
St Denis
Tél : 01 42 43 05 10
Located 300m from the basilica cathedral of Saint Denis, the museum of art and history is in an ex-monastry built in 1625 and inaugurated in 1770 for the birth of Louise of France, daughter of Louis XV.
Transport connections:
By Air: Most international air traffic comes in to Paris at Charles de Gaulle. Taking the RER D or B towards Paris takes you either side of the Stade de France. Paris is also served by Orly airport and taking the Orly rail train to the RER B line takes you directly to the stadium (about 40 minutes). Taxis are parked outside the arrivals hall on the ground floor of the airport. Be aware that there are also limousine services which charge about EUR 90 to get into the centre of town. Not to be taken by mistake! Journey time is approximately 45 minutes from Orly, depending on traffic or 30 minutes from Charles de Gaulle. Be aware that on match days, it is not unusual to struggle to get a taxi willing to go near the stadium. Public transport is very effective and probably the easiest way of travelling. It is virtually impossible to return from the stadium by taxi unless it has been pre-booked.
By Car: A10 from Paris; A62 from Toulouse; A1 (Exit 2 Stade de France ) and A86 (Exit 9 Saint Denis - La Plaine Stade de France ) Saint Denis is served by the A10 motorway and the N1 National route. The Périphérique or Rocade (the paris ringroad) is notorious for queues and delays and should be avoided if possible. Approaching the stadium from the north is feasible but parking is limited.
By Rail: The Eurostar runs into Gare du Nord which has a direct link on either the RER B or D to the stadium. There are luggage lockers at the Gare du Nord should you want to travel directly onto the game.
By Metro/underground: Ligne 13 Saint Denis - Porte de Paris. It is 50 min from Roissy CDG airport, and 1h15 from Orly airport
By Bus: The Bus service in Paris is usually very reliable, but is obviously subject to traffic delays. The stadium is served by Lines 139, 153, 173, 255 and 350. Going to the stadium by public transport takes 15 min from Gare du Nord station and 25 min from town centre
Transport information:
+33 (0)8 92 68 77 14
www.ratp.fr
Roissy Charles-De-Gaulle Airport : +33 (0)1 48 62 12 12
Orly Airport : +33 (0)1 49 75 52 52
www.aeroportsdeparis.fr
RWC Matches:
07 Sep: France v Argentina
14 Sep: England v South Africa
21 Sep: France v Ireland
07 Oct: Quarter finals
13 Oct: Semi-finals
14 Oct: Semi-finals
20 Oct: Final
Post-match hostelries: Those who enjoy a tipple pre and post match would do well to plan their socialising in central Paris. Although there are always beer tents around the stadium, most supporters tend to head back into Paris, particularly when matches are an evening kick-off. It is also important to remember that public transport becomes more sporadic late at night and stops completely after 1am. Extra trains to the Gare du Nord will be waiting after a match so returning to Paris is relatively hassle-free.
The cost of drinks can vary in Paris, and anyone planning a night on the beer will do well to remember that prices will be higher in tourist areas. If you decide to send some time in Saint Denis before or after, there are a few bars to choose from:
Bistro la Table Gourmande
Tél : +33 (0)1 48 13 06 95
Le Khedive
Tél : 01 48 20 16 15
Brasserie le France
Tél : 01 49 98 24 84
Directly opposite the Stadium
Le Cafe Culturel
Tél : 01 48 20 40 62
Au Pavillon
Tél : 01 48 09 49 25
Next to the basilica in Saint Denis
Bars in Paris:
The Planet Rugby Choice:
Café Oz: Each of the bars in this chain has a style and atmosphere all of its own. Café Oz in Pigalle is an intimate café-style bar, whilst the bar at Chatelet is a far larger, louder affair. Located in Pigalle, the northernmost bar is accessible from the Gare du Nord they are all easy to find, just opposite the Moulin Rouge whilst the larger bar in Chatalet, is 1 stop from the Gare du Nord on either the RER B or D
The Frogs: There are 2 Frog pubs in reach of the Gare du Nord The Frog and Princess and The Frog and Rosbif. Located respectively in St Germain des pres and Rue St Denis at Chatalet.
The Frog bars are famous for micro-brewing all their own beers. They tend to have a version of all popular beers - stouts, ales and lagers that are all brewed in house. They can be an aquired taste but often well worth it! The Frog and Princess is a bit further afield for the Stade de France traveller, but the number of quality of local restaurants packed into a very tight space makes the extra journey worthwhile.
Other Bars: There are of course bars on every corner of virtually every street in Paris. The best advice is to have a good look at the beer prices outside the bar and choose the bar which looks the most fun!
Coolin
Metro: Saint Germain des Près
Bombardier (The Bomb)
Metro: Cardinal Lemoine
Fubar
Metro: Odeon
Mayday Inns
The Freedom and Firkin
Metro: Franklin D Roosevelt
The Bowler:
Metro: Franklin D Roosevelt
The Cricketer
Metro: Opera
The Long Hop
Metro:
Corcorans
Metro: St Michel & Pigalle
McBrides
Metro: Chatelet
The Auld Alliance and The Pure Malt
Metro: St Paul
A few bars in close proximity of the Gare du Nord and which are usually busy on matchdays are below:
Falstaff
15, rue de Dunkerque (across from the Gare du Nord rail station)
Metro: Gare du Nord
Falstaff
42, rue du Montparnasse
Metro: Montparnasse Bienvenue
Biere Academy
7, rue des Ecoles
Metro: Cardinal Lemoine
Accomodation:
Luxury:
Hotel Sovereign
Tél : 01 48 21 41 41
Situated in the Saint Denis town centre and in immediate proximity to the metro line 13 station Basilique and the T1 Tramway
Interhotel Wilson
Tél : 01 48 09 96 85
Located in the business district of La Plaine Saint Denis. Walking distance from the stadium and the RER B station La Plaine Stade de France.
Suitehotel Stade
Tél : 01 49 46 54 54
At the foot of the stadium, next to restaurants, bars and the RER B station La Plaine Stade de France.
Mid-Range:
Etap Hotel Porte de la Chapelle
Tél : 01 58 34 00 10
Located in the business district of La Plaine Saint Denis and walking distance from metro line 12.
Hotel Moderne
Tél : 01 48 20 17 15
Located by the metro line 13 station Porte de Paris. Walking distance from the museum of art and history, 5 minutes on foot from the Basilica and 10 minutes on foot from the stadium.
Campanile Saint Denis Centre
Tél : 01 48 20 74 31
Found in the Saint Denis town centre, close to the Basilica. Metro line métro ligne 13, tramway T1 ans RER D
Budget:
Hotel de la Poste
Tél : 01 48 20 04 69
Situated in the pedestrian area of Saint Denis near local shops and the Basilica.
Formule 1 Stade
Tél : 0 891 705 377
5 minutes on foot from the Stadium and the RER B station La Plaine Stade de France
Nouvel Hotel
Tél : 01 48 20 12 87
5 minutes from the RER d St-Denis station and close to local shops and restaurants
