Visiting the Stade de la Beaujoire
Located in Nantes, right across from the exhibition center, the Stade de la Beaujoire serves as the home field for Football Club de Nantes, one of the most decorated clubs in France.
Construction and evolution of the stadium
The push for a new stadium in Nantes began in the late 1970s, driven by the club president, Louis Fonteneau. He fought to bring the project to life, and the timing aligned perfectly when France secured the rights to host the 1984 European Football Championship, which unlocked the necessary funding.
The plan was to replace the older stade Marcel-Saupin with a modern facility. The construction was officially greenlit in June 1982. The site chosen was in the northeast of the city, taking over the former cité ouvrière de "la Baratte" (La Baratte workers' housing estate).
Architect Berdje Agopyan led the design, working alongside the firm Architectes Ingénieurs Associés and the engineering office CERA. The project had a budget of 100 million francs, with 50 percent covered by the state. Construction finished on schedule for the inaugural match on May 8, 1984.
Ahead of the 1998 World Cup hosted in France, the venue underwent renovations costing 43 million francs. Later, in 2008, an additional 1.5 million EUR (about $1.6 million) was invested in upgrades.
By 2017, a new stadium proposal called YelloPark emerged. However, this 200 million EUR (about $217 million) joint French-American project was eventually scrapped.
A sporting and cultural hub for Western France
The Stade de la Beaujoire originally held 52,923 spectators, though its capacity has since been adjusted to 32,332 seats.
The stadium has hosted several major competitions, including the 1984 European Football Championship, the 1998 World Cup, three French Cups, and two Rugby World Cups. Beyond sports, it has served as a venue for major concerts, with acts like Genesis, Pink Floyd, U2, and Johnny Hallyday performing there.
It remains a central fixture in the sporting and cultural life of the city.
Stade de la Beaujoire is an iconic spot for soccer and sports fans in Nantes.
There is an incredible atmosphere during the Canaris matches.
It is an essential place to feel the city's sports energy.
Getting there is easy, whether by car or public transit.