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The Paris Olympics are just a few months away and while the capital city of France will rightly get the lion’s share of bragging rights for the tournament, there are many other French cities which will be joining in on the fun.
Here’s a quick guide to five of them.
With a population of just over 260,000 according to a 2021 census, Bordeaux is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and is situated in the southwest of the country. It abounds in museums and monuments, and is a wine-producing powerhouse. Its golden age occurred in the 18th century and its Port of the Moon has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as “an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble.” Bordeaux is connected to the country’s motorway and the TGV travels between it and Paris, nearly 600 km away.
The Matmut Atlantique Stadium will host at least seven matches in the men's and women's football tournament, including the quarter-finals.
Located on the Deûle River near France's border with Belgium, Lille is the capital of the Hauts-de-France region and is called the “Capital of Flanders.” It is the fourth most populous city in France, and developed rapidly in the 19th century as a hub of textile manufacturing, machinery, chemicals and food processing. Like Bordeaux, it has branched into modern industries like electronics and the information and technology sectors. It is connected with Paris via high-speed train and with London through the Eurostar.
The Pierre Mauroy Stadium will host basketball and handball games.
This city is located in the Pays de la Loire region on the Loire river, 50 km from the Atlantic coast. Its name originates with the Namnètes, a Gallic tribe who made it their capital. Historically and culturally Nantes was part of Brittany, and it used to be known as the “Venice of the West” before its channels and quays were filled in. The city has been recognised for its quality of life, and was awarded the European Green Capital Award in 2013. Nearly 400 km away from Paris, visitors can take the high-speed TGV to Nantes.
La Beaujoire Stadium will host the men’s and women’s football matches.
Located in the Centre-Val de Loire region, Châteauroux is a small city which doesn’t attract as many visitors as its more renowned cousins in the Loire valley. The town developed on the back of its textile industry but has since expanded into the production of metal equipment, chemicals, paper and pharmaceuticals. Public transportation in the city has been free since 2001 and it’s home to ancient fortifications, medieval streets, a 13th-century former convent and gorgeous churches. Châteauroux is 265 km from Paris and is connected by road and rail.
The Chateauroux Shooting Centre will welcome 340 Olympic athletes and 160 Paralympic athletes to compete in shooting events.
Situated close to Lyon in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and named after Saint Stephen, Saint-Étienne prospered due to its coal mining and arms manufacturing sectors. The city is undergoing an image makeover by hosting art and cultural exhibitions, such as the Massenet Festivals, in honour of composer Jules Massenet, who was born there. In 2010 it was nominated as a "City of Design" by UNESCO's Creative Cities Network. The École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint-Étienne is a renowned graduate engineering school. The city is 500 km from Paris and is well-connected by roads and rail.
The Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium will host the men’s and women’s football matches.
