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Euro 2016 city guide to Saint-Etienne

The Local France
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Euro 2016 city guide to Saint-Etienne
Photo: Alain Gavillet/Flickr

Saint-Etienne is one of the ten host cities in France for the Euro 2016 tournament. Find out more about the city here from hire company Sixt.

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Saint-Etienne

Watching the Games

The Stadium: With 42,000 seats the Stade Geoffrey-Guichard stands just 2km north of the city centre. It is arguably the most modern and ecologically friendly venue in the tournament, with the electricity sourced from solar panels and recycled cooking oils!

Photo:AFP

Public Viewings: The Fan Zone in Saint-Etienne will welcome supporters of every nationality and is located in the François Mitterrand Park, which is less than a mile from the city centre. It promises to have a large public screen which will broadcast all of the matches and various entertainments as well as having food villages.

Sports/ International Bars: The city’s Café St Jacques is the resident favourite for watching sports, so although it gets incredibly busy at match times it has a great bustling atmosphere. Time Well Wasted is a slightly smaller option, with one giant screen and another smaller one to serve this medium-sized space with tables and stools at the bar. If you’re still looking for somewhere, head to the Rue des Martyrs de Vingré which is full of bars and a very football-friendly area.

Things to See in Saint-Etienne

The Saint-Etienne Mining Museum: A huge part of Saint-Etienne’s history is based in mining, and this great museum gives you the chance to fully explore it. Whether you choose to read through the displays or not, the visit is worth it just to take a tour deep at the bottom of the mine shaft which closed in 1973. Not advised for those with an aversion to tight spaces though! 

Cruise Down the Loire River: From Saint-Etienne take a scenic drive just 8 miles west to the town Saint-Victor-sur-Loire where you can board a boat that will then take you on a relaxing cruise down the Loire river. Take in the sights and get some much needed rest. 

Hot Air Balloon Ride: For the truly adventurous traveller, don’t miss the opportunity to take to the skies in a hot air balloon and witness the world from above. Just under an hours drive away in Annonay, you could see so much more of the Rhone-Alps region and take your trip to the next level with this amazing experience. 

Saint-Etienne Food & Culture

Local Delicacies:  If you’re looking for a quick and easy café to grab something to eat then try the Places Jean Jaurés, a bustling square in the centre of town full of decent eateries and with attractive fountains and a church to complete the quaint scene. For a real taste of the local area, try to get hold of some Fourme de Montbrison cheese and the ‘rosette’ salami to make a great sandwich before the game!

Embrace the Culture: It was at the heart of the industrial revolution in France, but Saint Etienne has refocused for a 21st century audience and made a name for itself as a hub for art and design. It is also renowned for being populated by football fanatics, with the local team ‘Les Verts’ having won the Ligue 1 title a record ten times.  

Photo: Sixt

Driving in Saint-Etienne

Your car hire in Saint Etienne will afford you the freedom to explore and travel at will. With the Rhone valley just a short drive away, as well as the cities of Lyon and Dijon, why not make the most of your time and visit more of this great region? As one of the smaller host cities, Saint-Etienne doesn’t have such frequent public transport and the stations are likely to be congested on match days, so bear this in mind if you are planning on taking the train. Luckily with car hire you can avoid the scrum of the crowds, and drive directly to wherever you are staying. 

Fixtures in Saint-Etienne

14th June- 21.00: Portugal VS. Iceland

17th June- 18.00: Czech Republic VS. Croatia

20th June- 21.00: Slovakia VS. England

25th June- 15.00: Runner up Group A VS. Runner up Group C

This city guide was put together by hire car company Sixt. For more information about hiring cars click here

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