Euros 2016 – Saint-Etienne Travel Guide

After two long years, the Euros 2016 is almost upon us! To celebrate the long-awaited event, we have put together this city guide to help you during your time in Saint-Etienne. From suggestions for where to grab some lunch, to insider tips on where to park your car, we’ve done the hard work so you can focus on the football.

Click to Jump to:

• Where to Watch the Games
• Supporting your Team
• Match Fixtures in 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!
• 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.

Euros Match Fixtures in Saint-Etienne

The teams playing in Saint-Etienne are listed here in local time (GMT +1)

14 th June – 21.00:

Portugal

VS.

Iceland

17 th June – 18.00:

Czech Republic

VS.

Croatia

20 th June – 21.00:

Slovakia

VS.

England

25 th June – 15.00:

RA

VS.

RC

Support Ireland in France

• Where the Ireland Team are Staying: The Republic of Ireland players are based in Versailles, home to the famous palace you may have heard about. Just a stone’s throw from Paris, the team will set up camp in the luxurious Trianon Palace Hotel based on the edge of the Palace’s gardens. Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane were both extremely impressed after visiting the accommodation.
• Where Ireland are Training: While staying in Versailles, Ireland will be training at the nearby municipal football facility, which is home to AFC Versailles.
• Team Stats:England have got a reasonable chance with the draw this year and many fans are confident of a win approaching the Slovakia game. The record looks to stand in England’s favour with them winning all three of the games played between the two countries, but let’s not forget the shock 2-1 defeat the Slovaks inflicted on Spain in Zilina during qualifying. As the last game scheduled at this point, it will be an important moment for Roy Hodgson’s youthful team, whose previous test against Wales is hotly anticipated.

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.

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.

Saint-Etienne Driving Tips

Given the number of people that will be descending on the city, it’s good to know how to drive in Saint Etienne before you get there. As with the rest of France driving is on the right, and the speed limit is 50km/h in the city centre. Remember that the drink driving limit in France is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, and that the police are entitled to randomly breathalise drivers.

Important Distances

By Car:

• Saint-Etienne Airport to City Centre: 15 km / 17 mins
• Airport to Geoffrey-Guichard Stadium: 12 km / 13 mins
• City Centre to Geoffrey-Guichard Stadium: 4 km / 40 mins
• Saint-Etienne to Lyon: 62 km / 49 mins
• Saint-Etienne to Dijon: 195 km / 1 hr 48 mins

Sixt Car Hire Branches in Saint-Etienne:

42 Rue de la Montat,
42100, Saint-Etienne

Parking Tips in Saint-Etienne

Given that Saint-Etienne isn’t a huge tourist hub, parking is quite easy to find around the city. There are a number of designated car parks, and many spots on the outskirts where street parking is permitted. There are also a number of superstores with large open car parks that you can try, such as Lidl, Ikea, Intermarche, and Casino.

Available Car Parks:

1 – JEAN JAURÈS – 5 Rue Emile Combes, 42000 Saint-Étienne

2 – CHAVANELLE – 20 Place Chavanelle, 42100 Saint-Étienne

3 – HOTEL DE VILLE – 13 Place Hôtel de ville, 42000 Saint-Étienne

4 – A. MOINE – Place Maxime Gorky, 42000 Saint-Étienne

5 – URSULES – 2 Rue du Frère Maras, 42000 Saint-Étienne

6 – CLAPIER – Boulevard Pierre Mendès France, 42000 Saint-Étienne

7 – PALAIS DE JUSTICE – 41 Rue Georges Teissier, 42000 Saint-Étienne

8 – CHATEAUCREUX – 44 Rue Ferdinand, 42000 Saint-Étienne

9 – FAURIEL – Rue Baudin, 42000 Saint-Étienne

10 – MONT PILAT – 11-13 rue des Drs Charcot, 42000 Saint-Étienne

Transport your Group Easily

A great option for groups is a minibus hire in Saint Etienne. Allowing you to travel together and avoid waiting around, it keeps the costs down and is also a whole lot of fun too!