2023 World Cup match venues & host cities

The Pool games will be played in some of the most fascinating cities.

2023 world cup host cities

Whatever your travel plans are for the World Cup in 2023, talk to us and we will make it happen.

France is honoured to be hosting the Rugby World Cup™ in 2023, the 10th in a tournament series played every four years since 1987.

From 8 September to 21 October 2023, the oval ball – of which we’ll be celebrating 200 years – will unite 20 international teams for 48 passionate games in France. Paris will, of course, be in the spotlight – but Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Saint-Denis, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse also join the host lineup.

Over the last 18 years, FRANCE AT LEISURE build a network of proven and reliable travel professionals and services in all regions of France.

With this valuable knowledge of products and services such as chateaux stays to charming hotels to Paris apartment rentals, to small group tour operators, we can guide you in building the best rugby packages in every city and region where the matches will be played.

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THE HOST CITIES AND STADIUMS

lyon and its gastronomy

Parc OL - Capacity: 59 000

From the old medieval and Renaissance quarter at the foot of the Fourvière hill, walk through narrow streets and secret passageways, hidden staircases and stylish courtyards, to the roof terrace of the quirky and avant-garde Musée des Confluences. The city of Lyon is never on the sidelines. Always elegant, intriguing and surprising, the ‘

Restaurants Le Bouchons is a must
Cité des Gaules’ is also a foodie’s paradise
Roman Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules,
Medieval & Renaissance architecture in Vieux Lyon

Toulouse and the south

Stadium municipal - Capacity: 33 150

In Toulouse, Occitanie, you’re in the land of Ovalie. The four rugby matches played at the stadium here will certainly be colourful, in the image of this ‘Ville Rose’ (Pink City) that’s always in party mode. You can never get bored around the pedestrianised Capitole square and you’ll have your head in the stars as you visit the Cité de l’Espace.

Day trip to the famous medieval Carcassonne
Taste a tradition local speciality, Le Cassoulet
Cite de L'Espace about the conquest of space
Self Drive Cruise on the Canal du midi

Lille and the Northern region

Stade Pierre-Mauroy Capacity: 50 000

The great technical feat of the Pierre-Mauroy stadium is not the only surprise in the Lille metropolis. Nearby there’s also the LaM (the Museum of Modern Art, Contemporary Art and Art Brut) set in a large sculpture park. And just a few metro stops away is the city centre of this capital of Hauts-de-France, with its warm, welcoming atmosphere.

The Vieux Lille with 17th-century brick houses,
Munching crispy fries and vanilla waffle from Meert.
Palais des Beaux-Arts
'Maison Natale' Charles de Gaulle

Nantes

Stade Louis-Fonteneau - Capacity: 37 500

Outside rugby season, the Beaujoire stadium in Nantes is home to the ‘canaris’, nickname for the local football team. Also at the ‘Machines de l’Ile’ site – the former shipyards – you can climb aboard a giant carousel of extraordinary sea creatures. And soon you’ll be able to climb into the branches of the forthcoming ‘Arbre aux Herons’ (Herons’ Tree). Don’t believe us? Go and check it out…

Château des Ducs de Bretagne
Machines de l’Île & Mechanic Elephant
Shopping at the Passage Pommeraye
Gardens of the Plants

Saint-Etienne

Stade Geoffroy-Guichard - Capacity: 42 000

Go back in time at the fascinating Museum of Art and Industry and Museum of the Mine, then visit the cutting-edge Cité du Design. It’s a great city for green tourism, too: a gateway to the outdoor delights of Auvergne with its gently sloping mountains, dormant volcanoes and beautiful countryside. Usually a France major soccer city, in 2023 it’s all about rugby.

Musée d’Art et d’Industrie
Gouffre d’Enfer Dam
Wine day tour to the Cote du Rhone wineries
Le Corbusier

Paris Saint-Denis

Stade de France - Capacity: 81 300

This famous stadium is where all the finals are played. on the outskirts of Paris, why not stay in one apartment for 10 days to cover the Semi and Final games and live like a local.
Even though you have been there before, we have so many activities and options for you to enjoy the hidden Paris and its treasures. Yes! shopping is also allowed.

Champagne day tour
Anzac day tour
Versailles, Giverny, Fountainbleau
VIP Romantic Dinner cruise on the Seine

Bordeaux and its heritage

Matmut Atlantique - 42,000 capacity

There are over 350 UNESCO-listed buildings in its historic centre. Its numerous museums include the incredible Cité du Vin and the trendy new Musée Mer Marine. Whether you go before or after the matches, they’re all must-sees in the world’s wine capital and surrounding like Saint Emilion, Arcachon, Dune du Pile. Simply talk to us!

Cite des Vins - the mace for wine lovers
Bike cruise on the Garonne
Wine tour to Saint Emilion

Nice with the riviera

Allianz Riviera - 35,000 capacity

Besides the rugby matches, the Rugby fans can enjoy the pleasures of the Côte d’Azur. From the famous sea-lapped Promenade des Anglais to the small hilltop villages inland, the flower market and trendy alleyways of the Petit Marais and the Gallo-Roman site of Cimiez… life’s sweet here, wherever you go.

Visit the perched village of Vence and grace
Learn about perfume making
Day trip to Monaco or Cannes

TALK TO THE EXPERTS

It will be so much easier

With over 18 years of experience, we know France like no others. Since 2002 we have built a great network of French travel professionals that we rely on to plan your travel.
We strongly believe that discerning Australian travellers deserve genuine advice and tips to experience the best of France. A traditional brochure is simply not enough to respond to everyone needs. Start talking to us today about your Ruby package.
Christian BLONDEAU
Founder - Director

Marseille

Stade Velodrome, 67,000 seats

Its unmissable places, on the city side or on the nature side with the Calanques, its beaches ideal for swimming, its cultural heritage, its sunny weather and its legendary football club where some of the Rugby World Cup pool games and Quarters will be played at …