Rugby World Cup: what you need to know to see France-Namibia at the Concorde fan zone

2023-09-20 19:35:07

It has already become an essential gathering point for rugby fans in the capital. The fan zone located at Place de la Concorde in Paris will once again be extended for the third match of the French XV in this Rugby World Cup against Namibia on Thursday evening (9 p.m.) in Marseille. It will thus be able to accommodate, free of charge, up to 39,000 people, the maximum capacity planned by the organizers, to follow the meeting on a giant screen.

Access to the rugby village will be possible from 2 p.m. Thursday, seven hours before the match kicks off. “Motorists and cyclists are advised to avoid traveling in the Paris Center/Concorde sector,” warns the police headquarters. Traffic restrictions are in place from Thursday at 12:01 a.m. “Traffic will only be possible in one direction on Place de la Concorde (from rue Royale towards Pont de la Concorde) between the assembly and dismantling phases of the village,” she explains.

Access to the fan zone will be via four entrances, around Place de la Concorde. LP/Police headquarters

A security perimeter, set up in two stages. From 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., all access to the square will be prohibited, except for pedestrians who pass through one of the planned entry points. There are four: via rue de Rivoli, via Quai des Tuileries, via Rue Royale and finally via Cours La Reine. Security checks are planned to access this area where parking will also be prohibited.

Two metro stations closed

To access it, supporters can come by public transport. Please note, the Concorde and Tuilerie metro stations will be closed from noon on Thursday until the next day. Free and secure bicycle parking, with a capacity of 500 spaces, is available on rue de Rivoli.

“Line 14 is closed to the public from 10 p.m. (as are lines 4 and 11 due to work),” also warns the police headquarters. The fan zone will open its doors again on Friday for Argentina-Samoa and Saturday-Sunday for the rest of the weekend’s matches. But this time, in a more classic configuration.