Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
As a nation, France harbours one of the most vibrant and storied rugby cultures in the world. But it is in the South of France where the game takes on a spirit of its own – shaped as legend would have it by village and small-town rivalries for over a century. Stretching from Bordeaux to Marseille, and dancing across the tip of the Pyrenees to encompass the Languedoc and parts of Gascony, this area has become fondly known as l'Ovalie – the Land of the Oval Ball.
While the regional nature of France’s rugby culture remains strong, national pride reigns – particularly when the hotly contested Rugby World Cup takes place every four years. Autumn 2023 will see the tournament arrive exclusively in France, with countries from around the globe playing for glory in some of France’s most celebrated stadiums from Paris and Bordeaux to Nice and Marseille.
Strengthening France’s southern tie to the sport, William Webb Ellis – lauded as the founding father of Rugby – is buried in the Cimetière du Vieux Château in the picturesque town of Menton. Wind your way through the narrow streets and ascend the steep staircases through the Old Town to the cemetery, and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views of the French Riviera.
Whether you’re drawn to the prestigious Monte Carlo Tennis Masters and their spectacular setting, the electrifying atmosphere of the Monaco Grand Prix, or the humdrum of waterside activity during the Monaco Yacht Show, Provence is home to some of Europe’s most impressive sporting events. Delve deeper into the country's rich sporting cultural history at The National Sports Museum in the Grand Stadium of Nice.
To find out more, visit the Rugby World Cup website.
