The Marcel Deflandre Stadium: Stade Rochelais’s preferred playing field

The training ground of the famous Stade Rochelais, the La Rochelle rugby club, the Marcel Deflandre Stadium hosts championship matches or friendly matches all year round in an electric but always good-natured atmosphere! 

Discover the temple of rugby in La Rochelle

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The Marcel Deflandre stadium is located in the Port-Neuf district, between Chef-de-Baie and La Concurrence, two of the most beautiful beaches of La Rochelle. It covers a total area of more than 40,000m2 including the main pitch of 98 x 70 m as well as 4 stands totaling 16,000 seats. It has 954 lawn seats and 39 partner boxes. 

In the heart of the Yellow and Black fortress, the supporters have a dedicated space, the Bodega du Port-Neuf, located under the stand of the same name. With an area of 500m2, this space can be privatized for corporate events, just like the premium village and the Open box. In the heart of the stadium, their lounges offer a breathtaking view of the field: ideal for a seminar, a cocktail or a business evening!

Many athletes train year round at the La Rochelle stadium: 

• the first team, playing in the Top 14;
• the elite women's teams;
• the U21 Espoirs team; 
• the youth teams; 
• the rugby school;
• the health rugby section (senior leisure).

Created in 1995, the Stade Rochelais Training Center is currently classified in category 1, that is to say among the best in France. The Yellow and Blacks have been European champions several times (against the Irish of Leinster in particular). In 2023, 7 Rochelais were selected to join the XV of France for the World Cup.

History of the Marcel Deflandre stadium

Before having its own field, Stade Rochelais trained near the Château du Port-Neuf. At the time, the changing rooms were installed in the old pigsty of the castle…

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From 1926, the team took possession of its new playground, the Parc des Sports de Port-Neuf. It was renamed Marcel Deflandre Stadium in 1947 in homage to the former president of the club and resistance fighter, shot by the Gestapo in 1944.

Also having an athletics track, the stadium remained the main sports facility of the city until 1970. The construction of the François le Parco stadium (football) and the Armand Bouffénie stadium (athletics) then made it possible to relieve the congestion of the Yellow and Black lair.

The Marcel Deflandre stadium underwent major renovation projects in the early 2000s. For the occasion, the Port-Neuf stand was completely rebuilt. 3000 m2 of solar panels were installed on its roof as well as an 80,000 liter cistern to collect rainwater to water the lawn. The latest project allowed the Charente-Maritime stand to have a facelift, for a total amount of 12 million euros.

It hosts both regional matches (Rochefort-Niort for example) and national (like Stade Rochelais - Aviron Bayonnais) or international (France-Scotland match of the 2017 Six Nations Tournament).

How to get to the Yellow and Black stadium?

The rugby stadium is a 30-minute walk from the city center (port of La Rochelle, Place de Verdun or La Rochelle market). Several bus lines allow you to easily reach the Annette Epaud stop located on avenue Jean Guiton, less than 5 minutes walk from the site. 

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If you arrive by train or plane, you can quickly get to the site by taxi or public transport: La Rochelle train station is a quarter of an hour by car from the Marcel Deflandre stadium and La Rochelle-île de Ré airport less than 10 min. 

Are you visiting La Rochelle by bike? The district has 2 Yélo stations (the agglomeration's self-service bicycles), avenue du Maréchal Juin. If you use your own bike, park it in the secure parking lot of the site, place de l’île de France.

By car or two-wheeler, take the La Pallice / Port-Neuf exit from Niort, Poitiers or Bordeaux. Please note, few parking spaces are available around the stadium.

For ticketing, transactions are made online for the general public or directly on the Marcel Deflandre stadium website. The subscriber pass gives access to many advantages.

Your hotel near the Marcel Deflandre stadium

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Are you looking for a hotel in La Rochelle easily accessible from the Marcel Deflandre stadium? 

At B&B HOTELS, we offer several ideally located accommodation solutions, close to the main roads, public transport and the city center.

Near the best restaurants in La Rochelle, La Rochelle Aquarium and the main tourist attractions to do in La Rochelle, our establishments welcome you all year round for a comfortable stay in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Radiate in the region to discover the historical, cultural and natural heritage of the surroundings: La Rochelle museums, islands of the archipelago (Oléron, Ré, Aix), Francofolies de La Rochelle… 

Settle into a cozy and modern room and enjoy all the B&B HOTELS services at exceptional prices! Solo, as a couple or as a family, we provide you with different types of accommodation (double rooms, family rooms, large beds or single beds). Our hotels also have rooms adapted for people with reduced mobility: simply request them when booking online.

Book your hotel in Poitou Charentes now for an unforgettable stay between land and sea!