Stadium · Soccer
Parc des Princes
The Parc des Princes is a brutalist concrete bowl in the wealthy sixteenth arrondissement, wedged between the Boulevard Périphérique and the Bois de Boulogne. Roger Taillibert designed it with ribbed concrete arches carrying the roof so that no pillar interrupts a sightline, and the result is one of the most intimate big grounds in Europe: the stands are steep, close to the pitch, and the two ultra sections behind the goals dominate the noise. It is also small for a club of PSG’s current size, which is the central tension in every conversation about the building.
Approximate all-seated figure. This is a small ground by the standards of Europe’s biggest clubs, which is the root of the club’s long-running argument with the city about its future.
What happens here
The teams and events that put this venue on a fan travel itinerary.
Home teams
Major events
- Ligue 1
- UEFA Champions League
- Coupe de France
How it got here
The history that still shapes what you see on a visit.
There has been a stadium on this site since 1897, and earlier versions served as the finish line of the Tour de France for decades. The current structure opened in 1972 to a Taillibert design, hosted the 1998 World Cup and the 2024 Olympic football tournament, and has been PSG’s home since 1974. The club has pushed repeatedly to either buy the ground from the City of Paris or build a larger replacement, and that question remains unresolved.
Getting there
Including what changes on the way out, which is usually the harder half.
Transit summary
Porte de Saint-Cloud on Métro line 9 is the closest station at about five minutes on foot and is the one most of the crowd uses. Exelmans, also on line 9, is a slightly longer walk and much less congested after full time. Porte d’Auteuil on line 10 is a third option on the other side of the ground. The journey from central Paris takes twenty to thirty minutes depending on where you start.
Parking and rideshare
There is no realistic matchday parking and the streets around the ground are restricted on event days. The Périphérique beside the stadium is congested before and after fixtures. Rideshare pickup is pushed several streets back and pricing spikes at full time, so walking one stop to Exelmans and taking line 9 is the practical choice.
Where to stay, eat and drink
Nearby hotel areas
- Central Paris around Saint-Germain and the Latin Quarter (best base overall, 25 minutes on line 9 or 10)
- The sixteenth arrondissement near Passy and Trocadéro (closest good area, quiet, upmarket, short Métro hop)
- Boulogne-Billancourt (closest value stock, directly next to the ground, limited nightlife)
- Le Marais and Bastille (best food and bars, 30 minutes door to door)
Bars and restaurants nearby
- Rue Gudin and the streets around Porte de Saint-Cloud, the small local pre-match cluster
- Boulogne-Billancourt around the Marché, better food than anything directly at the ground
- Passy and Rue de Passy for a sit down meal before an evening kickoff
- Saint-Germain or the Marais for afterwards, since the sixteenth closes early
Tours and visits
The club runs a stadium tour taking in the dressing rooms, tunnel and pitchside, usually paired with the club store. Tour access is restricted on matchdays and around European fixtures, and the schedule is thinner than at comparable European grounds, so book ahead.
Practical tips
Planning a visit to Parc des Princes
- The sixteenth arrondissement is residential and expensive, and it is not a pub district. Eat and drink centrally, then travel out.
- Ligue 1 kickoff times move for broadcast. Confirm the date before booking non-refundable travel.
- Security screening begins on the approach streets, not at the turnstile. Allow an extra thirty minutes on a European night.
- The ground is small and demand for the big fixtures far exceeds supply. Be careful about who you buy from and be aware that resale is restricted.
- Exelmans is one stop further from the ground than Porte de Saint-Cloud and is consistently the faster way out.
Bags, security and accessibility
French stadium security is thorough and the perimeter checks start well away from the turnstiles, so arrive earlier than the ticket suggests. Bag limits are tight and enforced. Accessible places are limited by the age of the structure and must be arranged with the club in advance.
Related teams
Clubs that play here, and others we cover in the same city
Related destinations
The wider city guide around this venue
Related competitions
How the leagues and championships behind this actually work
Where to go next
Frequently asked questions
Which Métro station is closest to the Parc des Princes?+
Porte de Saint-Cloud on line 9, about five minutes away. Exelmans on the same line is a slightly longer walk and much quicker to get out of after a full house.
Why is PSG trying to leave the Parc des Princes?+
Capacity. At roughly 48,000 the ground is small relative to the club’s commercial ambitions, and the club does not own it. Negotiations with the City of Paris over buying or replacing it have run for years without resolution.
Is the Parc des Princes the same as the Stade de France?+
No. The Stade de France is a separate, much larger national stadium in Saint-Denis to the north, used by the France national teams and for finals. The Parc des Princes is PSG’s club ground in the west of the city.
Last updated August 19, 2026
Sources and verification
- RATP Paris Métro network and station information
- Paris Saint-Germain official stadium and tour information
Capacity figures are approximate and configuration-dependent. Transit routes, bag policies, and tour access change around fixtures and construction. Verify before travel.
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FanForged has no affiliation with Parc des Princes, its operator, or any team or event staged there. Venue names are used descriptively and no venue marks are reproduced here.