Grenoble

GRENOBLE FOOT 38 – STADE DES ALPES – CAPACITY: 20,068

About The Stade des Alpes

Opened in 2008, the Stade de Alpes in certainly an eye opener. It replaced the Stade Lesdiguieres which was the club’s home since 1968 and was often used as a Rugby venue too. It is similar in design to many new build stadiums in the UK including Pride Park and St Marys. Views are good from all stands.

About Grenoble Foot 38

The club was founded in 1892 as Football Club de Grenoble. In 1997, a merger of Olympique Grenoble Isère and Norcap Olympique led to the Grenoble Foot 38 incarnation. Olympique Grenoble Isère was played in Ligue 1 in seasons of 1960-61 and 1962-63.

It was acquired in 2004 by the Japanese enterprise Index which soon built it a new stadium, Stade des Alpes, that registered an initial capacity of 20,000, and which was opened on February 2008, after which it achieved promotion to Ligue 1 in the 2008-09 season.

So where on earth is Grenoble and who are Grenoble Foot 38 – surely one of the most splendid names in football!? Well, the City is situated in Southeastern France at the foot of the Alps and the football team was formed in 1997 after a merger of Olympique Grenoble Isere and Norcap Olympique. Why all the ‘Olympique’ references I hear you ask (really!? – Ed) – that’ll be because the City of Grenoble once hosted the Winter Olympics in 1968. I thank you. The ’38’ refers to the postal district of Grenoble. I thank you once more.

How to get to Stade Des Alpes

The stadium is located quite centrally close to the river and opposite the Natural History museum. It is a ten minute walk away from the station. Walk stright ahead to the main junction on the river, then take the right hand turn into Boulevard Gambetta. Follow this down to the main intersection with the D1090, just after the Hotel Gambetta where you need to turn left. Follow to the end where the Tour Perret is and then simply walk throgh the park to the stadium.

How to get a ticket for the Stade des Alpes

For most games you can buy tickets on the day. Alternatively you can buy them from FNAC or Carrafour in the town centre. Online you can buy them from francebillett.com. Tickets for the non-premium games start from €11.80 in the east stand to €31 in the cenre of the south stand.

Details of the EFW trip to Grenoble in February 2009 can be found by clicking here.