It’s almost time. Time for 24 of Europe’s best nations to battle it out across the channel in France for the chance to be crowned European Champions for 2016. It’s also almost time for plenty of fans to start packing. Their epic Euro 2016 road trip is about to begin.
For many fans supporting England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, reaching French soil will be simply a matter to discuss with their respective wallets. Trains, planes and automobiles will all be viable options for the first step of reaching the continent, but once there many fans will pair it down to just the four wheels. Renting a car in France to travel throughout the tournament is surely the cheapest option.
Finding the best rental deal is key, and it’ll be all systems go for Sixt Rent A Car. This rental service certainly understands the complications of travelling across a country and has created a guide for those looking forward to living the tournament and also enjoying the beauty of France along the way. A Euro 2016 travel guide. With key information about matches, teams and Euro statistics, coupled with all the essentials for travelling between nine different host cities; Sixt is certainly supporting the fans this summer.
Below you’ll find essentials on all the host cities across France this summer:
Marseille
Matches:
England v Russia, June 11th
France v Albania, June 15th
Iceland v Hungary, June 18th
Ukraine v Poland, June 21st
One quarter final tie, June 27th
One semi-final tie, July 6th
Stadium:
The Stade Vélodrome has a 67,000 capacity and a brand new roof for the tournament. Standing in the south of the city, it is the second biggest venue this year and has been used in two previous World Cups.
No ticket?
Close by is Prado Beach which will play host to the Marseille Fan Zone, holding 80,000. Every match will be broadcast here on a huge screen, with entry free to everyone throughout the tournament.
Eat and Drink:
Being both a port and a big city, there will be no shortage of bars and restaurants. Head to Vieux Port for some of the best bars and pubs and be sure to try a bit of Bouillabaisse while you’re about. The place is famous for it!
Lens
Matches:
Albania v Switzerland, June 11th
England v Wales, June 16th
Czech Republic v Turkey, June 21st
One last 16 tie, June 25th
Stadium:
Rebuilt especially for the tournament, the Stade Bollaert-Delelis holds 35,000. Close to the station, which is an hour from Paris, the stadium could actually hold almost all of those living in Lens (if they were all lucky enough to grab a ticket).
No ticket?
A specific fan zone will be set up in the main town square at Place Jean Jaurès and will have a capacity of 18,000.
Eat and Drink:
The Irish Tavern on 6 ave Raoul Briquet is predicted to be a hotspot for fans looking to indulge. Chips are a big deal here, mixed with local meat, vegetables and sauces.
Bordeaux
Matches:
Wales v Slovakia, June 11th
Austria v Hungary, June 14th
Belgium v Rep. of Ireland, June 18th
Croatia v Spain, June 21st
One quarter final tie, July 2nd
Stadium:
Completed in May 2015, the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux holds 42,000 and is an impressive sight. Supported by a myriad of thin external columns; the stadium’s designers are to redesign Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge home in the future.
No ticket?
Bordeaux’s fan zone will be at the Place des Quinconces with a capacity of 60,000.
Eat and Drink:
The city has come a long way in the last 20 years, with the nightlife blossoming. Check out the Quai de Paludate where all manner of neon clubs and exciting adventures lie in wait, while those looking for something a little closer to home should arrive at Sweeney Tod’s sports bar for a hefty burger and home brewed ale on the cheap.
Saint-Etienne
Matches:
Portugal v Iceland, June 14th
Czech Republic v Croatia, June 17th
Slovakia v England, June 20th
One last 16 tie, June 25th
Stadium:
With its electricity sourced from solar panels and recycled cooking oil, the 42,000 capacity Stade Geoffrey-Guichard is easily the most eco-friendly stadium at the tournament.
No ticket?
The François Mitterrand Park will host the fan zone for the tournament and is less than a mile from the city centre. With large screens galore and its own food village, this is the place to be if you’ve been fortunate enough to have scored tickets.
Eat and Drink:
Café St Jacques is a local favourite for footy fans in the city, while The Smoking Dog down 5 Rue Georges Dupré is open until 1:30am. For the foodies out there, Fourme de Montbrison cheese and the ‘rosette’ salami are a big part of the local cuisine.
Toulouse
Matches:
Spain v Czech Republic, June 13th
Italy v Sweden, June 17th
Russia v Wales, June 20th
One last 16 tie, June 26th
Stadium:
The Stadium Municipal de Toulouse, also known as the ‘mini-Wembley’, has been revamped for the tournament and holds 33,000.
No ticket?
The fan zone in Toulouse will be at the Allée Jules Guesde with a capacity of 30,000.
Eat and Drink:
Find lively bars around Place St Pierre or head to Place St George for a quieter footy atmosphere. Don’t miss the local markets and do try some traditional Toulouse sausage.
Nice
Matches:
Poland v Northern Ireland, June 12th
Spain v Turkey, June 17th
Sweden v Belgium, June 22nd
One last 16 tie, June 27th
Stadium:
The Stade de Nice is found in the western suburbs of the city, around six miles from the city centrel. It opened in 2013 and holds 36,000.
No ticket?
With a giant screen and a capacity of 10,000, the Nice Fan Zone will be set right in the heart of the city at the Albert 1st Gardens, which is fantastically set facing the iconic Castel beach with the sea stretching out behind.
Eat and Drink:
Old Town (Vieux Nice) has something for every mood, be it a glass of wine on the terrace or a funky dance session in one of the music bars. Foodies will surely home in on the Socca, which is a crispy pancake with a custard-like centre. This is quintessential Nice street food.
Lyon
Matches:
Belgium v Italy, June 13th
Ukraine v Northern Ireland, June 16th
Romania v Albania, June 19th
Hungary v Poland, June 22nd
One last 16 tie, June 26th
One semi-final, July 6th
Stadium:
The Stade de Lyon only opened in January and is the newest and most expensive stadium at the Euros. It has a capacity of 59,000.
No ticket?
The fan zone will be at Place Bellecour. Sat on a stretch of land between the rivers Rhone and Saone, there will be large screens, food vendors, entertainments, and room for 32,000 fans.
Eat and Drink:
The Smoking Dog Pub in Vieux Lyon will be a hotspot for fans looking to enjoy the game with a pint in a vibrant atmosphere, as will The Saint James. Those after a little more sophistication should aim for La Cave des Voyageurs at 7 Place St Paul. As for the local food, it’s all about the sausages.
Paris
Two stadiums in Paris are being used for the tournament, the Parc des Princes and the famous Stade de France.
Parc des Princes Matches:
Turkey v Croatia, June 12th
Romania v Switzerland, June 15th
Portugal v Austria, June 18th
Northern Ireland v Germany, June 21st
One last 16 tie, June 25th
Stade de France Matches:
France v Romania, June 10th
Rep. of Ireland v Sweden, June 13th
Germany v Poland, June 16th
Iceland v Austria, June 22nd
One last 16 tie, 27th June
One quarter final, 3rd July
The Final, July 10th
Stadium:
The Parc des Princes is the home of French champions PSG and can hold 49,000 fans while the Stade de France is the country’s biggest stadium, holding a whopping 80,000 people. The latter will host both the opening fixture and the final.
No ticket?
The Fan Zone in Paris will have space for 120,000 supporters and will be situated on the Champ de Mars, below the Eiffel Tower.
Eat and Drink:
With over 30 screens showing the games, Le Players is the bar to be in Paris. Those looking for an English pub should head to The Bombardier. The French capital is a Mecca for food lovers, with steak-frites, macarons, crepes and croque-monsieurs just some of the delicious food just waiting to be gobbled up.
Lille
Matches:
Germany v Ukraine, June 12th
Russia v Slovakia, June 15th
Switzerland v France, June 19th
Italy v Rep. of Ireland, June 22nd
One last 16 tie, June 26th
One quarter final, July 1st
Stadium:
The Stade Pierre Mauroy holds an impressive 50,000 spectators and has a retractable roof.
No ticket?
The Place Francois Mitterrand will hold the city’s fan zone with a 30,000 capacity.
Eat and Drink:
Northern Ireland fans will love MacLarens, while the nearby O’Scotland is (of course) a Scottish themed bar. More chilled venues are to be found around rues Barre, Bouchers, Basse and Royale. Moules-frites should be found almost everywhere, being so popular along the north coast of France.
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