Paris St Germain - Parc des Princes

Welcome to another installment of stadium tourism from us here at Bar and In, today we're taking a trip down memory lane to our December 2010 outing to Paris, France. Home to some of the greatest sights, shops and smells in the entire world and, if I'm honest, my favourite city of them all.

This trip was a birthday treat from my girlfriend Ali, who incidentally loves Paris just as much, if not more than I. It was to be one hell of a three days as we touched down at Charles de Gaulle airport on the outskirts of the city early in the morning. After a drawn out RER train down to Gare du Nord that feeling as the smell of freshly baked brioche and oak from the wine cellars around the eateries is like none other, you have now officially arrived in indulgence capital.

Mmmmm, indulgence.......

So after a merry jaunt around the Champs-Elysee's Christmas markets and famous shops we set off for a spot of stadium geekery (sp?) down in the district of St Germain where a little known team lie. Paris St Germain are one of France's up and down sides. After the dizzy heights at the top of the division sporting players such as Ronaldinho and Nicholas Anelka and knocking sides like Liverpool out of European competition things have gone a little stale for the capital's club of late with a series of mid-table finishes and cries of 'ooh la la' coming from the terraces over management and transfer funding.

Arriving at the Pont st cloud metro station on the wonderful system they have here in Paris we stepped out into one of the richest quarters that the city has to offer. Grand cafes and the waft of Michelin star's filled the air as the concrete roof of the stadium came into view. On first glance the Parc des Princes is a tidy ground but a little soulless, maybe its the concrete or the rugby stadium directly next to it. The club also are not the most welcoming of people, on approach to the club shop I was waved away for no apparent reason, then thinking I had the wrong entrance and making my way through the main area under the stand proved to be unsuccessful as two burly french bouncers escorted me out.



                                                        
                                                                                    



Parc des Princes hadn't really left a lasting impression on me in the way that the San Siro or Borussia Park had on previous expeditions. Outside it feels soulless, the rich and powerful history of the club seems to have faded ever so slightly as the stark reality of mediocrity takes its grip on the Parisiens. With Lyons domination of the french ligue 1 and sides such as Bordeaux overtaking PSG into the champions league frame the future for this once great club is a long way off improving under the current board. Would we be coming back for a game sometime? Oh go on then.....

The City......

Paris is famed for being the gastronomical capital of the world. With more restaurants every square metre than any other city the chances are that you will not be going hungry during your stay. For those on a budget check out restaurants in the Place d'italie and outer Marais (close to Hotel de ville). Paris is awash with sights, the eiffel tower found at Metro stop Bir-Hakeim and the quite brilliant Notre Dam cathederal are just two of many. The city is served by two airports, Paris Charles de Gaulle being the main and Orly the other. East Midlands with BMI baby and London airports via easyjet all fly to Charles de Gaulle where an RER fare to the city will cost you around £8 each way. You must purchase this ticket from a booth as none of the machines give that one fare.

What to do/eat/drink.....
As previously mentioned Paris's restaurant scale is quite amazing. Try the delights of the Patisseries and market food around Rue Cler, close to Ecole Militaire. A true french delight. For those who perfer home comforts starbucks and McDonalds outlets can be found around the Champs-Eleysee's. Check out Notre Dam, The Louvre museum, La defense, The eiffel tower, Bastille and many many more sights. I have been to Paris twice and still have not seen everything!

How to get to the stadium....
The stadium is close to metro station Pont st Cloud, around a 10 minute walk away, turn right out of the stadium towards 'les princes' cafe and continue on until the concrete roofing comes into view. There are many bars and cafe's around the ground for the early arriver,simply sit back,relax and enjoy a coffee and a croissant.
Getting a ticket.....
The only real games that sell out for Paris St Germain are the grudge matches with Marseille and the big games with Lyon. Tickets are avaliable in all areas of the ground priced at around 25 euro's for the places behind the goal with the 'Boulougne Boys' or 30-60 euro's for the side seating. Tickets can be purchased online or bought on the day of the game.