Early Modern · Architecture

Stade Pierre de Coubertin

Paris

Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin is a multi-sports arena in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, near Boulogne-Billancourt. Named after Pierre de Coubertin, it was inaugurated in 1937 as part of the Universal Exposition and is described as the first covered multisport stadium built in France. The hall was rebuilt in 1946 after the Second World War and renovated in 1990.

The venue has hosted a wide range of sporting events and competitions. It was used for the first international match of the French men’s volleyball team in 1938, and the French men’s basketball team also played there that same year. Later, it became a regular site for basketball, fencing, badminton, tennis, judo, rowing, dance hip-hop, savate, and futsal events. Since 2007, it has hosted the Internationaux de France de Badminton, and since 2005 it has hosted the Open LFB. The stadium is served by Port de Saint-Cloud metro station on line 9.

Map showing the location of Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin in Paris
Location of Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin in Paris

Nearby Objects

Location and Access

Stade Pierre de Coubertin is a multi-sports arena named after Pierre de Coubertin. It is located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, near Boulogne-Billancourt. The venue is served by Port de Saint-Cloud metro station on line 9, providing public transport access to the site.

History of the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium

The Pierre de Coubertin stadium was inaugurated in 1937 as part of the Universal Exposition. Histoire notes that the stadium and the nearby Saint-Cloud gate fountains were both inaugurated that same year. After the Second World War, the hall was rebuilt in 1946. It was renovated again in 1990, marking another stage in the building's history.

A Multisport Hall With a Long Event History

Histoire describes Stade Pierre de Coubertin as the first covered multisport stadium built in France. Its history includes a wide range of sporting and public uses across several decades. In 1938, it hosted the first international match of the French men's volleyball team, and the French men's basketball team also played there that same year. The stadium was later used for the Fete du printemps, organized by the Front revolutionnaire national on March 31, 1944, and for the first Paris judo tournament on December 21, 1946. Since 2000, that judo tournament has been held at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy.

The site also has a more politically charged history: in October 1961, French police used Coubertin to detain Algerian demonstrators after the October 17 massacre. From the 1990s onward, the stadium became a regular venue for club and international sport. Paris Saint-Germain Handball and the club's basketball section chose it as their match site during that decade, while Paris Levallois also played there before moving to Marcel-Cerdan Sports Palace.

The hall has hosted a steady calendar of recurring competitions. Since 2005, it has hosted the Open LFB, the first day of the French Women's Basketball League championship. It also annually hosts two fencing World Cup events, the Challenge Monal in May and the Paris International Foil Challenge in January. From 1993 to 2014, it hosted the Open GDF Suez women's tennis tournament in February. Since 2007, it has held the IFB, the Internationaux de France de Badminton, one of twelve tournaments in the BWF Super Series. The World Badminton Championships were also held there from August 23 to August 30, 2014.

Other events have included the Rencontre internationale de danse hip-hop in February 2007, the Open de Paris d'aviron indoor competition in December, the final of the French Elite Savate Boxe Francaise Championship 2009, the Gol de letra futsal charity tournament chaired by RaI, the French men's volleyball championship finals in 2011 and 2012, and the 2014 French basketball and handibasket cup finals.

Renovations and Accessibility Upgrades

In summer 2016, Stade Pierre de Coubertin underwent facility modifications so PSG Handball could host Champions League matches there from the 2016-2017 season. The renovation expanded the side spaces, relocated the press tribune behind the players, and replaced foldable chairs with fixed seats. During the same customization works, PSG Handball installed red and blue seats modeled after those at Parc des Princes. In 2023, the stadium received further accessibility upgrades, including ramps, elevators, compliant stands and toilets, and sensory-friendly signage. A quiet zone was also created for people with autistic disorders. These improvements cost over 7 million euros. The venue also served as a training site for trampoline and artistic gymnastics events for the 2024 Olympic Games.