Map of the Stade de France: pitch, stands, seating
The Stade de France, in Saint-Denis to the north of Paris, is the largest venue in the country. It hosts large concerts such as sporting events, and switches between a configuration facing the field and a configuration facing a stage. This page explains how to read your plan to choose your placement: what the pitch and the different levels of stands cover, and how to decide between proximity and overview. The exact arrangement depends on each event.
Concert or sport: two readings of the plan
At the Stade de France, the plan reads differently depending on the event. In a sports configuration, everything converges towards the field and the stands encircle the playing area. In a concert configuration, a large stage is installed at one end: part of the lawn then becomes a spectator area (often standing), while the stands facing the stage become the best oriented. Identifying the position of the stage is therefore the first step to understanding your placement.
The main areas of the stadium
- The lawn: in concert, the area on the ground in front of the stage, generally standing; in sport, it is the field, not accessible to the public.
- The 'T0' lower stands 'T1': the first ring of seats, as close as possible to the action or the stage.
- The 'T0' middle stands 'T1': the intermediate ring, which often offers a good compromise between distance and overview.
- The high stands: the upper ring, the most overhanging, with a panoramic view but further away.
Choosing your concert placement
- 1
Set the scene
In concert, the stage occupies one end of the stadium. The stands facing it are generally the best oriented; those placed behind or very to the sides are less so.
- 2
Choose lawn or grandstand
The lawn offers proximity and ambiance, standing. The stands guarantee a seat and an overall view, wider as you go up into the rings.
- 3
Weigh the ring
Low stand for proximity, middle for balance, high for the panorama. The higher we go, the more distant the scene seems but the more the staging reads as a whole.
- 4
Control the orientation of the block
At the same distance, a block facing the stage is better than a block to the side. Check the angle on the official map before booking.
Placement marks (depending on configuration)
| Area | Position | You are rather there… | To be checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front lawn (concert) | On the ground, near the stage | At the heart of the atmosphere, very close, standing | If the access is standing and the depth of the area |
| Back lawn (concert) | On the ground, behind | In the mood, looking back on the scene | The real distance and the presence of giant screens |
| Low stand | First ring | Close to the stage or field | The orientation of the block facing the stage |
| Middle stand | Intermediate ring | Well balanced between distance and wide view | Height and angle depending on the side |
| High stand | Top ring | In panoramic view, further | Distance and angle in turns |
Indicative table. The names of the stands, the blocks open for sale and the numbering change for each event. Check out the official plan for your date.
Lawn or grandstand?
In concert, the lawn is closest to the stage, in the densest atmosphere, but it is a standing area where the view depends on your position in the crowd. The stands provide seating and a clear view of the entire plateau; the higher you go, the wider the panorama and the further away the scene becomes. For a large stadium, many spectators appreciate a well-oriented low or middle stand, which combines readability and comfort.