Is Clermont-Ferrand a real football city? No. Does Clermont Foot have a rich history as a football club? No, not either. But the Stade Gabriel Montpied is with a bullet the most special stadium in Ligue 1, and Clermont Foot is very likable anyway.
When you think of Clermont-Ferrand, you weren't probably thinking about football too. If you think of the city in Central France in terms of sports, most people think of the city being a regular finish place for stages of the Tour de France, or because of the respected rugby club. Local football team Clermont Foot didn't usually attract more than 3000 fans to the stadium before the corona pandemic, but the tables have turned: Clermont Foot 63 promoted for the first time in club history to Ligue 1.
The in the northern part of Clermont-Ferrand located Stade Gabriel-Montpied can be seen from far away. The big arch construction - which symbolizes a human eye - contrasts heavily with the green hills of the Auvergne, and there's little buildings surrounding the stadium. Coming closer, you might wonder where they left the rest of the stadium. The arch is part of a giant main stand, but there nothing much more built. The other three stands are small and uncovered. The plan is to complete it and turn Gabriel Montpied into a multifunctional stadium with 30.000 seats, but first, Clermont Foot need to become a regular side in Ligue 1.
If you consider Clermont Foot as being an old or a young club, depends on which criteria you use. The precursor of the club, Stade Clermontois, was already founded in 1911. But after the second bankruptcy in 1990, they started to use the current name. Stade Clermontois played for years at the Stade Philippe-Marcombes, in the south of Clermont-Ferrand, and the first game of Clermont Foot in 1990 was played there as well. The stadium at the Avenue de la Libération 121 has been renovated completely in recent days, which removed the velodrome surrounding the pitch, but Stade Clermontois still play their home matches here.
In het crest of Clermont Foot you see the silhouet of a knight in shining armor displayed. It's Vercingetorix, a Gaulish king from the Auvergne who fought against the Romans. It's an image that every Clermontois recognizes, because on the central Place de Jaude, you'll find a giant statue of Vercingetorix. On this square are also the biggest sport victories of the city celebrated - earlier, 100.000 fans of the rugby team already came to celebrate a the national title. An amazing sight, with Vercingetorix high above the crowd, with a sword in his hand.
As yet, football club Clermont Foot can't live up to rugby club ASM Clermont of the city in terms of success, but still, both teams like to team up a little. In 2017, they even opened a training ground together, in the south of the city. ASM Clermont has currently the biggest stadium of Clermont-Ferrand, Stade Marcel Michelin. Clermont Football used to play their home matches here as well, in the 80s of last century. The surprisingly fun stadium is located at the Rue du Clos Four.
For home games of Clermont Foot you can buy your tickets at the official website of the club. Make sure to get them early, because of the small capacity of Gabriel Montpied it's very quickly sold out.
Stade Gabriel Montpied is in the north of Clermont-Ferrand and easy to reach by car: it's not far from motorway A71. When you go by public transport, the connections are very good as well. Tramline A goes from the city center directly to the stadium, to stop Stade Gabriel Montpied, right in front of the stadium.
Images: Shutterstock, BSR Agency
