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Portrait of Maurice Degrelle, winner of the 100 meters sprint at Stade Pershing, Paris, May 4, 1924

पर्शिंग स्टेडियम

Stade Pershing Paris: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Travel Guide

Date: 03/07/2025

Introduction

Stade Pershing, located in the verdant Bois de Vincennes in Paris’s 12th arrondissement, stands as both a testament to Franco-American friendship and a living hub of Parisian sports culture. Originally constructed in 1919 to commemorate the Allied victory in World War I, the stadium has played host to milestone sporting events and evolved into a vibrant multi-sport complex. Today, it offers visitors not only athletic facilities but also a journey through modern history amid one of Paris’s most beautiful parks. This detailed guide provides an overview of Stade Pershing’s historical significance, practical visitor information (including opening hours and ticketing), accessibility, and nearby attractions to help you plan a memorable visit (Tripomatic; Surlatouche; Petit Futé; Wikipedia).

1924 Scottish national rugby team group portrait at Pershing Stadium Paris

Historic French national rugby team 1924 with captain René Crabos holding the ball at Stade Pershing, Paris

Rugby match between France and Scotland with a view of a parking lot in Bois de Vincennes, Paris, January 1, 1924

1924 rugby match between France and Scotland at Stade Pershing in Paris Bois de Vincennes

René Wiriath winning 1500m race at Stade Pershing, Bois de Vincennes, Paris, June 1, 1925

Historical black and white photograph of Lille hockey team players standing and sitting on snow at Pershing Stadium in Paris, 1929

1929 team photo of Boulogne-sur-Mer field hockey players in Paris Bois de Vincennes on a snowy day

1929 Paris Université Club field hockey team group portrait in snow at Bois de Vincennes Paris

Football match between France and England at Stade Pershing in Paris, 1923

Football match between France and England at Pershing Stadium in Paris, 1923

Football match between France and England at Stade Pershing in Paris, Bois de Vincennes on May 10, 1923

Historic football team England 1923 Stade Pershing Paris

1923 French Football Team Portrait at Pershing Stadium Paris Bois de Vincennes

Long-distance running race in Bois de Vincennes, Paris, 1925

Marcelle Neveu winning the women's cross-country race at the Stade Pershing in Paris on February 11, 1923

Female runners competing in a women's cross-country race at Stade Pershing in Bois de Vincennes, Paris, February 11, 1923

Female runners competing in an international cross-country race in Bois de Vincennes, Paris

Belgian national football team players posing for a portrait in Stade Pershing, Paris, 1926

Vintage black and white team football photo featuring Guillaume Lieb from the French national team at Stade Pershing, Paris, 1926

Crowd of spectators at a football association match between France and Belgium at Stade Pershing, Bois de Vincennes, Paris, on April 11, 1926

Football match between France and Belgium at Stade Pershing, Paris, 1926

1926 football match between France and Belgium at Pershing Stadium in Paris

Football team Valentigney Doubs France at Stade Pershing September 11 1927 black and white group photo

Vintage black and white photo of Valentigney football team posing at Pershing Stadium in Paris, 1927

Vintage football match at Stade Pershing in Paris featuring Red Star and Olympique teams on February 12, 1922

Historic football match at Stade Pershing in Paris featuring Red Star and Olympique teams on February 12, 1922

Historic football match between France and Switzerland at Pershing Stadium in Paris on April 22, 1923

Paavo Nurmi winning a running competition at Pershing Stadium in Paris, 1923

Portrait of Robert, winner of the 5000m race at Stade Pershing, Paris, 1925

Portrait of André Théard, winner of the 80 meters race in the first category at Stade Pershing, Paris, May 10, 1925

Géo André finishing 400 meters hurdles race at Stade Pershing, Paris, 1920 French Athletics Championships

Armand Burtin finishing 1500m race at Stade Pershing Paris July 1920 French Athletics Championship

Paul Esparbès arriving in the 800 meter race at Stade Pershing, Paris, July 18, 1920

Start of marathon race at Stade Pershing, Paris, 1920

High jump event at Stade Pershing, Paris, July 18, 1920, featuring athlete Géo André

Pierre Lewden high jump at Stade Pershing during French Athletics Championships, Paris 1920

Portrait of female British athlete Mlle Thompson, winner of the 100 yards, at Stade Pershing, Paris, 1923

Female British athlete Miss Lowman winner of high jump at Stade Pershing Paris 1923

Portrait of Edouard Max-Robert running 110m hurdles at Stade Pershing, Paris, 1931

Portrait photograph of runners Paavo Nurmi and Lucien Duquesne at Stade Pershing, Paris, 1923

Portrait of runner Decaux from Rouen, winner of 1000 meters race at Stade Pershing, Paris, 1925

Black and white group portrait of athletes including Marcel Orfidan at Stade Pershing in Bois de Vincennes, Paris, circa 1920

Portrait of athletes Protais, Leroy, and Audinot at Stade Pershing in Bois de Vincennes, Paris, circa 1920

Black and white photo of athletes Henri Dozolme, Gustave Remoué, and Écuyer at Stade Pershing Paris during 1920

Portrait of athletes at Stade Pershing, 400m hurdles runners, Paris Bois de Vincennes, circa 1920

Portraits of athletes Langrenay Frédéric, Jeyer (Robert Geyer), and Guillar running at Stade Pershing in Bois de Vincennes, Paris, 1920

Historic black and white group portrait of French athletes Argouac'h Kléber, Robert Goullieux, and Deullé taken at Stade Pershing, Bois de Vincennes, Paris, circa 1920

George McCrae training at Pershing Stadium, Bois de Vincennes, Paris, May 1921

Black and white photograph of George McCrae, Scottish runner, training at Stade Pershing in Bois de Vincennes, Paris, May 1921

Introduction
Origins and Construction
Historical Highlights
Decline and Transformation
Modern Facilities and Visitor Information
Getting There and Accessibility
Events and Nearby Attractions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
References

Origins and Construction

Stade Pershing’s story begins in the aftermath of World War I. Conceived as the venue for the 1919 Inter-Allied Games—a celebration of Allied unity through sport—the stadium was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers after the original French contractor faced labor disputes. The stadium was officially inaugurated on June 22, 1919, with its deed symbolically handed from the YMCA to General John J. Pershing, then to French Minister Georges Leygues as a gift from the United States. This act cemented the stadium’s role as a symbol of enduring Franco-American friendship and international cooperation (Surlatouche).

Historical Highlights

The Inter-Allied Games (1919)

The inaugural event at Stade Pershing was the Inter-Allied Games, featuring athletes from more than a dozen Allied nations. With a capacity of around 29,000 spectators, it was the largest and most modern venue in France at the time, embodying the spirit of peace and unity on the postwar stage (Tripomatic; Surlatouche).

Football and International Events

Stade Pershing became the premier venue for French football in the early 1920s. The French national team played its first match here on May 5, 1921—coinciding with the centenary of Napoleon’s death—and achieved a historic 2-1 victory over England’s amateur team. The stadium hosted several Coupe de France finals, further establishing its national significance (Surlatouche; Tripomatic).

The First Women’s World Games (1922)

In 1922, Stade Pershing hosted the first ever Women’s World Games, a pioneering event in the development of women’s athletics. This provided a crucial international platform at a time when female participation in sports faced many barriers (Tripomatic).

The 1924 Summer Olympics

Although the main Olympic events in 1924 were held at Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Stade Pershing played a key role by hosting several football matches, maintaining its international profile and further rooting itself in Olympic history (Surlatouche).

Decline and Transformation

Despite its early prominence, the stadium experienced a gradual decline in the late 1920s and 1930s. The Paris Université Club (PUC) became a principal tenant but major events grew rarer. The stadium did host notable rugby league matches and large-scale athletic gatherings, but the outbreak of World War II and subsequent material shortages led to deterioration and eventual closure of the stands (Surlatouche).

Ambitious plans to expand or rebuild the stadium—including proposals for an 80,000-seat arena—were repeatedly thwarted by financial, political, and logistical obstacles. In the 1960s, the original stadium was demolished, and the area was redeveloped as a multi-sport complex (Surlatouche).

Modern Facilities and Visitor Information

Today, Stade Pershing is a thriving multi-sport complex offering facilities for football, athletics, handball, basketball, baseball, and softball. Recent renovations have modernized the complex, including a new six-lane, 400-meter athletics track and upgraded amenities for para-athletes (Petit Futé; PariSeine).

Visiting Hours:

Typically open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 or 9:00 PM.
Hours may vary due to events or maintenance. Always check the latest schedule via the official website or local sports listings.

Tickets and Entry:

Recreational access to outdoor facilities is free.
Major events or competitions may require tickets, available via organizers or at the venue.

Accessibility:

Fully accessible, with ramps, wide paths, and adapted restrooms.
On-site parking is available, although limited; public transportation is recommended.

Visitor Amenities:

Changing rooms and showers (basic but functional)
Spectator seating and open spaces
Accessibility features for visitors with reduced mobility

Photography:

Permitted for personal use. Professional shoots require prior authorization.

Getting There and Accessibility

Address: Avenue du Tremblay, 75012 Paris, France

By Metro:

Line 1: Château de Vincennes station (approx. 10–15 min walk)
Line 8: Porte Dorée station (approx. 20 min walk)

By RER:

RER A: Vincennes station

By Bus:

Lines 46, 112, and 325 serve the Bois de Vincennes

By Bicycle:

Paris’s Vélib’ bike-sharing stations are nearby; the Bois de Vincennes is bike-friendly

By Car:

Limited parking available inside the park; public transport is recommended, especially during events

For up-to-date public transport information, visit the RATP official website.

Events and Nearby Attractions

Events: Stade Pershing regularly hosts local and international sporting events—check with local clubs like Paris Université Club (PUC) or the Paris Patriots Baseball Club for schedules. The site also periodically serves as a training venue for major competitions, including para-athletic events.

Nearby Attractions:

Bois de Vincennes: Expansive park with lakes, walking trails, and picnic spots
Parc Floral de Paris: Renowned botanical gardens
Château de Vincennes: Medieval fortress open for tours
Paris Zoological Park: Family-friendly attraction within the park
Lac Daumesnil: Ideal for boating and relaxation

Dining options are available near Château de Vincennes and along Avenue Daumesnil.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are Stade Pershing’s visiting hours? A: Typically open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 or 9:00 PM. Confirm with the latest schedule before visiting.

Q: Are tickets required to visit? A: Recreational use is free. Tickets are required for special events or competitions.

Q: Is Stade Pershing accessible for visitors with reduced mobility? A: Yes, with ramps, accessible restrooms, and adapted seating.

Q: Are guided tours available? A: Not regularly, but self-guided visits are encouraged. Special tours may be organized during events.

Q: Can I take photos at the stadium? A: Personal photography is allowed; professional shoots require permission.

Conclusion

Stade Pershing is more than just a sports complex—it is a living monument to Parisian history, international friendship, and community spirit. Its unique location in the Bois de Vincennes offers visitors a tranquil, green setting to enjoy both sports and culture. Whether you attend a match, jog around the new athletics track, or simply explore the surrounding park, Stade Pershing is a must-visit for anyone seeking a blend of heritage and modern recreation in Paris. For the latest updates on visiting hours, tickets, and events, consult official resources before your visit.