By Mark H
March 20 2007

For those of you travelling to the Auvergne region for our European Challenge Cup quarter final against Clermont Auvergne in a week or so's time, here's a few pointers for you.

As there aren't any airlines that fly directly to Clermont Ferrand from the UK anymore, I'll focus more on the trains this time around.  The only train to go to Clermont on the day, allowing for not having to have an overnight stop in France, is the 1231 from Paris Gare de Lyon, arriving in Clermont at 1608.  For a 6pm kick off this is indeed tight.  To get from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon for the Clermont train, follow the signs for RER Line D, and Gare de Lyon is two stops away - a single metro ticket will cover this, as the journey remains in the city.

 

The excellent Cybervulcans site (like us, only in French), has a map of the route from the station to the ground, and reckon that it's approximately 25 minutes on foot to the Stade Marcel Michelin.  It may be worth (if you haven't already got accommodation) looking at something near the station (a friend recommends Hotel Albert-Elizabeth, two minutes away) or seeing if the station has luggage lockers to collect from later.  This varies across France; some do, most don't - and there's nothing that I've found on the interweb to suggest one way of the other.  The tourist office also has an offer on at the moment that if you stay two nights (including a Saturday), you only have to pay for one if you go through their offer process.

 

I'm told (I have to wait until May to find out) that the train journey from Paris is very picturesque.  I hope it's a good day when you and I go, as it may be the last relaxation session of both of our days.

 

At the ground itself, there's a reasonably large club shop, called "Espace Jaune et Bleu", which does all of your usual souvenir requirements (yes, including badges).  The ground has changed a bit since Falcons were last there - the two huge stands down the side of the pitch remain (the Presidentielle and the Auvergne), but there will be the official opening of the new North Stand on the day of the game, it having been tested in their 24-14 friendly win over Perpignan at the start of the month.

 

The l'Equipe restaurant guide recommends four bars/restaurants in the town (so Leipy doesn't have to eat pizza), being:-

 

L'Atelier, 1 place du 1er Mai - a restaurant 300 metres from the stadium;

 

le Bougnat, 29 rue des Chaussiers - based in the centre of Clermont, allegedly frequented by the players after the game;

 

le Caveau, 1 rue Tour-la-Monnaie - a specialist in regional food, and;

 

le Gormen's Cafe, 79 avenue Edouard-Michelin - a student bar facing the stadium, formerly owned by Sale coach and ASM legend Philippe Saint-Andre.

 

If you're coming back on the Eurostar and you haven't done it before, as so often seems to be found overseas the departure side has very few outlets - a newsagent, a perfume shop, a couple of takeaway baguette/coffee places, and a small, overpriced bar.  The selection is much better on the main concourse, or even (if you have time) wander out of the station to any of the bars or shops outside the station - you'll get what you see, cheap and cheerful, but sometimes that's all that's needed.

 

Some useful links:-

 

Clermont tourist site - http://www.ot-clermont-ferrand.fr/index_uk.htm

 

ASM official site - http://www.asm-rugby.com/index.php

 

Cybervulcans supporters site - http://www.cybervulcans.net/spip/