Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium

Here you are in front of the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, better known as “the Cauldron”, a landmark for the whole city, and far more than just a sports ground. In Saint-Étienne, football is a story of passion, pride, and local identity. AS Saint-Étienne, known as “Les Verts” or “the Greens,” was founded in 1933 by employees of the nearby Casino group. In fact, the club owes its jersey color to Casino itself: the green-and-white stripes were inspired by the awnings of the chain’s first stores. From the start, green was both a symbol of the local economy and a rallying cry for the fans. The club quickly became a legend in French football, enjoying a golden age in the 1960s and 70s. In total, the Greens have won 10 French championship titles, a national record that stood for decades, as well as 6 French Cups. And in 1976, they reached the final of the European Cup, the forerunner of today’s Champions League. It was a historic match, narrowly lost to Bayern Munich, but it forever sealed ASSE’s place in football history. Names like Rocheteau, Larqué, Curkovic, and Revelli still echo through the stands. Inaugurated in 1931, Geoffroy-Guichard grew alongside the club. Its electric atmosphere, fueled by the chants of devoted fans, earned it the nickname “the Cauldron.” One chant in particular is known by everyone: “Who are the best? Obviously, it’s the Greens!” If you can, go to a match, it’s an unforgettable experience, even for newcomers to the sport. And for the curious, the stadium also offers guided tours. Inside, you’ll find the Musée des Verts, the first museum in France entirely dedicated to a football club. It tells the story of ASSE through jerseys, videos, archives, trophies, and legendary memorabilia, capturing everything that has made this city’s heart beat for nearly a century. Here, green isn’t just a color, it’s a shout, a passion, a deep-rooted bond. A living legacy.