The World Cup in Occitanie, September 8 to October 28, 2023

From September 8 to October 28, 2023, the Rugby World Cup will take place in Occitanie. Occitanie will host the All Blacks, the Brave Blossoms, and the Flying Fijans at the Toulouse stadium. Occitanie, host region of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, will notably welcome New Zealand, the Fiji Islands and Japan, which has chosen it as a base camp for the training of its national team.

Calendar - Toulouse Stadium

• Sunday September 10: Japan - Chile - Pool D

• Friday September 15: New Zealand - Namibia - Pool A

• Saturday September 23: Georgia - Portugal - Pool C

• Thursday September 28: Japan - Samoa - Pool D

• Sunday October 8: Fiji - Portugal - Pool C

The history of rugby, from England to Toulouse

As we know, the game was invented at the rugby college (80km from London) in 1823. At the end of the 19th century, it went up the Garonne to the Prairie des Filtres in Toulouse where the students of the pink city are set to score tries on grass.

Occitanie, land of rugby

Occitanie has more than 70,000 licensees (out of 328,000 in France) spread across nearly 400 clubs. With more than 20,000 young people learning rugby in rugby schools scattered throughout the country. In addition, Occitanie is the French region that has the most professional clubs that have entered the elite with 4 teams in the Top 14 (1st division) and 4 teams in Pro D2 (2nd division).

Brennus' Shield

Created in 1892 to reward the winner of the French rugby championship. It has been won 61 times by 11 Occitanie clubs: US Carmaux, US Montauban, US Quillan, Castres Olympique.

Variation of rugby, for more conviviality

The culture of rugby is everywhere and is reflected in numerous activities and events. In Occitania, it is a pretext to democratize this sport by making it attractive and friendly.

For example: beach-rugby (practice on sand, it opposes two teams of 5 players), waterugby (on a floating platform 40 meters long and 35 meters wide, with a key element, to to register a test you have to jump into the water.

This tournament is unique in the world and has taken place every year in Toulouse since 2019, on the Garonne and brings together big names in French rugby such as Cédric Heymans, Emile N'tamack, Imanol Harinordoquy, Dimitry Yachivili, Vincent Clerc.

What to do in nearby Occitania?

You will find great sites in Occitania, pretty towns, monuments and villages, hikes, relaxation/well-being and other ideas for family and friends.

• Albi: episcopal city classified as a UNESCO world heritage site.

• Moissac: the city of Romanesque art, cradle of AOC Chasselas grapes.

• At the Sources of the Canal du Midi (Sorèze, Revel, Lac de Saint Ferréol): three sites located within a radius of less than 10km, to travel from the sources of knowledge to the sources of the Canal du Midi.

• Medieval cities - Foix Montségur: a special case in the Grands Sites Occitanie fault line, made up of several remarkable sites among the Château de Foix.

• Carcassonne: with its lively medieval city of restaurants, bars, shops, you will find the count's castle inside which you can visit, and in summer the city festival throughout the month of July.

Ideas for walks near Toulouse

Between Ariège and Coteaux: south-east of Toulouse, directly above the Ariège river, a hilly area criss-crossed by pedestrian loops starting from the villages of Lacroix, Aureville and Goyans. Walks and hikes in the Frontennais: several circuits available from 5 to 14 km, between vineyards, villages and forests. You can also enjoy bike rides from Toulouse.

Visit museums, from Montauban to Albi

• European Bell Art Museum - Isle-Jourdain, unique in France, museum dedicated to bells through time and civilisation.

• Ingres Museum - Bourdelle, Montauban Toulouse Lautrec Museum, Albi.

• Wood and Marquetry Museum, Revel: the story of the local wood and marquetry craftsmen who have contributed to Revel's international fame.

Zoo's and theme parks

• African Safari: 20 shaded hectares where some 600 wild animals are happy.

• The Village Gaulois, on the banks of the Garonne, a shady natural site where a reconstituted Gallic village.

• Agrip Aventure, Montech, in the Agre forest.