Musée des Verts

In the heart of the sporting life of Saint-Étienne lies a unique destination — the Musée des Verts (The Greens' Museum). This is the first museum in France created in honor of a single football club, the legendary AS Saint-Étienne. Located in the corner of the stands of the famous Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, nicknamed "The Cauldron" for its fierce atmosphere, the museum covers 800 m² and carefully preserves the memory of the team's great victories.

Musée des Verts. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

Inside, eight themed halls await visitors, showcasing thousands of unique items: from gleaming trophies to players' personal belongings. Among the most valuable exhibits are the Mercedes car of legendary goalkeeper Ivan Ćurković and the boots Rachid Mekhloufi wore in the 1968 French Cup final. A special place in the collection is held by more than 150 match jerseys from different eras, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of the club's style.

Following a full renovation in 2021, the museum now features modern interactive scenography that transforms a standard tour into an exciting journey. Whether you are a passionate fan or simply a curious traveler, this place will help you understand why football has become an integral part of this region's cultural DNA.

To clarify information about special events or to book group visits, you can use the museum's official communication channels. The staff is always ready to help tourists plan the perfect visit.

Visitors can look forward to a deep immersion into football culture: you can see the famous trophy room firsthand along with artifacts that marked the club's golden era in the 1970s. Be sure to find those famous "square posts" and look at the personal items belonging to football stars from throughout the years. Thanks to interactive screens and updated scenography, history comes alive right before your eyes, letting you feel the excitement of the great derbies.

For those who want to learn more, various tour formats are available. You can use an audio guide for independent exploration or book a combined tour that includes a behind-the-scenes walk through the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. Guided group tours reveal many anecdotes and club secrets that can't be found in guidebooks.

The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions — for example, in 2025, the display is dedicated to the work of Philippe Massegin, a photographer who captured the club's history for many years. After viewing the main collection, stop by the souvenir shop to pick up mementos with "The Greens" branding, or relax in the cozy waiting area.

Reaching this football sanctuary from the city center is quite easy. The most convenient way is to use the modern tram system. Lines T1 and T2 will take you directly to the "Geoffroy Guichard" stop, which is just a few steps away from the legendary stadium.

If you prefer to drive, the trip from the city center takes about 10–15 minutes. Parking is available for visitors directly at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, including dedicated spaces for tour buses. The exact address for your GPS is: 14 Rue Paul et Pierre Guichard.

For those who enjoy walking, the route from central Saint-Étienne is approximately 2–3 kilometers. This is a great opportunity to see the city's residential neighborhoods and soak up the atmosphere before the stands of "The Cauldron" rise before you.

The history of this site is inextricably linked with the name of Geoffroy Guichard, the founder of the Casino company, who did not just create a football team but laid the foundation for a true sporting legend. Opened in December 2013, the Musée des Verts became the first in France to be entirely dedicated to the history of a single football club.

One of the most dramatic and talked-about exhibits is the famous "square posts." They became the symbol of the 1976 European Cup final in Glasgow. To this day, fans debate: if the goalposts at Hampden Park had been round, Saint-Étienne would surely have beaten Bayern Munich.

The museum's collection covers all of the club's "golden" periods, including its ten French championship titles. In 2021, the space underwent a major renovation, making the scenography more modern and immersive while preserving the spirit of past victories and the personal stories of players who became icons for generations of French people.

For a standard tour of the museum, which includes using an audio guide and exploring the eight themed rooms, visitors typically need about 1.5–2 hours. This is enough time to carefully examine the trophies and read about the stories of key matches.

If you decide to complement your visit with a full stadium tour and check out the temporary exhibitions, you should plan for at least 3 hours. For true football fans wanting to study every detail and browse the souvenir shop, the visit could easily last half a day.

The museum primarily welcomes guests in the afternoon, making it convenient to combine a city walk with a stadium visit. Please note the standard operating hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday – Saturday: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Sunday: Closed

It is important to keep in mind that on match days or during major events at the stadium, opening hours may be significantly extended for the convenience of fans. It is recommended to check the current schedule on the official museum website before your visit.

A walk around the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium is a great way to start the day, and exploring nearby locations will allow you to see Saint-Étienne from different perspectives — from active recreation to quiet urban corners.