Rugby World Cup, Paris Madness?
 

The RWC is Sep/Oct in Paris. We were planning to go to Paris the last week in Sept. Does anyone know if it will be overbooked, and more expensive?? I already saw one hotel website that is raising it's rates $20 dollars/night with 4/night minimums. Should I forget Paris at this time??

The rugby World Cup, even though staged in France, will actually have games played in Wales and Scotland as well (2 in Wales and 1 in Scotland).

Two stadia are being used in Paris - the Parc des Princes and St Denis (on opposite ends of the city). The heaviest weekends in Paris will be 29-30 Sept 13/14 Oct and 19/20 Oct when the quater finals, semi finals and Final (and third place play-off) will be played.

The only other dates with games in Paris are 9 Sept (South Africa v Samoa) and 19 Sept (Italy v Minor qualifier).

Paris has enough hotels to cope with the minor games, but will inevitably be busy for the later stages when teams with exceptional followings like Australia and New Zealand are sure to feature along with the hosts.

I wouldn't forget Paris as major cities absorb crowds and the place won't be taken over as in the football world cup. Saying that, Cardiff was completely taken over when they staged the finals but then again it is a much, much smaller city. However, as you've found out, prices will be hiked and it is up to you how much you're willing to pay. What I wouldn't think, though, is that the WC would totally ruin your stay in Paris (although avoid the final weekend).

Just to add (please.....tongue in cheek), knowing the French, if there is a large crowd that needs to be mobilised, you can guarantee that they'll have a transport strike :-d

Whilst I totally agree with most of what AR says, I think he must be attending a different tournament to the one I'm going to.

England play (tba), Scotland play Italy and Ireland play Argentina in Paris on 28th, 29th and 30th in the last of the pool games. You can expect all but Argentina to have a decent travelling support.

Whilst other countries will have big supports with them, France Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are both in the South that weekend



42 06/10/2007 W Pool C RU Pool D QF2 Cardiff
43 07/10/2007 W Pool A RU Pool B QF3 Marseille
44 07/10/2007 W Pool D RU Pool C QF4 St Denis
45 13/10/2007 W QF1 W QF2 SF1 St Denis
46 14/10/2007 W QF3 W QF4 SF2 St Denis
47 19/10/2007 3rd/4th Paris
48 20/10/2007 Final St Denis

That went wrong. Sorry. Wales is also out of Paris, so unless you're worried about being mobbed by shopping wives (I shouldn't do that, should I?) you are unlikely to have ahard time.

The quarters aren't till the next weekend.

I'm not going to any of the games, but I am heading to France when they're on, specifically for the purpose of watching them there.

Same tournament Sheila. Read it again and you'll see that I have included the 28-30th Sept as a heavy weekend.
My error was in calling that particular weekend the QFs.

What I did miss out is that one of the QFs will be played in Paris on 7th Oct.

I also refer to Australia, France and New Zealand as having large support when they feature in the "later stages". Of course, neither Scotland nor England will be still involved in the competition at that stage :S-

Thank you to AR and Sheila; very helpful info, indeed! From what you say, I feel confident we can book before that final week in Sept, to avoid any perceived inconvenience. Thanks again!