Long reserved exclusively for the players and staff of the French national team, Clairefontaine is finally opening its doors to the public. It is here that champions, from Zinédine Zidane to Kylian Mbappé, have prepared for their greatest feats. Today, this iconic site of French soccer is opening its doors for guided tours. An opportunity to discover what goes on behind the scenes, from the locker rooms to the famous château where Les Bleus reside.
Guided tours at the heart of this symbol of French sports
The immersive experience begins at the château, the players’ residence. During a two-hour tour, a guide shares stories that have left their mark on the center. For example, you’ll learn that the eleven steps of the main staircase, built in 1832, have nothing to do with the eleven players on a team. Another anecdote involves Zinédine Zidane, who, in 1996, funded a training course in Italy for the head chef so he could perfect the “al dente” cooking of pasta. More surprisingly, the guide reveals that Fabien Barthez’s favorite spot for tossing his cigarette butts was a simple bush in the park.
The tour continues through the common areas, from the “Le Mi-Temps” restaurant to the “Le Coup Franc” bar. You can even catch a glimpse of Kylian Mbappé’s or Ousmane Dembélé’s rooms from the outside. The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the locker rooms, where you can sit in your favorite player’s spot and check out the small barber’s corner set up for pre-game grooming. The tour ends at the Espace Bleu, a museum displaying jerseys, memorabilia, and a replica of the World Cup trophy.
This experience offers a deep dive into France’s sporting heritage. To participate, you must book tickets online via the official ticket office website of the French Football Federation, where the tour schedule is regularly updated.
📍 National Football Center, Domaine de Montjoye, 78120 Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines
