Stade René Gaillard, Sports venue in Niort, France
Stade René Gaillard is a sports facility with a capacity of approximately 10,900 spectators, featuring a grass field measuring 344 feet by 223 feet (105 meters by 68 meters) and surrounded by an eight-lane synthetic athletics track that extends 1,312 feet (400 meters) in length.
The stadium was constructed between 1973 and 1974 and officially opened on August 3, 1974, serving as the home ground for Chamois Niortais FC until the club's dissolution in 2025, with its record attendance of 16,715 spectators occurring during a match against Olympique de Marseille in the 1987-88 season.
The venue honors René Gaillard and was originally named Stade de la Venise Verte after the nearby Verdant Venice area, a marshy region known for its natural beauty and ecological significance to the local community.
The facility is located at 105 Avenue de la Venise Verte and includes eight changing rooms with communal showers, a multi-purpose hall for receptions, and two supplementary fields for training and local competitions, with municipal sports services available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The stadium covers an area of approximately 21.5 acres (8.7 hectares) and features an advanced lighting system with 1,300 lux, enabling nighttime events while maintaining optimal visibility for both players and spectators during evening matches and athletic competitions.
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