Patinoire de Poissompré, Indoor ice rink in Épinal, France
The Poissompré ice rink is an indoor facility with a skating surface designed for both recreational skating and competitive ice hockey. The building has changing rooms and areas for people of different skill levels to practice.
Skating in Épinal began in 1906 with the Sports d'Hivers Spinaliens, who used the frozen Poissompré pond, named for its many fish. The first rink opened on the drained pond on 3 December 1970, inaugurated on 20 December. In 1979 the hockey club won the Division 2 French title, with 2,300 spectators at the Dijon match. A 2009 survey found the roof frame unsafe, so the building was demolished in 2010 and replaced by a new rink inaugurated on 4 September 2011.
The ice rink serves as a gathering place for skaters and hockey players from the wider area. Today it hosts competitions and group training sessions that shape how many local families spend their leisure time.
The rink sits on the drained Poissompré pond, and the 2011 rebuild lowered the roof from 16 m to 8 m, which allows the hall to be heated. Two stands hold 2,516 seats after the 2017 extension added 870 places, 12 private boxes and a shop. The ice hosts the Épinal Hockey Club, so check the calendar before casual skating sessions.
The rink stands on the drained Poissompré pond, which gave it its name; the pond was so called for the many fish it held. Skating here began in 1906 with the Sports d'Hivers Spinaliens, who used the frozen pond before semi-artificial ice was installed.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,630 contributors worldwide.