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Lens City Guide
England play their opening match of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in Lens, a former coal mining town with distinctive pyramid-shaped slag heaps that can be seen for miles around. These ‘pyramids’ may have been a factor in city winning the bid for the new satellite Louvre gallery - due for completion in 2009. Lens will host England, USA, South Africa, Georgia and Namibia.
England will play their first pool game against USA at the Stade Felix Bollaert, named after the director of coal mines who commissioned the project. Lens is traditionally a football-supporting city with a team that regularly finishes at the top of the French league. The team’s motto ‛sang et or“ (blood and gold) is emblazoned on stadium hoardings.
The stadium is a 15-minute walk from Gare de Lens station. Across from the station are a few of bars and restaurants that will be packed with rugby fans having a brew before walking to the stadium.
Unfortunately, Lens doesn’t have many activities (or hotels) for tourists, and it is advisable that you stay in nearby Arras or Lille. Both cities have plenty of sights for the visitor to enjoy: Lille is larger and more lively with good shops and markets. Arras is smaller, but very pretty, centred around two interconnecting squares of buildings with Flemish/Dutch style facades. Both city options are detailed in the Official Travel Guide.
Click here for accomdation in Lens for the England vs USA game from England Rugby Travel
This text was adapted from the offical guide, why not buy it online at the Rugby Store by clicking on the book image now. Priced only Ј11.99
