Transport to the match
First observation, obviously most people travel to the games on the Metro (4 Cantons/Line M1). But as an adopted Frenchie, I’m happy to admit the return trip from the Chile game was horrendous! Total chaos, and not helped by our usually highly fierce and efficient Gendarmes standing around doing nothing. Be warned.
The problem is the Metro was built long before the stadium, and was supposed to be upgraded, but never has been. It’s usually very efficient, but the actual trains are quite small, so it just gets overloaded.
Only advice I can give, is look on a map and consider getting back on the Metro at any of the three earlier stations: Cité Scientifique Pr Gabillard, Triolo, Villeneuve D’Ascq. All a very similar walking distance from the stadium to 4 Cantons, but probably not signposted. The trains will be busy, but we forced our way on after walking back to Villeneuve D’Ascq, in the commercial centre.
Anecdotally the transport after the Scotland game last Saturday was better. When going to the game, it might be worth avoiding Gare Lille-Flandres in favour of Place Rihour, one stop back. There’s more travel info on the RWC/stadium site, https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/venues/stade-pierre-mauroy.
Parking at the stadium. OK, I’ll be honest I’m a bit wary about saying this, but hopefully it’s true! I’ve been to lots of LOSC and French national team football matches at Pierre Mauroy. I’ve never paid for parking or had a problem parking. The stadium is in a light industrial park area, which is deserted at weekends, so there is actually a lot of street parking. And also it’s quite close to the commercial centre of Villeneuve D’Ascq (V2). There are huge amounts of (free) parking at the Commercial Centre, the Auchan store is open until 21.30, so the car park is too. The stadium is also close to Leroy Merlin (like B&Q) which has a large car park and is open until 20.00. And also close to the Parc Heron commercial centre, which is open 24 hours. Plus, there’s plenty of street parking all over the place. There is some talk about the V2 car park being controlled on match days, but I can’t get a definitive answer, and I’m not sure how they would do it. Please check. I’ll post an update if I hear anything definitive.
Getting around Lille
There are two metro lines and two tramlines. Plus buses. All the centre is walkable and mostly pedestrianised. Tickets/passes can be bought at all stations, and can be bought inline (https://e-boutique.ilevia.fr/fr/27-tarifs). It runs until midnight.
There are taxi ranks at Gare Lille-Flandres. Uber, etc., do exist, but in my experience not on anything like the scale of similar UK cities; probably French employment law. Expect impressive surge pricing. If you’re going to use taxis, I’d book from a ‘normal’ taxi company. There are plenty if you do a Google search. Obvious pick-up points at the stadium would be to cross over Boulevard de Tournai, and meet at one of the shops/their car parks close to the stadium.
Transport to Lille
Getting to and from Lille. Obviously, you’ll have booked what you’ve booked. Just some general observations. Gare Lille-Europe (Eurostar) is fairly central, about a three-minute walk from Gare Lille-Flandres, the regional hub, and on the Metro (line M2/red). If you’re heading back on Eurostar, the actual international part of the station is quite small, so expect to queue. UK (and French) passports checks are done there. Once through, the lounge is small with a small ‘Relay’ shop: basic sandwiches, drinks, confectionary and cigarettes.
If you’re travelling by bus (Flixbus, etc.) they stop and pick-up outside Lille-Europe.
If you’re travelling by ferry or Eurotunnel, it’s all fairly obvious. However, be aware that the major roads that approach and go through the city often have variable and/or constantly changing speed limits. So, you can quickly go from 130kph to 110 to 90 to 70. And there are lots of cameras which are quite hard to spot (Waze is pretty good). Street parking in Lille is mostly paid for in the centre. And there are quite a few, very central, underground car parks, for example underneath the fan zone in Grand Place.
Crit Air sticker. There’s some confusion, but it’s been delayed, so you don’t need a Crit Air sticker for your car in Lille until 2025.
Lille RWC Guide 