Bercy Arena – POPB
The Bercy Arena, formerly the Parc Omnisports de Paris Bercy (POPB), is a stadium on the western side of the Parc de Bercy, the second-largest public park in Paris, developed on the site of former wine warehouses belonging to the City of Paris.
In 1979, the City of Paris commissioned architects Jean Prouvé, Andrault-Parat, and Guvan to design the Bercy Arena. Construction began in 1981, and the official inauguration took place on February 3, 1984, presided over by the Mayor of Paris, Jacques Chirac.
The Bercy Arena is characterised by its imposing pyramidal structure of glass and metal, covered with synthetic turf, making it one of the most iconic architectural landmarks in Paris.
It includes a large main hall as well as several smaller venues, including an ice rink named the Patinoire Sonja Henie.
An impressive architecture
It hosted its first sporting event, the Les Six Jours de Paris – Six Days of Paris cycling race, on its opening day. The heavy metal band Scorpions gave the venue’s first concert on February 29, 1984.
Initially ranked as the fourth largest concert venue in the world in terms of capacity, the Bercy Arena could accommodate between 3,500 and 17,000 seated spectators, with a standing capacity of 18,000. However, after extensive renovations and modernisation, its capacity was increased to an impressive 20,300!
Directions: 12th district – no8 Boulevard de Bercy
Metro: Bercy on Line 6
Coordinates: Lat 48.838538 – Long 2.378584
