At the heart of French rugby: an exclusive tour of the National Rugby Centre

The training centre of the French national teams

In Linas-Marcoussis, in the heart of Essonne just outside Paris, stands the Bernard Lapasset National Rugby Centre (CNR), the high-performance training base of the French Rugby Federation. More than a sports complex, CNR Marcoussis is one of the leading landmarks of French rugby, an iconic site dedicated to excellence, performance and team cohesion

This is where the players of the XV de France, the France 7 and the French teams gather to prepare for major national and international competitions, including the Six Nations Championship and the Rugby World Cup, while maintaining the same pursuit of excellence throughout the Top 14 and Pro D2 seasons. The National Rugby Centre regularly hosts these training camps under the guidance of the national coaching staff, led by head coach Fabien Galthié. It is here that discipline, solidarity and the distinctive spirit of rugby union and rugby sevens are shaped.
 

An immersion into elite international rugby

The guided tour takes you to the heart of the National Rugby Centre in Marcoussis, where the French national team meets to prepare for major competitions. In these areas usually reserved for players and staff, you will discover how team cohesion is built, between high standards and family spirit.

As you walk through the XV de France Wing, follow in the footsteps of the players, including Antoine Dupont, a symbol of a generation shaping the history of French rugby. It is here that many iconic players have trained, including Thierry Dusautoir, Frédéric Michalak, and Sébastien Chabal. Leading figures of women’s rugby, such as Jessy Trémoulière and the Ménager sisters, have also prepared for major competitions here, placing Marcoussis within the ongoing heritage of the XV.

The tour also offers a glimpse into the spaces that structure the daily life of international players. From the strength and conditioning room to the auditorium, as well as the press room and training pitches, each area plays a role in the preparation of the players.

It is in these spaces that precision of movement and mastery of the phases of play are developed, from the engagement of a scrum and the control of a line-out to the intensity of a ruck and the collective power of a maul.
 

Expertise that extends beyond rugby

At Marcoussis, performance goes beyond match results. It is built daily through a holistic approach combining rigorous physical preparation, medical monitoring, optimised recovery and cutting-edge sports technology.

The centre relies on state-of-the-art facilities, where hybrid pitches, rehabilitation areas and connected technologies come together with a single objective: supporting players in reaching the highest level.

The scrum workshop, dedicated to set-piece phases, and the environmental room, designed to help players adapt to extreme conditions of heat, altitude and humidity, are emblematic examples of this approach, helping to establish the National Rugby Centre as an international benchmark in sports innovation.

Its excellence extends well beyond rugby. Athletes from basketball, athletics, tennis, judo and football regularly train here. The Portuguese national football team has held training camps at the centre, and Cristiano Ronaldo has trained in its facilities, illustrating the prestige and exceptional quality of the site.
 

Tradition, values and team spirit

The National Rugby Centre embodies the soul of French rugby. Iconic jerseys, the cockerel emblem and the trophy room each tell part of the story of French rugby.

In the Hall of Honour, the XV de France Code of Honour is displayed as a guiding principle. It serves as a daily reminder of the values at the heart of the sport: teamwork, respect, solidarity, sharing and a strong sense of purpose.

The objective is not only to develop high-performing athletes, but elite players united by a common ambition and driven by a true family spirit.
 

A natural setting conducive to focus

Located in a wooded and green environment, the National Rugby Centre benefits from a peaceful setting that contrasts with the intensity of training. This balance between nature and performance creates an ideal environment for both recovery and preparation for major competitions.
 

A unique rugby experience

Long reserved for players and staff, the National Rugby Centre now opens to the public for a rare and privileged immersion experience in the world of XV de France. Whether you are passionate about rugby culture, interested in sports tourism near Paris, or curious to discover the behind-the-scenes world of elite sport, this is a unique opportunity to visit the official training centre of French rugby.