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Stadium

Salle Le Parnasse

Nîmes, France

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Façade de l'entrée du Parnasse à Nîmes le 10 janvier 2023.
Façade de l'entrée du Parnasse à Nîmes le 10 janvier 2023. Fexedyte · CC BY-SA 4.0
Vue en hauteur de l'intérieur de la salle du Parnasse à Nîmes le 10 janvier 2023.
Vue en hauteur de l'intérieur de la salle du Parnasse à Nîmes le 10 janvier 2023. Fexedyte · CC BY-SA 4.0

The concrete block of Salle Le Parnasse resembles a fortress more than a traditional arena, its white façade stripped of ornament until the rust-red frames of the windows cut across it. The name sits high on the side tower, a vertical reminder of the venue’s identity since it opened its doors in 1993. It was constructed to serve the Mediterranean Games, and while it has hosted fencing and archery, the hall truly belongs to the handball club USAM Nîmes Gard.

Inside, the space is dominated by the timber roof, a lattice of steel beams in a deep red hue that stretches across the ceiling, supporting the floodlights. The floor is polished parquet, marked out for handball, though a net hangs in the foreground suggesting a switch to volleyball. The stands are a mix of colours; the west stand is lined with orange seats, while the east offers rows of black, and a raised mezzanine level looms above the spectator area. VIP and press boxes sit tucked behind glass, overlooking the action.

The crowd usually presses in tight for local derbies, and on occasion, the full house of 4,191 fills out for international fixtures. The French national teams have used the parquet to test their skills against opponents from Germany and Kosovo. After the final buzzer, the venue clears, leaving the wooden floor empty once again, waiting for the next game to turn it on.