Online dictionary of France travel and tourism: sport

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Lens

French words: Lens
keywords: sport , town
related web sites: http://www.lens.fr , http://www.lens-tourisme.fr
explanation: Located in northern France, Lens had been disputed against Spain, which controlled Belgium until 17th century, when Treaty of the Pyrenees confirmed its French possession in 1659. Its industrial expansion began in 1842 when a coal mine was discovered in 1842. The town suffered severe causalities as a battle ground in 2 world wars. Though Lens is fighting an economic slump of coal industry, its football club "Racing club de Lens" is one of the strongest in France. It is also a venue of 2007 rugby world cup.

Longchamp racecourse

French words: Hippodrome de Longchamp
alternative words: Longchamp Hippodrome
keywords: paris , paris suburb , sport
related topics: Bois de Boulogne
related web sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippodrome_de_Longchamp
explanation: Though horse races had been already carried out at the same place, Longchamp horse race facility was built in 1857, at the place of Longchamp abbey, which had been destroyed during French revolution. Located in western Paris inside Boulogne forest park and owning 3 tracks covering 17 hectares, Longchamp organizes many prestigious courses, such as the famous purebred course, "Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe" which happens on the first weekend of each October.

Roland-Garros

French words: Roland-Garros , Stade Roland-Garros
alternative words: French Open, Roland Garros Stadium
keywords: paris , sport
related topics: Bois de Boulogne
related web sites: http://www.rolandgarros.com
explanation: Between the end May and the beginning June, Roland-Garros organizes "French Open", one of the 4 major world tennis championships: other are Australian Open, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadow. Its courts being covered with clays, the ball bounces slowly compared to grass or hard courts and consequently it makes difficult to win the prize for attackers such as John McEnroe. Located in south-west of Paris, at the southern edge of "Bois de Boulogne", its name comes from a French aviator ace of WWI, Roland-Garros.

Saint Denis

French words: Saint Denis
alternative words: Saint Denis Cathedral
keywords: church , paris suburb , sport , town
related topics: Montmartre hill
related web sites: http://www.saint-denis-tourisme.com , http://www.saint-denis.culture.fr
explanation: Located in northern suburb of Paris, Saint Denis is known for its necropolis of French kings. According to a legend, the first bishop of Paris, Saint Denis might walk 6km north with his head hold after being beheaded at Montmartre hill in 3th century. French kings used to be buried in a basilica built in 12th century at the place where he might fall. Saint Denis was also a center of labor movement between 2 world wars. 2007 rugby world cup will be played at "Stade de France" built for 1998 soccer world cup.

Saint Etienne

French words: Saint Etienne
keywords: sport , town
related topics: Lyon
related web sites: http://www.saint-etienne.fr , http://www.tourisme-st-etienne.com
explanation: Located in the central French highland (Massif Central), Saint Etienne region had remained poor until 15th century when the settlement of an army factory allowed its fast industrial expansion. In 1827, the inauguration of the first railroad in Saint Etienne, which would soon reach Lyon. Though the town suffers economic crisis due to its old industrial activities such as bankruptcy of Manufrance, its football club has won 10 times French championship. It is also one of the venues of 2007 rugby world cup.

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