Starting March 28, 2026, the National Football Center of Clairefontaine will open its doors to the public for a special visit. During immersive guided tours, football enthusiasts will get a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation of the French national team—from the legendary Château to the training grounds nestled in the heart of the Rambouillet Forest.
Football enthusiasts, imagine stepping into the shoes of a
French national team player and
exploring the behind-the-scenes of Clairefontaine, France’s legendary football training center, which will open its doors to visitors starting
March 28, 2026. During
guided tours lasting nearly two hours, walk through this exclusive site typically reserved for players and staff—a place we usually only see on television—where preparations are underway for major international tournaments, including the upcoming
2026 World Cup.
Since its opening in 1988, the National Football Center has established itself as a premier training, preparation, and innovation hub. Globally renowned, it offers a unique blend of physical training, medical support, cutting-edge innovation, and the transmission of sporting values. A guided tour provides a behind-the-scenes look at the daily life of the French national team during their stays here, including visits to the Château des Équipes de France, training grounds, state-of-the-art facilities for top-level physical and mental preparation, and historic sites that celebrate France’s football heritage.
The venue, nestled within a vast forested estate in
Rambouillet, is normally off-limits to the public. According to
Cultival, visitors must carry valid photo ID and stick close to their guides to navigate the grounds. When players aren’t around, the atmosphere is notably peaceful, though many staff members are busy at work behind the scenes. The site also hosts the
National Football Institute (INF), a symbol of France’s rich tradition in player development and knowledge transfer.
So, are you ready to follow in the footsteps of
Zidane or Mbappé?
