rugby : Narbonne in the story of the French XV
| The rugby spirit is not restricted to match time. A sense of sharing, human warmth, mutual respect… for Jo Maso, these fundamental values come into their own here, in an ideal setting, and on an ideal scale. Follow the guide who has fallen under the spell of Narbonne. |
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Jo Maso
"An enjoyable stop at a café terrace" |
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Jo Maso
"The Spanghero's, a unique family" |
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Jean Rubiella
"A magnificent symbol of reconciliation" |
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• Who was the first rugby player of Narbonne Racing Club to be selected in the French team?
Cassayet, first name Aimé, was the first Narbonne Racing Club player to be picked for the French team, in 1920. His international cap is treasured and is handed on to the younger generations by Pierre Bouscarle, the oldest of the former players.
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Jo Maso : "An enjoyable stop at a café terrace" |
The stadium . “I come back to see the games of course. I feel a twinge in my heart every time I pass the Cassayet stadium where I so often played and which is part of Narbonne’s collective memory. The move to the Parc des Sports et de l’Amitié in 1977 was difficult, but the venue lives up to its name.”
The Old Town . “I adore wandering around the compact heart of the city, with its pedestrian streets, its ancient stones, its cathedral, its Town Hall. I also like to visit the Lapidary Museum. Narbonne may have changed, but not its soul.”
The Robine . “It is very enjoyable to stop at one of the many café terraces along here. It reminds me of when I used to be a regular in the Café de France, facing the canal. It was the rugby followers’ gathering place at the time.”
La Clape . “In springtime, this wooded massif between the city and the sea is a kind of magic island. The soil underfoot, the pine trees, the cypresses all heighten the senses. During training runs it was both heaven and hell: those sessions could be rather strenuous.”
Narbonne-Plage . “Fantastic beaches as far as the eye can see, stretching all the way to the rock coast. I used to have dinner here every Thursday after training with Gérard Sutra and François Sangalli of the RCN, and our fishermen friends from Gruissan.”
Bages . “An authentic fishing village, overlooking the lagoon of the same name. At nightfall, it’s the perfect place to be with friends, sharing unforgettable moments around the dinner table, in one of the great restaurants.”
