March 1997 – N°23 – Cities – ENGLISH

What is at stake for Saint – Etienne as regards the 1998 Football World Cup?

Saint-Etienne has a population of 450,000, and is at present France’s 11th biggest city, and the 2nd biggest urban district in the Rhône-Alpes region. Thanks to a rich industrial past, our city now boasts a wide range of competencies, and has made a brilliant success of its reconversion, as can be seen from the enormous number of flourishing small and middle-sized businesses.

Our ambition remains to enlarge our scope as regards economic projects of importance. Though as citizens of Saint-Etienne we are very aware of all this, it’s clear that our real potential is still largely unrecognised, and the World Cup is the ideal occasion to spread the message, and to change our image in a significant way. For us, it’s also a unique chance to show off our skills by providing outstanding hospitality and service for the six international matches to be played here.

	With 17 months to go before the event, how motivated are the people of Saint-Etienne and how are you planning to focus their enthusiasm?
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Without trying to paint a false picture of itself, the city is gradually changing its image. “A great city, a great event” is the theme of all our activities.
Saint-Etienne was not slow to take on board the importance of this event and wanted to involve everyone in the city very early on. That’s why we were among the first of all the World Cup host cities to create an association with this in view, called “World Cup Saint-Etienne.”

When we received Aimé Jacquet here last December, I was tremendously pleased to be able to point out not just how much the people of Saint-Etienne love sport, especially football, but also how much we love a celebration. When all the big events put on by our city in 1997 take place (such as Arts in the city, the Tour de France, and the big book fair “Fête du livre”) we shall be decking them out in the World Cup colours, to keep up the pitch of enthusiasm and encourage a sense of sharing.

	The Stade Geoffrey Guichard is having a face-lift to host the World Cup. What other changes will be evident in the city in 1998?
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Outwardly, Saint-Etienne shows much evidence of its past and has hardly changed over the years, meaning that at present it is not truly in keeping with the profile and demands of a modern city. So we are undertaking major alterations throughout the city, and restoring the beauty of the town centre, particularly by enhancing places of interest, like the Place Jean Jaurès. We are also improving road access to the city, and installing our tramline in direct line with the Grand Rue which forms the focus of the city’s lay-out.