Stade de France (Saint-Denis) Concert Venue / Stadium

The biggest stadium in France and the eighth largest in Europe, Stade de France boasts more than 18,000 seats when configured for football and rugby games and for concerts. Located in Saint-Denis, a suburb just north of Paris, it is easily accessed by multiple train lines as well as metro line 13 (which is slammed with passengers before and after events).

Inaugurated in 1998 by then-President Jacques Chirac, the stadium was originally built for World Cup games. It also hosts other events such as track and field competitions, car races, and major concerts. Past performers at Stade de France include the Rolling Stones, Johnny Hallyday, Tina Turner, AC/DC, Depeche Mode, Mylène Farmer, Muse, U2, Yannick Noah, Metallica, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay, Madonna, and Lady Gaga.

The stadium's architecture is distinguished by its futuristic, tinted glass roof, the elliptical shape of which protects spectators without covering the terrain and is meant to symbolize the universality of sports. Technologically astounding, the roof hides all of Stade de France's lighting and sound material, covers an area of six hectares, and weighs 13,000 tons. It cost $45 million to build.