The waiting's finally over for European football fans who now know not only who, but also where their home sides will be playing their first round matches in UEFA's Euro 2016 tournament. So now football fans can plan their trips to the 10 French host cities, all of which will be offering not just top class football, but also their own individual brands of hospitality and entertainment. 

From Northern France to the Riviera, the Atlantic Coast to the Rhône Valley, all the venues are easily accessible from the UK by rail and/or low cost airlines. Take Eurostar to Paris and Lille; pick up a high speed train to the provinces; or fly to international transport hubs like Bordeaux, Nice, Toulouse, Lyon and Marseilles.

England's tournament gets under way on 11 June in Marseilles, where fans can enjoy the buzz of cafes and bars around the Old Port or take public transport to the hidden beaches of the calanques. Then the team heads north to meet Wales on June 16 in Lens where fans can combine sporting action with a visit to Louvre-Lens and the new cultural and outdoor spaces of the former mining district. Final first-round match will take place on June 20 in St-Etienne, a contemporary cultural hub with some fascinating museums to its industrial past. Gateway to the Pilat National Park and Loire Gorges, it's also a great place to start a touring holiday. 

The sporting action for Wales also begins on June 11 when they play Slovakia in Bordeaux, an elegant town which has undergone a huge modern makeover since the millennium. Today a high-tech public transport system whisks visitors seamlessly between its many attractions. Finally Wales meet Russia on June 20 in Toulouse, fondly known as The Pink City because of its terracotta brick buildings. Work up an appetite with a walk by the Canal du Midi then relax at a café table around Place Capitole – home to the town hall - for the real atmosphere of the south-west, but don't miss the spectacular Cité de l'Espace space museum.

Nice is the stylish venue for Northern Ireland's firstmatch on June 12 against Poland. With its atmospheric Old Town and daily flower market in Cours Saleya, its famous Promenade des Anglais, and a wealth of public gardens and open spaces, Nice epitomises the glamour of the Côte d'Azur. On June 16, the team will pit their skills Ukraine in Lyon, listed by UNESCO for an urban story that spans the Romans to the present day. With outstanding museums, a colourful Renaissance Old Town, and the buzzing new Confluence district between its twin rivers, France's gastronomic capital is guaranteed to delight. And no introduction is necessary to Paris, where Northern Ireland play their final first-round match at Parc des Princes. Iconic monuments or off-the-beaten track, this is a city that never fails to seduce, time after time after time.

Republic of Ireland also open their tournament in Paris, 10 km from the city centre in the Stade de France at Saint-Denis where they play Sweden on June 13. The town's towering basilica is the last resting place for more than 70 French kings and queens, but this is a vibrant district offering excellent retail and restaurant possibilities. Their follow-up matches take place on June 18 against Belgium in Bordeaux and on June 22 against Italy in Lille, former European Capital of Culture. Old and new blend seamlessly together in this captivating city where heritage buildings and museums rub shoulders with stylish shopping, contemporary fashion designers, and a buzzing entertainment scene.

First game of the Euro 2016 tournament on June 10 involves host nation France against Romania in Saint-Denis, which will also host the high profile final on July 10. For a comprehensive guide to the host cities, see Bienvenue to France, jointly produced by Atout France and Voyages-sncf.com

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For further  information please contact
Anne Pedersen,  Head of Public Relations Department, Atout France
anne.pedersen@atout-france.fr
Tel. 020 7061 6624, www.france.fr