Before Mont-de-Marsan-Dax, this exhibition which could teach you more about the history of Landes rugby

The late Roger Couderc, voice of rugby during the 30 glorious years, admitted: “Never in my life have I experienced such a wonderful atmosphere in a final”. The journalist uttered this sentence on June 2, 1963 in the aisles of the Lescure stadium in Bordeaux while Stade Montois and US Dax faced each other in finale of the French rugby championship. A speech that says a lot about the history of oval balloon in the Landes: fervor, passion and joy. Do you think you know everything about the Landes rugby epic?

Inseparable from local culture

The exhibition of the Departmental Archives could well bring you some new elements. On Tuesday April 14, 2026, while the derby will be looming three days later in Boniface, it is at 25, place du 6e RPIMA, in Mont-de-Marsan, that you will have to be. One evening will highlight a sport that has become, since the 19th century, a true institution, inseparable from intangible heritage and local culture.

In particular, we will be able to discover new photographs of meetings and great Landes players, echoing the bicentenary of photography. We will also be able to relive a commented half-time of the final of the 1963 French championship between the two Landes teams, as well as the “pie” of Yellow Pierre Cazals on Red André Bérilhe.

An athletics demonstration

The opportunity also to visit the exhibition freely, or with an audio guide, and, more surprisingly, to attend an athletics demonstration (sport stilts), all while enjoying a musical atmosphere recreating the codes of the pre-match, such as the famous sound of crampons clicking in the locker room corridor.

Want more? Players and referees will be present to discuss their journeys and address themes such as the evolution of the game, refereeing and rugby values. Rest assured: if you miss the goal, extra time will be played on the day of Mont-de-Marsan–Dax, with the installation of the traveling version of the exhibition in the lair of the André-et-Guy-Boniface stadium.

« In the heart of the oval » – Tuesday, April 14, 2026 – Departmental Archives of the Landes – 25 place of the 6th RPIMA – Mont-de-Marsan – From 17h45 – Free in the limits available –

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