26 Stadiums Where Art and Architecture Collide in Spectacular Fashion

14. Matmut Atlantique (France) – The Elegant Forest of Columns

Located in Bordeaux, France, Matmut Atlantique is a striking example of how simplicity can be stunning. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron—the same visionary architects behind Beijing’s Bird’s Nest—the stadium is an architectural masterpiece defined by elegance, lightness, and fluidity. Its most distinctive feature is the forest of slender white columns that surround the exterior, giving the structure a floating, weightless appearance. Unlike most stadiums that emphasize solid mass, Matmut Atlantique embraces open space and transparency, making it feel welcoming rather than imposing. The undulating roof design, inspired by the nearby Atlantic coastline, allows sunlight to filter through, creating a soft, ever-changing interplay of light and shadows. The result is a stadium that feels both airy and grand, a modern coliseum reimagined with French sophistication.