The Stade Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux is renowned for its harmonious blend of contemporary architecture and natural landscape. Designed by the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, in collaboration with French landscape architect Michel Desvigne, the stadium represents a seamless integration of the built structure with its surroundings.

The construction is supported by a ‘forest’ of over 1,000 slender columns, evoking the pine trees typical of the Les Landes region. This design creates a fluid transition between the stadium and the surrounding landscape. While inspired by classical temples, the structure remains open and inviting, with wide staircases that blur the boundaries between interior and exterior space.

The landscape design, led by Michel Desvigne, is guided by a flexible, long-term vision. Located between the Parc Floral and Lake Bordeaux, the site has been redeveloped with dense woodland areas—so-called “green belts”—that function as ecological corridors and strengthen local biodiversity.

Thanks to the use of pre-cultivated mature trees, the site gained an established, green character from day one. These trees, including Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris), were supplied by Van den Berk. The project received widespread acclaim in the professional press for both its architectural and landscape achievements, and it is regarded as a leading example of landscape integration in public infrastructure.

This project demonstrates how sports infrastructure can be respectfully embedded in its environment—enhancing natural heritage while meeting the demands of modern use.