The exceptional mobilization of the communes of the Metropolis and their clubs, collectors and photographers professionals and amateurs around this exhibition at the time of hosting the Rugby World Cup in Bordeaux in September, It has provided a remarkable photographic and film documentation that serves to define the local rugby sphere and its ancient and current practices.
A chronological frieze unfolds the implantation and diffusion of rugby in Bordeaux lands in four stages: - From the roots of rugby to the First World War. A local contribution to the national history of the oval balloon (1877-1919). - An interwar with... multiple twists. A new contribution to the national history of the oval ball (1920-1940). - The rugby of the Liberation until the early 1990s. A culture of terroirs in a southern France. Rugby of cities and rugby of fields... (1945-1994),

• The professionalization of rugby at 15 in France and the restructuring of the Bordeaux-Métropole clubs (1995-2023).
  In addition to this original work of memory, thematic tables show the educational actions that are carried out by the associative and institutional fabric in rugby schools and in the school environment, the integrative vector of adapted sport and social and citizen actions in favour of the integration of struggling audiences, but also the emergence and diffusion of women’s rugby, the practice of corporate rugby and that of veterans…
  The development of rugby fields and the emblematic designation of stadiums «Sainte-Germaine», «Suzon», «Musard», «Chaban», will also be illustrated.
  Finally, the players, referees and supporters, actors and audiences of this story, are highlighted during their meeting in the precinct, some on the field, others in the stands, occupied everyone to proclaim his fervor until late in the after meeting at the bar with which the match is hot.
  This explains the influence of this shared culture and its contribution to French rugby.
  Other contents of the exhibition
• A display of 70 to 80 photographs from public and private archives (Archives La Mémoire de Bordeaux Métropole, Archives de Bordeaux Métropole, Ambarès, Bègles, Bruges, Cenon, Floirac, Gradignan, Lormont, Mérignac, Pessac, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Talence, Villenave d'Ornon, archives du journal Sud Ouest, and private collections).
• Texts and legends written by local sports sociologists and historians, sports articles, quotes and words will be added to the images.
• A selection of drawings kindly loaned by Michel Iturria, draftsman and author of the cult series Les Rubipèdes published since 1984.
• An audiovisual montage of interviews with players, directors of rugby clubs and referees produced since the 1990s by La Mémoire de Bordeaux Métropole.
• A scenography by Bruce Milpied, for the Cdanslaboîte association created in 2011 to promote author photography.
• Publication of the exhibition catalogue at South West editions (96 pages, B&W illustration and colours) to keep this temporary exhibition in mind.
• Guided tour on request.
• Programming of a conference presented by Jean-Paul Callède, sports sociologist and vice-president of La Mémoire de Bordeaux Métropole.
  Namely: from October, the complete or partial exhibition, will be offered in roaming to the communes who will request it according to conditions to be defined.
  Information: 06 31 03 99 38 or by email at mbm@mbordeauxm.fr