“Les Verts 1976: A French Passion”: An Inauguration That Serves as a Tribute

They were all there: from Ivan Curkovic, the goalkeeper with a thousand saves, to Christian Sarramagna, Saint-Étienne’s best player on May 12, 1976, in Glasgow, not to mention Jean-Michel Larqué, captain and leader of the team. Larqué was keen to share the stage with his former teammates and loyal friends that Sunday morning at the Musée des Verts for the opening of the new temporary exhibition, “Les Verts 1976: A French Passion.”

Fifty years after the start of the Epic, and on the heels of an exceptional tribute paid by the crowd at the Chaudron to its heroes, the time had come to celebrate a generation steeped in golden memories, passed down from generation to generation in Saint-Étienne and elsewhere.

Mr. Larry Tanenbaum, owner of ASSE, along with his wife Judy, were also present to welcome all those who played a part in this extraordinary journey. Also in attendance were Régis Juanico, Mayor of Saint-Étienne and President of Saint-Étienne Métropole, as well as Georges Ziegler, President of the Loire Department.

“Fifty years ago, a passion was about to sweep across an entire country. Today, this team still stands as a symbol of an era—the story of a unique human adventure forever etched in the collective memory. It is this story that we wanted to celebrate through this new temporary exhibition. In 2026, these players and this team remain the pride of Saint-Étienne, the Loire region, and France,” said Philippe Gastal, curator and historian at ASSE, in his opening remarks.

“This Saturday evening, there was a lot of emotion—and, as I was told, even a lot of tears—following the welcome we received from the crowd at Geoffroy-Guichard,” explained Jean-Michel Larqué. “Our generation held unwavering values in sports: altruism and solidarity. In fact, fifty years later, and today at the Musée des Verts, we’re reunited just as we are every year. A timeless bond forges this friendship; it has often carried us to victory. I want that victory to continue to be the standard-bearer, the beacon, the light of Les Verts in the weeks and months to come.”

The Exhibition: An In-Depth Look Back at a Unique Season

In the summer of 1975, Les Verts were preparing for a radical turning point in their careers—if not in their lives. Already celebrated for their talent, they would not only cement their dominance on the national stage but also reach for the European skies thanks to a unique run that culminated on that night in Glasgow, after sweeping an entire country along with them.

From that summer training camp—where the decisive impetus was set, under the guidance of Robert Herbin, who had a keen eye for his team’s needs—to the collective tour of Africa during the winter break, where Les Verts were welcomed by tens of thousands of people in Cameroon, every pivotal moment of the season is detailed. Accompanied by artifacts, jerseys, newspaper clippings, and rare items, the exhibition allows visitors to discover the small stories that made up the bigger one.

“Les Verts 1976: A French Passion” is now open to all members of the Peuple Vert—those who cheered on, celebrated, and loved this one-of-a-kind team.

> BOOK YOUR TICKET