Paul Rouse: Searching Paris for the soul of the World Cup

The absence of rugby does not mean that other sport is not visible on and off Rue de Rivoli; indeed, all manner of other things underline the centrality of sport to modern culture.

People sit at the terrace of a cafe in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, where signs of the Rugby World Cup are hard to find. Picture: Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images

In search of the Rugby World Cup along a Parisian street on a warm September night.

Rue de Rivoli runs for almost 3km across the heart of Paris. It takes its name from a victory won by Napoleon Bonaparte back in 1797. The street is filled with shops and bars and – because it extends almost from Place de la Bastille down past the Louvre – it is quite the achievement to come to Paris as a tourist and not pass along or across it.