Paris dazzles with grand boulevards, world-famous monuments, and the restless energy of a city that never stops reinventing itself. It is a city of lights, art, and ambition, where history and modern life meet at every corner.

Pau, by contrast, unfolds at a gentler pace. Nestled beneath the Pyrenees, it offers sweeping mountain views, leafy promenades, and an atmosphere of quiet elegance. If Paris is a symphony played at full volume, Pau is a melody carried on the mountain air.

Both cities were hosting the Top 14 barrages last weekend the winners of which would head to Marseille to face the already qualified semi finalists Toulouse and Montpellier.

Saturday night saw a packed Stade du Hameau attempt to serenade the men in green to victory and maintain their unbeaten home record.

But it was not to be. In a pulsating contest Racing 92 inspired by scrum half Léo Carbonneau came out on top 33-31 despite being out scored in the try department by four tries to three. Eighteen points from the boot of Antoine Gilbert were just enough to end Pau’s dreams.

Twenty four hours later some 794 kilometres north at Stade Jean Bouin in the affluent 16th arrondissement Pink Parisians Stade Francais demolished La Rochelle.

La Rochelle were outplayed in every facet of the game by the home side who with set piece dominance ripped the visitors defence to shreds.

Quicker in thought and deed than their opponents Stade Francais scored seven tries to a solitary effort from La Rochelle.

So the Top 14 now heads to Marseille for next weekend’s semi finals. On Friday night Toulouse face Racing 92 whilst Montpellier play Stade Francais on Saturday.