Sport In France: 7 Popular Activities To Try Your Hand (Or Foot) At 

Sport in France is a national pastime, and we are a country of eager sportsmen and women, and just as passionate spectators.

With the 2024 Olympic Games being held in Paris this summer (be sure to check out our locals guide to the Games), France is on the sporting world stage, and the major event is bound to ignite even more passion for the French to become involved in sport. 

This month on the Paris Teachers Club blog, we take a look at 7 of the most popular sports in France and what we love about them.

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1. Cycling 

Cycling for both leisure and sport is highly popular in France, and has been for generations. 70% of French people own a bike, with almost half riding daily.  In fact, we invented the bicycle! In recent years, local governments have introduced measures to encourage more French people to hit the road on two wheels, including building more cycling paths and routes, and promoting bike share systems, like the Velib network in Paris. 

Competitively, the French have always had a passion for cycling, and perform at high levels on a global stage. France is also the home of the most famous bike race in the world – the Tour de France. The event is held every summer and winds its way through the country, ending in Paris.  

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2. Rugby Union

Rugby may not be the first activity you think of when you picture sports in France, but the vigorous contact sport continues to be one of the most beloved, particularly in the country’s southern regions.

The game has been played competitively in France since the 1870’s, and today it has around 400,000 players across the country. For almost four decades, France has competed in the Rugby World Cup and we are a standout in worldwide competition.

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3. Pétanque 

Pétanque is a French sport through and through, and its earliest origins can be traced right back to the days of Ancient Rome. When the non-contact sport was codified in France over a century ago, its popularity kicked off in the region of Provence, and soon spread across the country. 

Similar to bocce, but with key differences in technique, pétanque is a form of lawn bowls that millions across the world love playing. It is perfect for any age group to play, and it has become more common to see it played outside of France and its territories. Pétanque even has a World Championship, which France continues to dominate. 

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4. Fencing 

No country has the success in the sport of fencing that France has had. We have won more Olympic medals in the sword fighting sport than any other country, and with the Paris Olympics rapidly approaching, we are bound to add to that tally. 

Modern fencing originated in Western Europe in the 18th century, and continues to have a solid following across the continent. Fencing is also popular in overseas French territories, including in the Caribbean. 

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5. Football 

Football, or soccer, is the most popular sport in the world, and you only have to look to the global revelry during the World Cup for evidence of that. Each year, soccer only continues to grow in popularity, even in countries where it wasn’t once widely played. 

It is the biggest sport in France, with 14,000 registered clubs and two million players competing across the country at both local and league levels. That’s a lot, for a sport that only began being played here in the mid 19th century! Competition between rival teams and their supporters can be especially fierce. France has hosted and won the FIFA World Cup, most recently in 2018. 

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6. Skiing 

It’s no surprise that skiing is one of the most popular sports in France, considering how blessed we are with opportunities to take part in it! France is home to some of the best alpine destinations in the world. Each winter, over 50 million locals and overseas visitors head to our slopes for the best powder in Europe. We host a range of alpine skiing competitions and championships, and France regularly performs well at the Winter Olympics. If you love skiing and are heading our way, be sure to check out our guide to the best ski resorts in France! 

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7. Tennis 

Tennis is a globally beloved sport that dates back centuries, and France has the honour of hosting one of the major tennis Grand Slams each year – the French Open. In terms of numbers, tennis is second to football as the most popular sports in France. 

We have over a million licensed players, and many others who just enjoy a casual hit. The nation has also produced some of the best tennis players in history, including Amélie Mauresmo, Gaël Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. 

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What is your favourite of these sports in France?

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