7 Most Popular Sports In France

Curious what are the most popular sports in France?

When you think of France, the first things that come to mind are the famous French cheeses, wines, baguettes, croissants, fashion, arts, and – of course – the Eiffel Tower. However, sports in France are just as intrinsic to the French culture, history, and identity.

Sports traditions are a big part of every Frenchman’s life. The French people take pride in their athletes and their interest and participation in the sports are quite high.

7 Most Popular Sports In France

Here’s a list of the most popular sports in France.

1. Football

While football is actually not the most practiced physical activity in France, it is by far the most favorite sport among the French. Football is so popular in the country that its leading position on the national sports scene is considered a gold mine for the French sports movement in general.

Football’s popularity in France started to rise in 1897, followed by the creation of the French National Football team 7 years later.

Its international success resulted in the creation of the French Football Federation in 1919, which eventually took control of the French Cup. 

Today, football remains the most popular sport in France, with almost 2 million licensed players in the football leagues.

2. Tennis

Whether you’re a tennis buff or not, you’ve probably heard of Roland-Garros or the French Open, the premier clay court championship in the world. It’s a major tennis tournament held in Paris in late May of each year.

Tennis in France goes way deeper than Rolland-Garros as most historians claim that tennis has French origins. It is believed to have originated in the monastic cloisters in northern France in the 1100s.

At the time, the ball was struck with the bare hand; thus, the name jeu de paume which translates as “game of the palm.” It was only in the 16th century that rackets came into use, and the game started to be called “tennis.” 

The name “tennis” itself is of French origin, coming into use in English in the mid-1300s from an Old French word that can be translated as “hold!”, “receive!” or “take!” – a call from the server to the other player to indicate that he is about to serve.

Tennis is extremely popular in France, ranking second only to football and with various travel agencies specializing in tennis-themed vacations in the country.

3. Horse Riding/ Equestrianism

According to the Federation Française d’Equitation, horse riding is the 3rd biggest sport in France, as per number of riders. 

The country organizes the highest number of international competitions. And thanks to its network of trails that are easy to explore riding a horse, France is also a major country on equestrian tourism.

Regarded as one of the greatest equestrian nations on the planet, France is home to some two million citizens that ride horses both regularly and occasionally, with 37 Olympic medals to boot.

This places equestrianism or horse riding in the top tier of Olympic sports among the French. 

4. Rugby Union

Rugby union, or simply rugby, was introduced to France by the British in the early 1870s and played for the first time in Le Havre in the Normandy region. 

By 1900, rugby was included at the Paris Summer Olympics. France entered a team, winning the first ever gold medal at the rugby event at the Olympics.

Rugby is very popular in France, particularly in the south where it is a significant part of most towns’ culture, history, and identity. In the northern part of the country, however, football is better favored.

France has over 1,700 rugby clubs, with around 400,000 licensed players.

5. Cycling

Historically, the French have had a love affair with bicycles. In fact, they gave the name “bicycle” to these two-wheelers.

While the first fully-functioning bicycle is thought to have been invented by a German in 1817, the French were the ones to popularize and market it in the 1860s.

Cycling is said to have its roots in the gardens of the Palais Royal in the French capital, before the word “bicycle” even existed. 

The year was 1791 when the eccentric Comte de Sivrac was seen riding a two-wheeled contraption that was completely dysfunctional and impossible to steer.

This caught the eye of the French public and by 1793, sporting clubs in Paris started organizing races along the Champs Élysées.

Cycling is a fantastic way to enjoy France’s picturesque villages and beautiful scenery.

Top it up with Tour de France that attracts over 12 million people who come to see the race firsthand, there’s no debate that cycling is one of the most popular sports in France. 

6. Auto Racing

The French didn’t stop at cycling races, holding an auto race contest in 1894 – with racing cars made mostly of wood.

The French Grand Prix (“Great Prize”) first ran in June of 1906. Until its first permanent autodrome was built in Paris, Grand Prix races were held on public roads near towns. 

To show just how popular auto racing is in France, the country boasts of at least 15 major automobile racing events held regularly. It also takes pride in a high number of Formula 1 racing champions.

7. Pétanque

Can you imagine a friendship so great it spawned the development of one particular sport? 

That’s what happened here – how pétanque came to be.

The story began in 1910, when a former boule lyonnaise player called Jules Lenoir had rheumatism so bad he was unable to run before throwing a boule.

His good friend, Ernest Pitiot, developed a version of the game in which the pitch’s length was cut into half so Lenoir could throw a boule standing and stationary in a circle. 

The game came to be called pieds tanqués, meaning “feet planted [on the ground].” This name eventually evolved into “pétanque.” 

That same year, Pitiot organized the first pétanque tournament in La Ciotat in southern France. This new form of boules spread quickly, soon becoming the most popular of all boules sports in the country.

Pétanque has maintained its enormous popularity, with more than 6,200 registered clubs and some 300,000 registered players across France.