Your Essential Travel Guide to Sports Events in France
Major sporting events in France
Sports enthusiast? You’re in the right place. France hosts some of the world’s biggest sporting events, from the Six Nations Championships to the exhilarating French Open. If you’re planning a trip to Paris or are driving around the country following the Tour de France, we have you covered.
Find everything you need to know about France’s exciting sports scene in our guide, along with information on where to stay
1. Six Nations Championships
When: February
Also known as the ‘Guinness Six Nations’, the Six Nations is a men’s rugby union tournament between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Established in 1883, it’s the successor to the Home Nations Championship and expanded first in 1990 with the addition of France and in 2000 with the addition of Italy. England and Wales have won the most trophies, 39 each.
If you're heading to Europe for the Championship, why not check out our European City Break? This package offers a stay in either France, Belgium, Holland or Germany with the flexibility to sail from Dover to Dunkirk or Calais!
2. Paris Judo Grand Slam
When: February
Judo fan? It doesn’t get much better than the Paris Grand Slam. Originally called the ‘Paris Tournament’, it was founded in 1971 and only included male athletes in five weight categories. Women could enter the competition in 1988, with the categories upgraded to seven. This fantastic event moved to the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, or Accor Arena, and became the first Grand Slam in the World Judo Tour.
Where to stay:
- Best Western Ronceray Opera (★★★)
- Hotel Balmoral (★★★★)
- Montfleuri Hôtel (★★★★)
3. The Paris Marathon
When: April
The Paris Marathon embodies the French capital’s spirit at its best. Runners come together to celebrate the beauty of this sport in one of the world’s most picturesque settings. The marathon starts along the Champs-Élysées, runs southeast toward Bois de Vincennes, and finishes on Avenue Foch. This competition has the second-most finishers after the New York Marathon, attracting thousands of fans and athletes yearly.
Where to stay:
- Best Western Ronceray Opera (★★★)
- Hotel Balmoral (★★★★)
- Montfleuri Hôtel (★★★★)
4. The French Open
When: May-June
Bringing together tennis fans from all over the world, the French Open, or Roland-Garros, is one of the four Grand Slams. This premier clay court championship was founded in 1891 and is considered the most physically demanding tennis tournament. This is due to the surface characteristics, the seven-round format and the best-of-five-set men’s singles matches.
DFDS PICK: Go behind the scenes at Roland-Garros Stadium
Where to stay for the Roland-Garros:
- Best Western Ronceray Opera (★★★), Paris
- Hotel Balmoral (★★★★), Paris
- Montfleuri Hôtel (★★★★), Paris
5. 24 Hours of Le Mans
When: June
Established in 1923, 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world’s oldest endurance racing event. It’s held near the charming town of Le Mans in north-western France and forms the so-called ‘Triple Crown of Motorsport’ with the Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500. Unlike other fixed-distance races, this competition celebrates the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours.
Where to stay to be part of the thrills:
- B&B Hotel Rouen Centre Rive Droite (★★★), Rouen
- B&B HOTEL Caen Mémorial (★★), Caen
- Hôtel Mercure Le Havre Bassin du Commerce (★★★★), Le Havre
Motorcycle enthusiast? Our guide to the best motorcycling events in Europe has all you need to inspire your itinerary.
6. Tour de France
When: June-July
One of the world’s biggest sporting events, the Tour de France is the oldest and most prestigious of the three Grand Tours (the Tour, the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España). First held in 1903 to increase sales for L’Auto newspaper, it comprises 20 to 22 teams of eight athletes racing over 24 days. The route changes yearly, but the format stays the same. This includes passing through the Pyrenees and the Alps, finishing along Paris’ Champs-Élysées.
Where to stay during the Tour de France:
- Hotel Balmoral (★★★★), Paris
- Hôtel Mercure Rouen Centre Cathedrale, (★★★★), Rouen
- Hôtel Mercure Rouen Centre Champ-de-Mars (★★★★), Rouen
One of the best ways to be part of the action is road-tripping across the country. Read our comprehensive guide to driving in France to ensure you have everything you need. And if you don’t feel like staying at a hotel, our camping in France guide can help you find the best alternative.
7. Summer Games
When: From 26th of July to 11th of August 2024
The most anticipated sporting event of the year promises adrenaline-packed competitions and many medals up for grabs. Paris will host most of the races, but some sports will take place in other cities, including Bordeaux, Nantes, Lyon and Nice. Whether you’re passionate about swimming, enjoy artistic gymnastics or prefer watching a volleyball match, there’s no better place to cheer on your favourite athlete than at this thrilling event.
Where to stay:
- Montfleuri Hôtel (★★★★), Paris
- Hotel Balmoral (★★★★), Paris
- Best Western Ronceray Opera (★★★), Paris
8. Ligue 1 Uber Eats
When: August-May
Founded in 1930, Ligue 1 Uber Eats is France’s main football competition. It comprises 18 teams and involves promotions and relegations to and from Ligue 2. Paris Saint-Germain holds the crown with most titles won (11), followed by Saint-Étienne (10), Marseille (9) and Monaco (8). The top three teams qualify for the Champions League, while the fourth-place team qualifies for the UEFA Europa League.
Where to stay to watch Ligue 1:
- Montfleuri Hôtel (★★★★), Paris
- B&B HOTEL Lille Centre Grand Palais (★★★), Lille
- Best Western Plus Le Havre Centre Gare (★★★★), Le Havre
Our Routes
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Hop aboard our most popular ferry crossing, Dover to Calais, and arrive in Calais in just 100 minutes. There are many ways to spend time onboard, from dining to duty free shopping.
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Travel guides & more
Paris
Explore culture, art and magnificent architecture in the French capital.
Boulogne
Visit Boulogne, the popular seaside resort and major fishing port.
Lille City Break
Our Lille city break is the perfect package for those wanting to discover this charming French city.
Rouen City Break
This city boasts stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. Enjoy a relaxing weekend or an action-packed trip with our Rouen hotel + ferry package.
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