What is club football in France if its not an opportunity to see some of the world's best players in action and possibly, depending upon where your house moves to France take you, see them right on your doorstep?
Whatever the reason you're looking to arrange house moves to France, whether it’s for business or pleasure, one thing is for certain, if you are a fan of “the beautiful game”, and happen to be moving to within striking distance of a Ligue 1 club, you are in for a real football treat.
In this article, we take a look at the top French football teams in the order in which they stand at the time of writing.
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Paris Saint-Germain - Parc des PrincesParc des Princes, or PSG as they are known as internationally, have risen to footballing greatness over the past 3-4 years. Formed in 1970 as the result of a merger between two smaller clubs - Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain - the club wallowed in mid table obscurity for years but then something marvellous happened, the Qataris came to town. PSG have benefitted recently from a huge injection of cash from Qatar and in true football fashion, it’s this Qatari money that has bought the players, made the team, and has brought home the silverware.
AS Monaco FC - Stade Louis IIAnother cash injection, this time from Russia, has doubtless helped keep Monaco up where they belong, though to be fair, they had already been doing rather well for years. They have been at or near the top of the French football league since as far back as the 1970's and 80's, but then in late 2011, a cash genie turned up in the shape of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev. His financial backing and the quality of player that his money has bought to the club will surely see AS Monaco FC in the top flight for a long time to come.
LOSC Lille - Stade Pierre-MauroyLOSC Lille have enjoyed many successes since their return to top flight French football in 2000–01. They qualified for Europe for the first time in their history, securing a place in the 2000–01 Champions League and since then, under the chairmanship of Michel Seydoux and with the coaching expertise of Claude Puel and later, Rudi Garcia, they have become a regular on the European football scene. In recent times, they've enjoyed successes over such teams as Manchester United, Milan and Liverpool, and in 2011 they won the French league and cup double.
AS Saint-Etienne - Stade Geoffroy-GuichardKnown as the Greens because of their distinctive strip, the AS St-Étienne side of 1976 won three successive French league titles, a feat the club has been trying to emulate ever since. There's no shortage of talent here; as recently as 2013, they won the French league cup and they have just gone on to secure a spot in the European competition next season. Romain Hamouma opened the scoring for St-Étienne shortly after the restart when he picked up a pass from Moustapha Bayal Sall. Sall and Mevlüt Erdinç are just two to watch out for here at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Olympique Lyonnais - Stade de GerlandOlympique Lyonnais, or Lyon as they are more commonly known, have been a top flight French football club for as long as most people can remember. Formed in 1899 or 1950, depending on who you listen to, they won their first Ligue 1 championship in 2002. From then on, having tasted success at the highest level, it seems they have been loathed to give it up, going on to win seven consecutive titles and a raft of silverware from other competitions. Here's hoping their new stadium in Décines-Charpieu, due to open 2015/2016, has a strong-room!
Olympique de Marseille - Stade VélodromeMarseille have spent most of their 115 year history in top flight French football. They have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In 1993, they won the UEFA Champions League and in 2010, were once again crowned French champions. Their home ground, the Stade Vélodrome, is at present undergoing a massive refurbishment which will increase its capacity from just over 60,000 to over 67,000. Due for completion some time this year, (2014) it is set to stage the Euro 2016 competition.
Girondins de Bordeaux - Stade Chaban-DelmasFC Bordeaux, which was founded in 1881, is one of the most successful football clubs in France. They've won six Ligue 1 titles, four Coupe de France titles, three Coupe de la Ligue titles, and three Trophée des champions. The club has also appeared in the most finals in the Coupe de la Ligue, having played in six of the 16 finals contested. Yet another French club to benefit from a stadium upgrade ahead of Euro 2016, Bordeaux are apparently set to strengthen their squad still further with the appointment of French legend Zinedine Zidane as head coach.
Stade de Reims - Stade Auguste Delaune Over the past 30 years or so, Reims performance on the pitch has been nothing shy of erratic. Stade Reims has been bouncing up and down between Ligues 1, 2 and 3 for decades but lately they seem to be getting things right. Now placed 8th in the French top flight, whatever it is they are doing, they just need to keep doing it. The new Stade Auguste Delaune which stands pretty much on the same site as the old one, is at long last starting to see some football as they welcome, not always successfully, their fellow Ligue 1 contenders.
FC Lorient - Stade du Moustoir FC Lorient was founded in 1926 and, for much of the time since then, they have been a spring board club for decent young players, rather than a club that has actually sprung itself. They first appeared in Ligue 1 in the 1998–99 season but struggled there under the weight of the financial pressure and stronger competition. Returning to the top flight in 2006, Lorient had spent their money on improving their academy. This led to them spending the next three seasons in Ligue 1. The 2009–10 season saw them reach 5th place in October and end the season in 7th, their best finish to date.
Toulouse FC - Stade MunicipalToulouse Football Club was founded in 1937. Like most clubs it has had mixed fortunes over the years, yoyoing between the divisions. They've had their share of glory days too though, perhaps most notably, their victory in a penalty shoot-out over Diego Maradona's Napoli in the 1986–87 UEFA Cup. The club has now secured its position within the top flight, taking part in the European competition five times and in 2008, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. During that time it has seen its fair share of famous names too, goalkeeper Fabian Barthez and striker André-Pierre Gignac have both worn the club's colours.
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