Sport plays an important role in French society. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to play and watch sport during your holiday here.

Many of the sports that are popular in the UK, such as football, rugby and tennis, are also widely enjoyed in France. In fact, France is extremely competitive on a global scale in all of these sports and many more.

Playing sport on holiday

When you’re staying in a location for a short-time only, the opportunities to get involved in team sports are small. It is easier to get involved with individual sports. There are plenty of tennis courts to be found in the region and even the opportunity for private coaching.

Water sports, such as surfing, windsurfing and diving, are also available for those who are willing to make the two-hour journey to the West Coast. Water sports in the south of France are extremely popular, especially because of the blazing summer temperatures.

Closer to the Dordogne river itself, other sports such as cycling and rowing are readily available in a non-competitive format; representing two of the most popular activities for tourists.

Watching sport

Considering the huge popularity of sport in France, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a bar with live sport showing on the television. Any big games featuring the country’s top football and rugby teams could draw quite a crowd to the pubs, just as they would in England. In fact, the FA Premier League is also commonly watched by many French football fans on a regular basis.

If you fancy watching some live sport you might want to travel to Bordeaux where Bordeaux FC typically plays home games at least once a fortnight. The city’s rugby team has also enjoyed a fair amount of success in recent years.

Discussing sport with the locals

In England, sport is often the best common denominator when men try to initiate conversation and this is arguably no different in France. The French are typically as passionate about their local club team as the English and those who enjoy football or rugby should be able to find common ground with many of the locals in the Dordogne. Other sports which are popular in France but less so in England include basketball, cycling and handball.

The Dordogne may not be best known as a sporting destination, but there is no reason why sporting fanatics can’t continue to enjoy their hobby whilst staying in the region.

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