How to stay fit in France

On campus, the Service Universitaire des Activités Physiques et Sportives (SUAPS - the University Physical Activity and Sport Department) helps students stay in shape for a modest annual payment. Many different sports are available to all, regardless of your level.

For the most athletic sportspeople, the Fédération Française du Sport Universitaire (the French Federation of University Sport) organises sport competitions between student teams from all of the higher education institutes.

Sport associations and clubs

There are many sport associations in France. Clubs give you a chance to practise with a qualified trainer and to have regular access to specific equipment.

For some sports, such as fitness and yoga, there are many private clubs and centres. Students, or those under 26 years of age, sometimes qualify for discounts there. Check to see if there are discounts available and compare the different prices.  

Student associations exist in many institutions, and Student Sports Clubs (BDS - Bureau des Sports) may also offer a variety of activities.

The licence system

In France a vast majority of sportspeople have a license granted by a national organisation, specific to their sport. This organisation keeps track of statistics, determines rules of play, certifies courses and playing fields, helps sponsor and organise events and provides health and liability insurance coverage for members (licenciés) and member clubs.

Once per year, normally in September, practitioners pay a small membership fee, provide a medical aptitude certificate and receive a license, which in turn gives them easy access to relevant events, the insurance and, often, official rankings (classement) based on event results.

On a shoestring

Running is the cheapest way to work out, and most cities in France are designed with dedicated active spaces. If you don't like running on your own, you can find a running group on social media. You can meet new people, practise your French and see the town from a different point of view. If you just want to swim a few lengths, there are also lots of municipal pools open to all, with educed prices for students. You can also meet up with group excursions, like Pari Roller.

Parkour

Born in the surbus of Paris, parkour is the art of mastering mouvement by finding a way to overcome the obstacles in the most efficient way possible by running, jumping or climbing. Overall, combining speed, fluidity, aesthetics and originality.

Thus Parkour is also based on philosophical qualities such as the solidarity between athletes, self-confidence, self-progress and the joy of mastering a skill through practice. This is why Parkour considers itself as a philosophy.

Cycling

France is well served by existing routes and itineraries for leisurely or intense pedalling. Also, France hosts "the world's biggest annual cycling event" called the Tour de France 🚴🏽‍, an annual cycling competition held in different stages over a period of three weeks each July, passing through the Pyrenées and the Alps, and ending at the Champs-Élysées. It's one of the three Grand Tours, which are the most prestigious stage races in road cycling. The race attracts more than 12 million people who travel to witness the race first hand, and a television audience of 1 billion people worldwide.

Fencing

In France, fencing is the most successful French sport at the Olympic Games. 118 Olympic medals (including 42 gold medals) have been won by French athletes since the creation of the Olympic Games.

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Motoracing

Home of Peugeot, Renault, and Citroën, France is one of the pioneers of the automotive industry. Having more than 350 car manufacturers through out the years, there is no doubt why car racing in France has become a major sporting event. Starting with the Paris – Rounen Race in 1894, France is now well-known for the iconic 24 hour race of Le Mans, rally racing like the Dakar Rally (Paris-Dakar), and the Formula One French Grand Prix. 

Pétanque

In the late afternoon on a beautiful day and under the plane trees, Provence offers a constellation of dozens of silver stars which collide to the sound of: “You shoot or you point?”

This game of boules, also known as Petanque symbolizes Provence and also a holiday. Two teams attempt to roll or throw balls closest to a jack in the middle, knocking their opponent's ball out of the way. You may know it by its Italian name, bocce. Sport or leisure, pétanque always remains as an institution whose motto is conviviality above all. Do not hesitate to participate, you are already making friends when sharing a game of pétanque.

With some of the best snow and slopes in Europe, the mountains are perfect training ground for downhill, slalom and cross-country skiing. France also has a striking diversity of landscapes, from the snowcapped peak of Mont Blanc to the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean. Every region offers inspiring hiking trails that are sure to impress.