Paris by the balls: A uniquely Parisian sporting experience

Watching rugby at Paris’ Stade Jean Bouin is like no other sporting experience reckons Matthew Genner, who sets about getting to grips with Parisian sporting culture.

When people think of France they don’t immediately think of sport. In Paris sport is not thrust in your face as in some other cities; it’s more subtle. Without Parisian sport, however, there would be no FIFA World Cup, no European Football Championships, no Olympic games and no major clay court tennis tournament. Pierre de Coubertin, Jules Rimmet and the Musketeers have had profound impacts on the world of sport and sport in Paris, in its unique way, has a significant impact upon the city.