French Football Clubs – List of Top 10 Currently Ranked, 2025

France has long been one of Europe’s most passionate footballing nations, home to clubs with rich histories, fierce rivalries, and legendary players. From dominating domestic leagues to making their mark in Europe, the biggest French football clubs have carved out a legacy that spans generations. Whether you’re talking about title counts, fan bases, or international success, the debate over the most successful club in France always sparks intense discussion among fans and pundits alike.

In this article, we take a closer look at the top 5 biggest French football clubs of all-time, ranking them based on their achievements, historical impact, and global recognition. These famous French football clubs have helped shape the identity of Ligue 1 and brought pride to French football on the continental stage. Whether it’s consistent league dominance or unforgettable European runs, these teams represent the very best French football has to offer.

As we dive into the best French football clubs, you’ll see why they are considered the biggest clubs in France — not just for the number of trophies in their cabinets, but for their cultural influence, legendary players, and loyal supporters. From Paris to Marseille and beyond, these clubs have stood the test of time and remain cornerstones of the French game. Let’s explore what makes each of them a true giant among French football clubs. First, we look into the ranking factors that came in handy while forming our list of the best French football clubs.

Ranking Factors

Trophies Won (Domestic and European Success): One of the most important criteria in determining the most successful club in France is silverware. This includes Ligue 1 titles, Coupe de France wins, Coupe de la Ligue triumphs, and performances in European competitions like the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. The more prestigious and numerous the trophies, the stronger the case for inclusion among the best French football clubs.

Historical Legacy and Cultural Impact: Clubs with a long-standing presence in French football, strong local or national identities, and devoted fan bases earn recognition as famous French football clubs. Their influence on the culture of the sport, rivalries, and contribution to the game over decades are key in determining the biggest clubs in France.

Financial Strength and Infrastructure: The financial power of a club, along with the quality of its stadium, training facilities, and overall management structure, reflects its ability to remain competitive at the highest level. This long-term stability is a hallmark of the biggest French football clubs, ensuring continued relevance both on and off the pitch.

Biggest Clubs in France

10. OGC Nice

Nice may fly under the radar at times, but they have a proud history and are historically one of the best French football clubs. Their most successful era was in the 1950s when they dominated the French game and won four Ligue 1 titles. Established in 1904, Nice continues to remain one of the better known clubs from France.

In recent years, the club has experienced a rebirth thanks to new ownership, smart recruitment, and investments in infrastructure. Though they’ve yet to match their past trophy hauls, they are building toward a future that could re-establish them as one of the most successful clubs in France. They have won the league four times, and have 3 Cope de France trophies to their name.

9. RC Lens

Lens may not be the most decorated, but they are undeniably one of the biggest clubs in France when it comes to fan passion and cultural relevance. The club, based in a working-class town in northern France, has one of the most loyal supporter bases in the country. It continues to have one of the biggest and best supporters in the world.

Their Ligue 1 triumph in 1998 and Coupe de la Ligue win in 1999 are high points in their history. Lens has experienced a revival in recent seasons, playing exciting football and finishing near the top of Ligue 1 — proving they still belong in the top tier of French football clubs. They continue to be relevant in modern French football as well.

8. Stade de Reims

Stade de Reims was once the crown jewel of French football. In the 1940s and 50s, they were the dominant force, led by legends like Raymond Kopa and Just Fontaine. They reached two European Cup finals (1956 and 1959), both times losing to Real Madrid, but left an undeniable mark on the early European game. Established in 1931, Stade de Reims have won the league 6 times.

Though they’ve not reached the same heights since, their legacy as pioneers and title collectors keeps them among the famous French football clubs. Reims’ influence on French football’s early international identity can’t be overstated. They also have a Trophee des Champions under their belt.

7. Lille OSC

Lille is a club that has seen its fair share of ups and downs but remains one of the best French football clubs historically. Founded in 1944, they quickly became a dominant team in post-war French football, winning league titles in 1946 and 1954. They have won a total of 4 league titles in their history, alongside 6 Cope de France trophies.

The modern resurgence came in 2011 when they won a domestic double under Rudi Garcia, powered by talents like Eden Hazard. Then in 2021, they shocked the football world by winning the Ligue 1 title, beating out PSG in one of the most thrilling seasons in recent memory. Their success is a testament to the club’s smart recruitment and solid infrastructure.

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6. Girondins de Bordeaux

Bordeaux is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in France. Founded in 1881, they boast a rich legacy of domestic dominance and a passionate fanbase. Their golden era came in the 1980s when they won three Ligue 1 titles in five years under coach Aimé Jacquet, who later led France to their 1998 World Cup triumph. They have won 6 league titles in their history.

They’ve also been a consistent force in Europe, making multiple appearances in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. Legends like Zinedine Zidane, Christophe Dugarry, and Alain Giresse have all worn the Bordeaux jersey. Despite recent struggles and even relegation, Bordeaux’s history and honors make them one of the biggest French football clubs of all time.

5. AS Monaco

AS Monaco was founded in 1924 and, despite being not in France, but in the sovereign city-state of Monaco. The club competes in the French league system and has since become one of the most successful, and intriguing clubs in French football history.

In 1961, the club won its first Ligue 1 title and has gone on to add seven more to its impressive trophy cabinet. They’ve not only been a dominant side in domestic competitions but also in international tournaments. Monaco managed to reach the European Cup final in 2004 where they lost against the team coached by Jose Mourinho in a famous game that signaled their arrival in the European game.

The club has accumulated 8 Ligue 1 titles, 5 Coupe de France, and 1 Coupe de la Ligue. But it has perhaps been their performances in Europe that have proved to catch the attention of the footballing world. Their Champions League final appearance in 2004 and the way they regularly push above their weight in European competitions, often taking down stronger and elite sides along the way are proof enough of that.

Monaco’s biggest strength has always been its ability to develop young and promising talents. From Thierry Henry to Kylian Mbappé, James Rodríguez to Bernardo Silva, Monaco has been a launching pad for some of the game’s biggest stars in the footballing world.

4. AS Saint-Etienne

AS Saint-Etienne is also known as “Les Verts” (The Greens) because of their famous green jerseys. The club was founded in 1919 and has its own deep history, legacy, and tradition. Saint-Etienne has experienced the dizzying highs of domestic dominance, and European glory as well as the lows of relegation coupled with financial difficulties.

Saint-Étienne enjoyed their golden days in the 1960s and 1970s when they were not only the best team in France but also in the European circuit as well. They have won an incredible 10 Ligue 1 titles with four in a row between 1967 and 1970. Their greatest success was in 1976 when they got as far as the European Cup final, where they lost to German side Bayern Munich.

Perhaps the most famous of the many who spent his career at Saint-Étienne for three years and took the club to a league victory and European Cup final, Michel Platini. Saint-Etienne’s iconic club has also been blessed with other legends such as Aimé Jacquet, Dominique Rocheteau, and Johnny Rep.

During the most recent years, the club has seen hard times, like relegation and financial situation. Their fans still run hot and still love them. ‘Le Chaudron’ is famous for its intense atmosphere making their stadium one of the most intimidating stadiums. Saint-Étienne’s rich history and loyal supporter base have ensured that they are still one of the biggest clubs in French football as they work to reclaim a spot back among the country’s elite.

3. Olympique Lyonnais

They may not have the long history that some of its rivals boast but their achievement and innovation more than make up for it. Olympique Lyonnais has a history going all the way back to 1950, and their rise to prominence is a testament to how smart they are in managing this fantastic youth development system, and how committed they’ve been to attractive and attacking football.

From 2001 to 2008, Lyon saw a golden era by winning seven successive Ligue 1 titles, a record which still remains solid to this day. It was a time of dominance for homegrown talents along with big spend signings. During this time in French football, players like Juninho Pernambucano, known for his mesmerizing free kicks and passing, Michael Essien and Karim Benzema became household names.

Lyon has 5 Coupe de France winners, five Ligue 1 titles, and one Coupe de la Ligue holder. While they have never tasted European success, they have never been an absent name in the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa League in recent years.

The commitment to youth development certainly has to be Lyon’s greatest legacy. French football has long been synonymous with world-class talents, from Benzema to Alexandre Lacazette, from Samuel Umtiti to Nabil Fekir, and Lyon’s ability to nurture young talents has been a model for clubs across Europe.

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2. Olympique de Marseille

Olympique de Marseille represents the passionate soul of French football, and perhaps the soul of football in general. Marseille was founded in 1899, steeped in history and tradition. Highs and lows from the club’s story but always underlined with the backing from their supporters, who help to create the wonderful cauldron of noise and colour in the stadium on match day.

In the late 80s and early 90s, Marseille’s golden years took place under the crazy ownership of Bernard Tapie. In this period, they won the Ligue 1 and reached the summit of European success. In 1993, they became the first (and so far only) French club to win the UEFA Champions League. They managed to defeat the Serie A giants AC Milan in a memorable final.

More than that, their domestic record is as good as their European exploits. Coupled with 10 Coupe de France victories that show that Marseille are pretty consistent in cup competitions, they’ve claimed 10 Ligue 1 titles, most recently in 2010. Some of the greatest players to have played for French football have been home to Marseille, including Didier Deschamps, Jean-Pierre Papin, and more recently Dimitri Payet.

While Marseille’s history includes its darker and cloudier chapters, here, quite frankly, nothing makes sense. They also lost their league title and were relegated, following the match-fixing scandal in 1993. It is still a stain on their illustrious past. Le Classique is one of the most fierce rivals in Europe and matches with PSG.

1. Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain also known as PSG is arguably one of the biggest French football clubs. PSG was established in 1970 and it is rather a young football club but it is also one of the largest football clubs in European Football. Currently, PSG has evolved from being just a team to an icon, PSG’s rise in the last decade or so resembles the rise of the Parisian capital itself.

Since 2011, PSG has been a modern football club that was taken over by Qatar Sports Investments and has entered an era of high achievement. The club is associated with some of the most famous stars in world football. Which fan can avoid the reminiscence of the great acrobatic display of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the trickery of Neymar Jr, or the sheer pace of Mbappe? So many of these superstars among other legends have wielded their jerseys on the pitch.

The PSG trophy case proves that the club has dominated the domestic league. It is one of the most successful clubs in Ligue 1 tallying 12 titles of which 8 have been in the last 10 seasons. In addition to 15 Coupe de France titles, 9 Coupe de la Ligue titles, and 12 Trophee des Champions. In 1996, they captured the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, to cement their position in Europe.

Best French Football clubs