Paris is a great footballing city

Bored of the Premier League? Why not hop on a plane and pay a visit to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain?

With flights taking little more than an hour from start to finish, it will probably take you less time to reach the famed Parc des Princes than most Premier League away journeys, and with a number of low budget airlines fighting for your custom, flights probably won’t cost much more than a train ticket, either.

Paris Saint-Germain – Meet the big one

The French league system has always struggled to keep up with its European counterparts. The very best talents that it has produced over the years have always been snatched away by bigger clubs elsewhere – think Zinedine Zidane by Juventus, Thierry Henry by Arsenal and Eden Hazard by Chelsea.  However, since 2011, PSG have broken the system by signing some of the very best players from across Europe.

The ability to do so was all thanks to the Qatar Sports Investments group, who purchased the club back in 2011 and proceeded to bring in big-names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Edinson Cavani. While the overall standard of their opposition might not be up to scratch, all this means is that spectators are almost certain to be treated to a handful of goals on match-days.

Despite only finding success in recent years, PSG have built up a dedicated fan-base in their short 45 year history, and, as a result, the 48,712-seater Parc des Princes is filled up with more than 45,000 Parisians most weekends. Due to the vast number of spectators, you are likely to be treated to a fantastic performance from the fans, whether you’re attending a Champions League clash against Chelsea, or a Ligue 1 game against Montpellier.

While French club football has struggled over the years, PSG certainly did a decent job with the Parc des Princes since they moved in back in 1973, with football fans often labelling it as one of the most atmospheric venues in Europe. Expect the club’s Ultras, usually seated behind either goal, to light up the stands with flairs, which will leave you feeling a lot further than an hour away from home.

The stadium was brilliantly designed to maximise visibility, and the use of concrete around the stadium does well to amplify the sound of the supporters. You will definitely leave with your ears ringing, but it only makes the event that little bit more unforgettable.

PSG website

Paris FC – Meet the underdogs

However, while PSG continue to lead the way, they aren’t the only club in Paris that are on the rise. The city’s oldest club, Paris FC, recently gained promotion to the second division after spending much of their existence playing amateur football.

The club was formed in 1969, as the city attempted to re-establish themselves in the football scene, and it is down to them that PSG was founded. The club merged with Stade Saint-Germain a year later to form the now-French champions, but a disagreement between the club and the city’s mayor saw FC Paris break-away just four years later.

The club can’t rival their city neighbours when it comes to league standing, playing quality or fan support, but if watching PSG almost certainly win doesn’t appeal to you, a trip to Paris FC’s 22,000-seater Stade Charléty might provide you with more of a buzz.

Paris FC website