Ligue 1 Teams – Discover Clubs Past and Present

Dating back to 1932, Ligue 1 is the top-flight of French professional football. Having grown significantly over recent years, Ligue 1 teams regularly compete in the latter stages of major European competitions. Our guide will discuss French Ligue 1 teams past and present. If you are looking to bet on French football this season, plenty of useful details will be found. 

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Map of Ligue 1 Teams 2024

Ligue 1 is made up of 20 clubs in total. Teams in Ligue 1 are scattered around France, from North to South, East to West. If you are looking for a Ligue 1 map, the following is a list of teams in Ligue 1 in 2022/23:

AC Ajaccio

Based in Corsica, AC Ajaccio was founded in 1910. Having finished as runners-up in Ligue 2 at the end of the 2021/22 season, the club gained promotion to Ligue 1. They are fierce rivals with Bastia, a club also based on the island of Corsica. Current head coach Pantaloni is currently in his third spell in charge of the team, with Ajaccio having been denied promotion in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Angers SCO

Based in Western France, Angers is a club founded in 1919. After spending years in the lower leagues, Angers achieved promotion to Ligue 1 for the first time in 2015. The team plays its home matches at the Raymond Kopa Stadium, a venue with a capacity of just over 18,000. In 2020, the club broke its transfer record to sign Paul Bernardoni for 8 million Euros. The club was then handed a transfer ban for the 2021 summer window.

AJ Auxerre

Founded in 1905, AJ Auxerre is one of the most historic football clubs in France. Having won the Ligue 1 title in 1996, Auxerre has produced a host of world class players over the years, including Eric Cantona and Laurent Blanc. The team secured promotion back to Ligue 1 in 2022, beating Saint-Etienne on penalties in their playoff tie. 

Stade Brestois 29 

Brest was founded in 1950, enjoying different periods of success, rising up the French footballing ranks. Promoted to Ligue 1 in 2010, Brest has competed in the top-flight every year since 2018. After an 11th place finish in the 21/22 season, Brest will be looking to further establish itself as a Ligue 1 club. Armenian coach Der Zakarian took over in 2021. 

Clermont Foot 

Founded in 2011, Clermont Foot in its current form has been competing since 1990, following a merger. From 2014-2017, the team was managed by Corinne Diacre, the first female to manage a men’s professional team. The club would go on to gain promotion to Ligue 1 for the first time in its history in 202, finishing 17th in their first season.

RC Lens

Based in Pas-de-Calais, Lens is a club founded in 1906. Playing in red and gold, Lens takes

part in the Derby du Nord against Lille. The club won the Ligue 1 title in 1998, while also finishing as runners-up four times. After a brief spell in Ligue 2, Lens returned to Ligue 1 in 2020. 

LOSC Lille 

Established in 1944, Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, a stadium

with a capacity of over 50,000. Lille shocked those around them by winning the Ligue 1 title in 2021, the fourth such success in the history of the club. Playing in red and blue, Lille’s main rival is RC Lens. 

FC Lorient 

Olympique Lyonnais 

Lyon are one of the best-known football teams in France. Around since 1899, the club has been nicknamed “The Kids”. Despite winning Ligue 1 seven times, Lyon has not finished at the top of the table since 2008. After finishing 8th at the end of the 21/22 season, Lyon will not compete in European competition during the 22/23 campaign.

Olympique Marseille 

1993 European Cup winners Marseille is a club founded in 1899. Playing at the famous Stade Velodrome, Marseille has shown signs of returning to its glory days over recent years. The club has nine Ligue 1 titles to its name, the last of which came in 2010. New coach Igor Tudor has been tasked with taking the club back to the top of the Ligue 1 table. 

AS Monaco

Founded in 1924, AS Monaco are 8x Ligue 1 winners. Based at the picturesque Stade Louis II stadium, the club has developed a reputation for developing young talent. The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Emmanuel Petit and Thierry Henry are all products of Monaco. The club is now owned by a Russian oligarch, having returned to Ligue 1 after being demoted due to their debts. 

Montpellier Hérault SC 

Commonly known as Montpellier, the club was formed in 1919. Winning the Ligue 1 title in 2012, the club is now mainstay in the French top division. Stade de la Mosson is the home of Montpellier, a stadium with a capacity of 32,900. Manager Dall’Oglio will have to take advantage of largely French players this season.

FC Nantes 

FC Nantes was founded during World War II, going on to win the Ligue 1 title 8x to date. Nicknamed the Green and Yellows, Nantes is one of the best-known football clubs in France. The team returned to Ligue 1 in 2013, having moved to its new stadium in 1984. The Nantes playing squad is dominated by French players, along with a handful of international talents. 

OGC Nice

4x Ligue 1 winners Nice were founded in 1904. Playing at the Allianz Riviera, a stadium with a capacity of over 36,000, Nice are managed by Lucien Favre. Having finished 5th in the Ligue 1 standings in the 21/22 season, the club will be hoping to push on over the coming years. With a playing squad full of international talent, it would be no surprise should Nice once again feature at the top of the table. 

Paris Saint Germain 

PSG was founded in 1970, with the club playing its home matches at the Parc des Princes

in the French capital. They won their first Ligue 1 title in 1986, before winning eight titles since 2012. PSG has become one of the biggest clubs in Europe over recent years, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr making them the most exciting team in the league. 

Stade Rennais 

2x Ligue 1 champions Rennes is a club founded in 1901. With one of the best academies in the country, the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Eduardo Camavinga have come through the system. Head Coach Genesio took over in 2021, having previously been in charge of rivals Lyon. 

Stade de Reims 

Founded in 1931, Reims gained promotion back to Ligue 1 in 2018. The club has six Ligue 1 titles to its name, the last of which came in 1962. Now managed by Oscar Garcia, over 20,000 fans attend Reims home matches.  

RC Strasbourg 

Founded in 1906, Strasbourg were the 78/79 Ligue 1 winners. Having won the Ligue 2 title in 2017 to return to the top-flight, the club recorded a 6th-place finish in 2022. Home matches are played at the Stade de la Meinau, a venue with a capacity of over 26,000. While not having any star names in their playing squad, Strasbourg continue to upset the odds in Ligue 1.

Toulouse FC 

Toulouse has been something of a yo-yo club over the years, moving between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Founded in 1970, the club plays its home matches at the Stadium de Toulouse. Toulouse was the springboard for many well-known players, including former French internationals Fabian Barthez and Andre-Pierre Gignac. 

ES Troyes AC 

Only founded in 1986, Troyes returned to Ligue 1 after winning the 2020/21 Ligue 2 title. Owned by the City Football Group, Troyes has an association with Manchester City, who regularly loan promising players to the Ligue 1 side. Manager Irles took over in 2022, while the club famously won the Intertoto Cup in 2001, beating Newcastle United in the final. 

Ligue 1 Relegated Teams in 2024

Like many European football leagues, two teams are automatically relegated from Ligue 1. Meanwhile, an additional club is at threat of relegation, taking part in a playoff match to determine its fate. 

Those teams finishing in 19th and 20th places will drop down to Ligue 2, with the 18th-place finisher moving forward to a two-legged decider. At the end of the 2021/22 season, St-Etienne were relegated after losing to Auxerre on penalties. The three Ligue 1 relegated teams from 2022 were:

• FC Girondins de Bordeaux
• FC Metz
• AS Saint-Étienne

Ligue 1 Promoted Teams in 2024

With Auxerre having returned to the list of Ligue 1 teams following their playoff victory over St-Etienne, there were two promotion spots remaining from Ligue 2. The clubs finishing in the top two positions in the standings come the end of the season secure automatic promotion. Offering greater financial rewards, bigger crowds and stronger opposition, the battle for promotion to Ligue 1 is always fierce. Come the end of the 21/22 campaign, it was the following teamd who made the step up:

• Toulouse FC
• AC Ajaccio
• AJ Auxerre

All Teams in Ligue 1 List 2024

A host of teams have featured in Ligue 1 over the years. Some have featured every year since the division was formed in 1932. Meanwhile, others have been relegated to lower divisions, before working their way back up to the top-flight. Below is a complete list of all 73 Ligue 1 football teams throughout history, delivered in alphabetical order:

Top Ligue 1 Teams with the Most League Titles

Our list of Ligue 1 teams features many teams that have won the title in their history. So, when it comes to the Ligue 1 map, which are the teams with the most Ligue 1 league titles? Over recent years, the competition has been dominated by PSG. However, in what may come as a surprise to many football fans, it is actually Saint-Etienne who holds the record. The table below shows the Ligue 1 teams with the most title wins:

Ligue 1 Teams in Paris

Despite being the capital of France, the list of Ligue 1 teams features very few teams from Paris. When it comes to Ligue 1 teams in Paris, it is only Paris Saint-Germain that are based in the capital. In the past, Paris FC, Red Star, Stade Francais and Club Francais have competed in Ligue 1. However, today, there is just one Ligue 1 team from Paris, listed below:

• Paris Saint-Germain

Final Thoughts on Ligue 1 Teams

The list of Ligue 1 teams certainly makes for interesting reading. Of course, those that are competing in the French top-flight today will be of most interest to football fans and punters. However, it is also fun to look at the teams who have featured in Ligue 1 in the past, and those who may well return one day. Our recommended bookie for Ligue 1 betting is displayed below. 

Ligue 1 Football Teams FAQs

[Q1]How many teams in Ligue 1 get Champions league?[/Q1] [A1]Two teams from Ligue 1 go into the Champions League Group Stage. Meanwhile, a third will feature in the Champions League third qualifying round. [/A1] [Q2]How many teams get relegated from Ligue 1?[/Q2] [A2]Two teams are automatically relegated to Ligue 2, which is those who finish in 19th and 20th positions in the standings. Meanwhile, the 18th-placed team will take part in the relegation playoff tie, held over two legs.[/A2] [Q3]How many Ligue 1 teams are there in Paris?[/Q3] [A3]Currently, there is just one Ligue 1 team based in Paris. It just happens to be PSG, a club that has dominated French football over the last decade.[/A3] [Q4]How many teams have won Ligue 1?[/Q4] [A4]To date, 16 different Ligue 1 teams have won the title. Saint-Etienne holds the record for the most Ligue 1 titles, with 10. PSG are likely to overtake them over the coming years.[/A4] [Q5]How many teams are in Ligue 1?[/Q5] [A5]20 different clubs make up Ligue 1. However, this figure will reduce to 18 ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. [/A5] [Q6]When was Ligue 1 founded?[/Q6] [A6]Ligue 1 dates back to 1932, with professional football in France having not existed up until this point. [/A6]