Places to watch France

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Places to watch France

An estimated 400,000 French people have made the trip across the Channel to settle in London, making up one of the largest immigrant groups within the European Union. The vast numbers of our Gallic neighbours makes London effectively the fifth biggest French city – and the area around South Kensington has become known as 'Le Petit Paris' or the 21st arrondissement, with Bute Street earning the moniker 'Frog Alley'. Other hugely French neighbourhoods are Notting Hill, Marylebone and, latterly, Bethnal Green – all of which seem to be packed to the mansard rafters with frogs, so to speak. It's highly fitting, then, that France's first Group D game in Euro 2012 will be against England. Should France win, expect the whole of London to be kept awake with tooting horns; but should Les Bleus lose, you'll probably begin to doubt that there are even 10,000 French people in London, let alone forty times that amount. Laurent Blanc's squad is packed with outstanding talent such as Samir Nasri, Yann M'Vila and Karim Benzema but whether they can string together a cohesive team performance is another matter. As the World Cup in 2010 showed, the French can self-combust at the drop of a hat. Perhaps this is the year when they finally pull it all together and recreate their success of the late 90s? Bonne chance!

 

 

Le Bar des Magis

Tel: 020 7738 0307

Le Bar des Magis Le Bar des Magis, 7-9 Battersea Rise London, SW11 1HG Bars

7-9 Battersea Rise, London, SW11 1HG

Tube: Clapham South Station

 

 

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Look no further than Clapham's Le Bar des Magis for your Gallic port of call for the Euros. Adjoined to the popular bistro Le Bouchon Bordelais - which itself sponsors the local French-flavoured Sunday league side the Mavericks - Le Bar des Magis is a genuine French establishment which shows all of Olympique Lyonnais games and has attracted hoards of crowds during France's recent tournament exploits. The drink of choice at this Battersea Rise favourite is, of course, Kronenbourg, while there's even a crθche next door so you don't have to worry about your "gamins" during the games.

 

 

 

Cine Lumiere

Tel: 020 7073 1350

Cine Lumiere Cine Lumiere, Institut Francais Cultural Centre, 17 Queensberry Place London, SW7 2DT Cinemas

Institut Francais Cultural Centre, 17 Queensberry Place, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DT

Tube: South Kensington Station , Gloucester Road Station

 

 

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The Institut Francais is putting on screenings of France's Euro 2012 games at the popular Cine Lumiere in South Kensington. It won't have quite the same atmosphere as a bar or a pub, but you'll get a marvellous view on the cinema screen – and it's bound to be popular with the locals (ie. the French). Tickets are under £10 but subject to availability so do check the website for booking details. For more information visit www.institut-francais.org.uk.

 

 

 

Le Troquet

Tel: 020 73 51 5939

Le Troquet Le Troquet, 430 Kings Road London, SW10 0LG French Cuisine

430 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 0LG

Tube: Fulham Broadway Station

 

 

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Right in the heart of affluent Chelsea on the Kings Road, Le Troquet is a French Bistro that is very popular with French football fans in the capital. The bistro regularly shows games from the domestic French tournament Ligue 1 and will be one of the premier places to watch France during Euro 2012. And, if you're there for the food as well, the French fare is excellent.

 

IN THIS ARTICLE

• France Games
   
• Le Bar des Magis
   
• Cine Lumiere
   
• Le Troquet
   

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