The History of Darts in France

Darts are today one of the most popular pub games in France. But how did this sport of British origin conquer French bar counters? Let's look back at a rich history, from English pubs to modern amateur tournaments.

Origins: An English Pub Sport

The history of darts dates back to the Middle Ages in England. Soldiers reportedly began throwing short arrows at the bottoms of wine barrels to pass the time. The modern dartboard, with its 20 segments and doubles/triples system, was standardised in the early 20th century.

In 1927, the National Darts Association was created in England, marking the birth of organised darts. The 1970s-80s saw the television explosion with players like Eric Bristow and Phil Taylor, transforming darts into genuine entertainment.

Arrival in France: The 1980s-90s

Darts arrived in France primarily through two channels:

Irish and English Pubs

The opening of Anglo-Saxon pubs in major French cities during the 1980s introduced darts culture. Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux were among the first cities to see dartboards flourishing in their establishments.

Electronic Dartboards

Simultaneously, electronic dartboards arrived in bars and game rooms. More accessible and fun, they democratised the sport for a wider audience, even though purists preferred sisal.

Structuring the Sport: 2000-2015

The 2000s marked a turning point with the creation of federations and associations:

• The Fédération Française de Darts (FFD) structured national competition
• Regional leagues were established in major cities
• The first national rankings were created

Tournaments became increasingly professional, with standardised formats (501, Cricket) and defined skill levels.

The Amateur Renaissance: 2020 to Today

Since 2020, there has been a genuine revival of amateur darts in France. Several factors explain this phenomenon:

The Return to the Pub

After successive lockdowns, the French rediscovered the pleasure of pub evenings. Darts, accessible to everyone and creating social bonds, benefited from this momentum.

Social Media Influence

Darts videos are thriving on TikTok and YouTube. Short clips showing spectacular shots or fun evenings with friends inspire people to have a go.

Equipment Accessibility

With quality sets available from just £20-30, it's never been easier to get equipped for beginners.

Apps and Gamification

Platforms like FindMyDarts make it easy to find tournaments, track progression and join a community. Gamification (XP, levels, badges) motivates players to return and improve.

Darts in France Today

The current landscape is dynamic:

• Over 150 tournaments listed monthly in French bars
• Thousands of active amateur players across France
• 10 major cities with an active darts scene: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lille, Nantes, Strasbourg, Montpellier and Tours
• A dominant format: steel tip 501, followed by Cricket

What's Next?

The future of darts in France looks promising. The continuing professionalisation of the amateur scene, combined with digital tools that facilitate organisation and participation, points to sustained growth.

The challenge remains to structure the community and make it easy for new players to join. That's exactly the mission of FindMyDarts: find a tournament near you and write the next chapter of darts history in France.