France
French professional soccer's top tier league is Ligue 1, which began play in 1936. After play was suspended during WW II, Ligue 1 (originally called Première division until 2003) grew in popularity. Today it is France's most popular professional sports league, though considered to be qualitatively a step below soccer in Germany, Italy, England and Spain. Ligue 1 is somewhat unique among European sports leagues as one of their teams--AC Monaco--isn't based in France at all. French soccer bettors should be aware that the 'public perception' of Ligue 1 is that its play is too cautious and defensive oriented, resulting in many draws and low scoring games.












