Élite 1


Élite 1 Féminine is the top national league for women's rugby union clubs in France. It was founded from the 1971–1972 season under the aegis of the French Women's Rugby Association before being taken over by the French Women's Rugby Federation, it has been organized by the French Rugby Federation since 1989. The first season was won by the ASVEL Rugby women's team.
The championship used to take place in two phases: a so-called qualification phase, which is contested by all the teams, and a final phase which is played by direct elimination. From 2015 to 2018, the championship is referred to as the Top 8. From 2018-2024, the championship went from a single pool of 8 clubs to two pools of 16, with the 8 best clubs qualifying for the final phase; meanwhile two clubs would be relegated to Élite 2 at the end of the championship.
Beginning again with the 2024-25 season it returned to a single pool of 8, playing in a double round robin, with 4 teams qualifying for the final phase, and 1 team being relegated to Élite 2. This ensured that the top teams would play each other more frequently, and the FFR believes will improve results for the national team Les Bleues. Beginning in 2025 AXA came on as official sponsor for the league.
As with men, the most successful club in France is Toulouse: it is Toulouse Fémina Sports, with 9 French championship titles, in 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984 and 1985. Montpellier RC is the second most successful team with eight titles.
ASM Romagnat won the Élite 1 2020–2021 season.
Stade Bordelais are the most recent champions, winning three consecutive titles.

Teams

2024–2025 Élite 1 Féminine season teams:
ClubStadiumCapacity
Stade Ernest-Argelès4,000

Henri-Wallon Stadium
1,000
Stade Sainte-Germaine / Stade Chaban-DelmasN/A / 34,462
Stade Lesdiguières12,650
Plaine des Jeux de GerlandN/A
Stade Sabathé6,500
Stade des Pérouses500
Stade Victor Marquet1,000
Stade Ernest-Wallon19,500
Stade Emmanuel-TheryN/A

Winners and runners up

  • Current Élite 1 Féminine participating clubs indicated in bold
ClubWinsRunners-upWinning SeasonsLast win
911975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1982 1984 19851985
'842007 2009 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 20192019
531992 1997 1998 2001 20032003
402004 2005 2006 20082008
401983 1986 1987 19881988
391974 1981 19891989
321999 2000 20022002
'302023 2024 20252025
251990 19931993
231994 19951995
212010 20112011
201991 19961996
'1320222022
'1320162016
1219731973
'1120212021
1020122012
1019721972
04
'03
03
'02
01
'01
01
01