Allez les Bleues

Allez les Bleues! How to cheer along Les Bleues, like a local...

Sydney has well and truly come down with a case of football fever, with the Women’s World Cup in full swing. At Alliance Française Sydney, we’ve been closely following the competition, cheering on Les Bleues, and so we thought we’d share some key phrases to help Les Bleues fans cheer on the team:


“Allez les bleues, Allez les bleues, Allez !”

This translates to “Go, the Blues!" in English. It’s a common cheer you will hear fans using to support the French national women's football team.


“Allez les bleues, tes supporters sont là !”

This means "Go, the Blues, your supporters are here!"


“Qui ne saute pas n'est pas Français, hey !” 

In English, this is “Whoever doesn't jump is not French, eh!" It’s used in a playful way to encourage people to join in the festive atmosphere and show their enthusiasm. In particular, it can be used to make noise in the stands by banging on the bleachers.


Aux armes (*2) ! Nous sommes les français ! Et nous allons gagner ! Allez la France (*2)

In English, this is "To arms (*2)! We are French! And we will win! Let's go, France (*2)!" 

This song refers to the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise” and often one side of the stadium will start the chant, and then the other side responds. This creates a back-and-forth rhythm, like a question and answer game. It’s enough to make your opponents tremble!

During games, French fans also sing their full national anthem: 

Allons enfants de la Patrie, (Let's go, children of the Fatherland)
Le jour de gloire est arrivé ! (The day of glory has arrived!)
Contre nous de la tyrannie, (Against us, tyranny's)
L'étendard sanglant est levé, (bis) (Bloody standard is raised,) (repeat)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes (Do you hear in the countryside)
Mugir ces féroces soldats ? (The roaring of these fierce soldiers?)
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras (They come right into your arms)
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes ! (To cut the throats of your sons, your companions!)

Aux armes, citoyens ! (To arms, citizens!)
Formez vos bataillons ! (Form your battalions!)
Marchons, marchons, qu'un sang impur (Let's march, let's march! May impure blood)
Abreuve nos sillons ! (Water our furrows!)

If you want to get really in tune with French supporters, it’s helpful to also know they are:

  • Loud and boisterous. French fans love to support their team with fervour. Singing is an integral part of French fan culture.
  • Demanding. French fans are very demanding of their team's performance and expect great results.
  • Critical. They are passionate about criticising any refereeing decision that doesn't go in France's favour. It's an art form! 

We hope these key phrases will help you cheer on Les Bleues like a local! Jump right in and join the excitement as we cheer on Les Bleues together!

Allez les Bleues !


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