When FC Bayern plays, everyone in my family knows what's going on. “It’s ‘me’ time,” says Bernard. His wife knows the look, and so do his children. Laptop open, chat open, the rest of the world can wait a moment. For 25 years, the Frenchman has been following the record champions from afar as the founder of FC Bayern France, the largest French-speaking community for FC Bayern fans.
Founded in 2000, the fan club is now the central point of contact for FC Bayern supporters in France. With over 18,000 followers on Facebook, 13,000 on X and a growing community on Instagram, it's clear that the ‘Reds’ have long since made their mark in France.
The fan club is based in Port-Villez near Paris, but its members come from all over the country – from Normandy to Marseille, they are now eagerly awaiting the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain (Tuesday, 21:00 CET) and their German ‘home’ team.
Founded in 2000: 100 percent passion
Bernard, founder and webmaster, remembers the early days well. “I wanted to combine my two passions: FC Bayern and the world of IT,” he says. In 2000, when the internet was still in its infancy, he set up the website fcbayern-fr.com. Writing articles, entering results, selecting photos, designing the layout – all done by hand, with pure enthusiasm.
Over time, the site grew, and with it the community. One of the first regular visitors was Olivier, known online as 1976. The nickname refers to the year his passion for Bayern began: at the European Cup final in Glasgow. “I was ten years old and fascinated by the team with Beckenbauer, Müller and Maier,” he says. Online contact turned into friendship, and friendship turned into teamwork. Today, Bernard and Olivier run the site together.
Bayern: a family affair
“FC Bayern is more than just a club to me, it's part of my life,” says Bernard. His family shares this passion: his son watches every game, his daughter celebrates with him, and his wife accepts him for the mega-fan he is: and with good humour.
For Olivier, FC Bayern stands for values such as discipline, loyalty and solidarity. “From Kurt Landauer to Gerd Müller, this club has always shown heart. And it has proven that you can support people even when they are going through difficult times.”
A strong community
Today, communication between members mainly takes place via Discord – a virtual meeting place where games, transfers and legends are discussed on a daily basis.
And who are his favourite players? For Bernard, they are Oliver Kahn, Mehmet Scholl, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribéry and Philipp Lahm. Olivier raves about Gerd Müller and the ‘Breitnigge’ era: for him, Paul Breitner and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge still embody FC Bayern to this day.
Red and white from Paris to the north
The heart of the fan club beats in the Île-de-France region, an area that combines history, culture and cosmopolitanism. Paris stands for dynamism, elegance and joie de vivre – in the truest sense of the phrase! And, of course, countless places that every Bayern fan should see at least once: the sparkling Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, the Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre or nearby Versailles.
But FC Bayern France is also at home in the north: Olivier lives in the Hauts-de-France region, not far from Lille and Lens. There, where football and joie de vivre go hand in hand, people meet in quaint bars, enjoy Belgian beer and tell stories about everyone from Franz Beckenbauer to Thomas Müller.
A place to meet up
An integral part of the community is the annual FC Bayern France tournament. Here, members meet, play football, laugh, celebrate and live the values that connect them to Munich: passion, respect and team spirit.
“It's always a special weekend,” says Bernard. ‘Men an” women of all ages stand on the pitch wearing Bayern jerseys, some with their children. That's exactly what our club is – a family in red and white.”
“Mia san mia” in French
„In 49 years, I have witnessed over 90 percent of this club's titles. But it's not just the trophies that count, it's what FC Bayern embodies: hard work, pride, humanity.”
Olivier from FC Bayern France
For Bernard, the famous motto ‘Mia san mia’ means self-confidence without arrogance. “It's a philosophy of life. FC Bayern doesn't imitate anyone. It goes its own way.” This way of thinking also inspires him in his everyday life: “It reminds me to stay true to myself and follow my path with conviction.”
Olivier continues: “In 49 years, I have witnessed over 90 percent of this club's titles. But it's not just the trophies that count, it's what FC Bayern embodies: hard work, pride, humanity.”
Lasting memories
When Bernard talks about great Bayern moments, his eyes light up. “Wembley was perfect.” The 8-2 win against FC Barcelona in 2020 also left a lasting impression: “That wasn't just football, it was a demonstration.” Olivier prefers to think back to 1980, to a 4-2 win in Cologne that paved the way to the title – and to Robben's volley at Old Trafford in 2010. “You never forget moments like that.”
Tips for the perfect trip to Paris
Those who follow FC Bayern to the French capital will not only experience football, but also one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe. Between history, culture and atmosphere, the weekend can be easily combined with passion.
The match will take place at the legendary Parc des Princes, in the south-west of the city, in the Boulogne-Billancourt district. The best way to reach the stadium from central Paris is by taking Métro line 9 (towards Pont de Sèvres, Porte de Saint-Cloud stop) or Métro line 10 (towards Boulogne, Porte d'Auteuil stop). From there, it is about a ten-minute walk. The stadium seats just under 48,000 spectators and is known for its steep stands and intense atmosphere.
If you want to watch the game with other fans or simply raise a glass to FC Bayern, the following locations are ideal: The Moose (16 Rue des Quatre Vents, 6th arrondissement) – sports-mad, family-friendly, with live broadcasts of all the big games; The Long Hop (25 Rue Frédéric Sauton, 5th arrondissement) – lively sports bar with international guests; or the Bombardier Pub (2 Place du Panthéon) – a classic among Parisian pubs.
After the game, you might want to go for something a bit more traditional and French: near the Eiffel Tower, there's Café Constant (139 Rue Saint-Dominique, 7th arrondissement). If you like it rustic, make a reservation at Bistrot Paul Bert (18 Rue Paul Bert, 11th arrondissement) – a Parisian institution for steak and red wine. And if you stroll along the Seine in the evening, you'll immediately understand what the members of FC Bayern France mean when they say: “Mia san mia à la française.”
Willkommen in Frankreich
“To all Bayern fans travelling to France: Bienvenue!” says Bernard. “Here, passion knows no bounds.” French supporters invite anyone wearing red to join in the fun, share the excitement and enjoy the experience together.
Whether at tournaments, in cafés or in front of the screen, FC Bayern France lives the ‘Mia san mia’ spirit with French charm. Because, as Bernard says, “No matter where we are in the world, we all belong to the same family: FC Bayern.”
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