The French football league system, also known as the French football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in France and Monaco, and includes one Spanish side. [note 1] At the top two levels of the system is the Ligue de Football Professionnel, which consists of two professional national divisions, Ligue 1, Ligue 2.[1][2][3] Below that are a number of leagues run by the Fédération Française de Football. At level 3 is the semi-professional Championnat National.[4] Below that is the Championnat National 2 (level 4), which is divided into four parallel regional divisions, followed by the Championnat National 3 (level 5), which is divided into eleven parallel regional divisions. Underneath that are many more regional and departmental leagues and divisions.[5][6] Clubs finishing the season at or near the top of their division may be eligible for promotion to a higher division. Similarly, clubs finishing at or near the bottom of their division may be relegated to a lower division.
Starting in 2017–18 there were changes at levels 3 and 4 (in name only) and level 5 (significant restructuring and rename).[7]
As of the 2022–23 season, this is the structure of the amateur regional leagues, operating directly below the national leagues.
As of the 2019–20 season, this is the structure of the amateur departmental leagues, operating at various levels below the regional leagues.
There are no district divisions in Corsica. The system in Corsica goes up to Régional 4.
Clubs in the arrondissements of Paris are divided between the three surrounding suburban districts. The District of Hauts-de-Seine includes 6th, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th, the District of Seine-Saint-Denis has the 9th, 10th, 11th, 18th, 19th, 20th and the District of Val-de-Marne includes 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 12th and 13th.
From 2023–24 onwards :