The popularity of French racing has grown in the UK in the past couple of years. This is in no small part to the coverage on Sky Sports Racing and the attheraces.com website.
This has seen a better offering from UK bookmakers regarding their French racing output. Though overrounds still tend to be higher than the UK (particularly in handicaps), there are plenty of opportunities to bet profitably on French racing.
The following bookmakers all take bets on all premium (PMU) meetings in France. Several have welcome offers as well. If you’re looking to bet on French racing, please see our ranking of the best UK bookies for French Racing.
William Hill
William Hill offer early prices for the majority of French race meetings, as well as plenty of different options to bet. These include the following:
Insurebet, where you receive your money back if the horse is placed, is often a very good angle for French racing betting, particularly in the conditions races when the fields might not be too competitive.
The William Hill place only betting frequently offers better odds than you would get if betting each-way on your selection, while they also offer a betting without market, which again can be an attractive betting angle in France.
Bet365
Bet365 often price up French racing overnight and frequently offer best price, particularly on outsiders.
The each-way extra market is a valuable tool in profitable betting in France, as is their betting without market. This can include betting without two horses in the same race, and allowing you to bet each-way on that market.
They also offer a insurebet option on French racing, similar to William Hill.
Skybet
Skybet have a really strong offering for French racing betting. They frequently have insurebet options down to four and even five places. Their place betting markets are also attractive. Skybet also offer betting without markets on French racing.
Fitzdares
Fitzdares are well known to take a view on races and they seem willing to take larger bets than many of the high street bookies. Their offering on French racing is limited to win, place, each-way and forecast betting. They have a dedicated text line for getting bets on, which is very helpful if betting on the go!
The Fitzdares.com website is very functional and easy to use. They do price up the majority of French race meetings, and offer a facility to request a bet or request a price as well.
Ladbrokes/Coral
Though no longer appearing on Oddschecker.com, Ladbrokes and Coral continue to offer a comprehensive French betting service. This includes insurebet and betting without markets. They also offer extra places on big-field handicaps.