Finding a billiards club near you

Carom billiards is best discovered at the table. A club means well-set-up tables, more experienced players who enjoy explaining, and often a trial session: it is the best place to check that you like the game before buying anything (see Equipment). This page explains where to look, what the choice between a club and a room changes, and what to expect the first time.

Where to look

Three leads, from the most complete to the most local:

• The federation's directory. The French Billiards Federation publishes a map of clubs across France. You can filter by regional league, by departmental committee and by discipline: pick carom, telling apart if needed the two table formats it lists (3.10 m and 2.80 m). It is the most up-to-date source, and the one that keeps you from landing on a pool or snooker club.
• Your region's league and committee. The federation is organised into regional leagues, themselves split into departmental committees. Their websites list the clubs in the area, the competition calendar and, often, open days or a billiards school.
• Local word of mouth. The town hall, the sports office or the autumn clubs fair usually know the club in your town or the next one. A small rural club does not always have an up-to-date website: a phone call beats an online search.

Club or partner room?

There are two ways to play with the federation. The table compares them; the amounts are those of the 2026-2027 federation licence, noted in October 2026 on the federation's website.

The licence (“license” in US spelling) is taken through the club (or the room manager), runs from 1 September to 31 August, and gives access to official competitions, with the insurance that goes with it. It is not required to play or to try the game: it is required for federation competitions.

These amounts come from the federation's “Join” page and may change from one season to the next; each club's own membership fee is not listed there. Always ask the club for the total.

Before you go: questions to ask

• Can you come and try it once or twice before committing?
• Is there an introductory session, a billiards school or a coach for beginners?
• What are the free-play hours, and the slots reserved for training or competitions?
• Are cues and balls provided? (Almost always yes for a first try.)
• Which tables: large or small? They don't play quite the same, and a club with large tables is more demanding for a beginner.
• What is the total cost of the first season: licence, membership, any room fees?

The first visit

Nothing to buy: the club lends a cue and chalk. Come in simple clothes and clean shoes, out of respect for the cloth. Say you are a beginner; most players are happy to take a few minutes to show the stance and how to hold the cue, which saves months of bad habits (see Basic technique). Try several cues if you are offered the chance: it is the best way to find out which weight suits you before choosing equipment of your own.

What if there is no club near you?

Look at a neighbouring department: a room three-quarters of an hour away for one session a week is still workable. Failing that, a table in a bar or a village hall is enough to practise the fundamentals, and the Test your table tool helps you judge whether the table is reliable. If several of you want to play in your town, the league or committee can tell you how to start a section or get support for a first room.

For licences, the federation gives all the details on its Join page.

This site is not affiliated with the federation. The information comes from its public website, noted in October 2026; each club has its own rules and prices.