Key points
- FC Versailles draws inspiration from the Château de Versailles to build a strong and modern identity.
- The club is aiming for full professionalization and promotion to Ligue 2 under the leadership of Alexandre Mulliez.
- Lacking an approved home stadium, FC Versailles has had to relocate its matches, but benefits from the support of Pierre Gasly for its development.
Summary
FC Versailles is much more than just a football team competing in the French National league (25/26 season). This Paris-region club, inspired by the international aura of the Château de Versailles and driven by the — let’s say visionary — outlook of its new owner, is seeking to redefine the codes of modern football.
A “royal” heritage and new ambitions
Although relatively young, having been founded in 1989 following the merger of two Versailles-based clubs, FC Versailles has experienced a fairly quiet trophy history. However, the club achieved a historic run during the 2021–2022 edition of the Coupe de France, reaching the semi-finals.
In 2023, Alexandre Mulliez, heir to the Auchan empire, took over the club with the aim of fully professionalizing it. Targeting promotion to Ligue 2, the new leadership has implemented rigorous, business-inspired methods and has sustainably stabilized FC Versailles in the National league.
In recent years, the club has increasingly embraced the image of the Château de Versailles to build a strong and distinctive brand. Its new visual identity and Kappa kit subtly incorporate royal colors and the sun emblem.
The new FC Versailles home and away shirts from Kappa 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bdc2IutRBA
— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) July 18, 2024
Innovative communication and an assertive “start-up” approach
Since the takeover, the club has deployed a bold digital strategy with a creative and unconventional tone, deliberately breaking away from traditional football communication codes.
This drive for modernity has recently sparked controversy. Following a report broadcast on Canal+, FC Versailles faced significant criticism regarding its handling of a player the club wished to part ways with. The widely discussed sequence raised questions: was it simply a communication misstep, or a deliberate choice to generate debate and media exposure — even at the risk of dividing opinion?
The club today: challenges and sporting visibility
From a marketing perspective, the strategy appears to be paying off, with the club regularly occupying media space. On the sporting side, however, the picture is more mixed: FC Versailles has struggled to deliver consistent results on the pitch and even flirted with relegation during the 2024/2025 season.
Infrastructure challenges: the stadium issue
The Stade Montbauron lacks approved floodlighting due to its proximity to the Château de Versailles, which is officially listed as a historic monument — a major constraint for an ambitious club.
Forced to relocate its home matches for several seasons, whether at Stade Jean-Bouin or the Camp des Loges, the club has seen its local roots weakened. The management is actively seeking a long-term solution in the Île-de-France region to resolve this structural issue.
Influential figures supporting the project
In 2024, Pierre Gasly, a Formula 1 driver competing at the highest level of motorsport, joined the project as a third partner. Beyond his image and international reputation, the Normandy-born driver also provides financial backing, directly contributing to the club’s development. His arrival has strengthened the credibility of the Versailles project and enhanced its visibility well beyond French football circles.
🇫🇷✅ 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly is now the co-owner of 3rd tier French side, FC Versailles! ⚽️🏎️
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) March 19, 2024
"This is the beginning of a beautiful story. I have been passionate about football since my childhood." pic.twitter.com/7aDPBoExCJ
FC Versailles: a future worthy of its royal ambitions?
In conclusion, FC Versailles clearly displays its sporting ambitions, with promotion to Ligue 2 firmly in its sights. While the club’s bold communication strategy and its owners’ “start-up” vision continue to spark debate, one thing is certain: FC Versailles has stepped out of the shadows.
However, one major issue remains unresolved. Until the infrastructure question is sustainably addressed, it will be difficult for the club to reach the next level and establish itself higher in the professional football hierarchy.
FAQ
Who currently owns FC Versailles?
Alexandre Mulliez and Fabien Lazare took over the club in 2023 with the ambition of fully professionalizing it. Pierre Gasly joined them as a minority shareholder in 2024.
What is Pierre Gasly’s role within the club?
As an active partner, he brings his high-performance expertise and international network to support partnerships and expand the brand’s global reach.
Which stadium does FC Versailles play in?
Forced to play away from its traditional home ground for several seasons, FC Versailles does not currently have an approved stadium in Versailles. The issue primarily stems from non-compliant floodlighting linked to constraints imposed by the proximity of the Château de Versailles.
The club played its matches at Stade Jean-Bouin until the 2024/2025 season before moving to the Camp des Loges for the 2025/2026 campaign. This situation highlights the club’s ongoing structural fragilities, despite its sporting ambitions.
Very recently, several media outlets, including the French sports newspaper L’Équipe, revealed that a highly advanced project by FC Versailles involves building its future stadium (with a planned capacity of between 10,000 and 15,000 seats), as well as its training center in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
