Club France is a non-stop of team France and the 2012 Olympic Games, and this 2012 London Olympic attraction is sure to be a hot spot. We’ll be live-blogging updates from the site, plus we’ve got all the essential information for you to plan your visit below:
Live Blog
Saturday, 11 August
2:00pm Large queue at the France House. You’re looking at at least an hour wait to get in. There are also more Olympic tickets for sale here.
Tuesday, 7 August
3:05 Huge queues at Club France at the moment at both entrances. Some people have been queueing for an hour, so it could be at least an hour before you get in. So if you want to come down here, I suggest coming back in a couple of hours or so.
Monday, 6 August
3:05pm There’s plenty to do here at Old Billingsgate Market, there are stands here from sponsors such as BMW and Adidas as well a bar and restaurant. Plenty of screens are showing the Olympic action. I’m told this has become a popular place for French athletes, and there could be some coming here tonight.
Saturday, 28 July
13:40 I’m happy to sit by the bar and watch the giant dual screen of Olympic boxig and Olympic cycling. Drink prices are on the high side, £5 for a pint of Heineken and £7 for a cocktail.
13:30 The French are also getting in the virtual biking games. Belgium offered a leisurely bike around Brussels (where I sustained an injury that will keep me out of this ride), but the French are giving you a race around the velodrome or a 100m rowing race. There’s even a machine to check how fast you can wave. Does anyone care? Apparently the French do, and the 118 km/h is blooming fast.
13:13 It’s rather suave in here. Modern, low lighting and bright displays. A good amount of screens showing live events and public food and drink areas, along with sponsor spots and sponsor based activities. You can also get your picture taken with the Olympic torch — the wait was about five minutes when I went.
13:01 Bonjour! Club France looks hot so far, the queue is 20 people deep and it’s only the first day and lunchtime. I eventually got in through metal detectors and a bag x-ray. Tickets are £5 from 9am to 7pm, or free for anyone with an Olympic ticket for the day.
Need-to-know
Where is it: Old Billingsgate Market
Nearest tube: Tower Hill, Monument or Tower Gateway
Hours: 9am to 7pm for most admission; some special tickets available until 2am.
Cost: Ticket holders from that day’s events receive free admission. General admission is £5 a day, with discounts for weekly passes.
Watching the Games: The Games will be available on big screens inside Club France.
Highlights: Interactive multi-media stations. Stage with live entertainment, including athlete interviews and book signings. Resident artists DJ Kheops and Cover will provide music for the club. Catering by renowned French food company Fauchon. Souvenirs for fans in shops.
Restrictions: Admission to the restaurant “La Brasserie” is separate from general admission, packages can be purchased here.
