Experiencing the CAN to the fullest from Île-de-France is possible. The African Cup of Nations, 2024 version, began on Saturday January 13 and lasts for a month until February 11, with all the flagship selections from the African continent on the program. The competition is broadcast exclusively on BeIN Sports. For enthusiasts who are not subscribed to the group’s paid channels, there is only one solution left: go out. Le Parisien offers you a selection of the best places to enjoy the CAN.
To each nation its lair
If you are a fervent supporter, and you are looking for an atmosphere that suits your tastes and colors in terms of football, you will have to make a choice. For Senegal fans, the best place to enjoy a Teranga Lions match is on rue Doudeauville, in the 18th arrondissement of the capital. Here, the Thiapathioly restaurant welcomes you with open arms, provided you support the Lions of Teranga.
Opened six months ago, this restaurant quickly became a haunt for Lions supporters. “It’s also a mix of cultures, there are a lot of Ivorians and French,” notes Pape, a restaurant employee. And we eat very well there, this is where you have to come and see Senegal! »
Another big favorite of the competition, Morocco also has the right to its refuge. To do this, head to the streets of Mantes-la-Jolie (Yvelines) where one of the largest Moroccan communities in France is located. Out of 43,000 inhabitants, nearly 13,000 come from the community of the semi-finalist of the last World Cup. There, a number of brands will satisfy you in terms of atmosphere. For added taste, Le Pub Les Coulisses will keep you fed, particularly with its many homemade burgers.
See a match at the embassy?
For Cameroon supporters, it is better to return to the capital, more precisely to the 18th arrondissement and the Goutte d’Or district. Here, the CAN takes place every afternoon, and when the Indomitable Lions are out, it’s difficult to avoid an outing to Bolon, rue des Poissonniers. On the program, a very warm atmosphere. However, it is recommended to arrive early, otherwise you will have to watch the match standing or from the street. It is also better to come with your green Indomitable Lions jersey to fully enjoy the passionate debates surrounding the selection.
In a more intimate atmosphere, the Basra restaurant, rue des Chartres, in the 18th arrondissement is a good spot to enjoy an Algeria match. This small, friendly canteen will allow you to enjoy delicious skewers or inexpensive grilled eggplants. If the Fennecs’ goals are celebrated there, the atmosphere remains family. For the more extroverted, we recommend heading towards the numerous bars or kebabs in the Barbès district.
Cameroon supporters at Bolon, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris and the Goutte d’Or district. LP/Hervé Bellenger
To support the host country, Le Parisien invites you to switch to originality by going to the Ivory Coast embassy, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris (102, avenue Raymond-Poincaré). Here, as during the opening match, you will have the opportunity to watch the Elephants’ matches in the company of Ambassador Maurice Bandaman, who said he was “proud to offer a moment of sharing to the Ivorian diaspora. »
If the location is more official, the promise has for the moment been kept with the broadcast open to the public of all matches from January 13 to February 11.
For the eternally dissatisfied, the better-known chains of establishments like Au Bureau will always do the trick, notably that of Rue du Commerce in the 15th arrondissement. Also in Paris, the Prince Palace, 76, avenue des Champs-Élysées (in the 8th arrondissement) promises a fan zone 100% dedicated to the African Cup of Nations where all the matches are broadcast. For all those who prefer the atmosphere of Irish pubs, the O’Sullivans in Cergy (Val-d’Oise) will do the trick, but be careful, the matches at 1 or 3 p.m. will not necessarily be visible.
In the closer suburbs, the Big Tom Pub in Boulogne-Billancourt or the Mama Shelter near Puteaux and La Défense offer a slightly more cozy but just as promising atmosphere for enjoying the CAN. Between now and February 11, there is time to test several options anyway!
