FFN — Fédération Française de Natation

What is the FFN?

The Fédération Française de Natation (FFN), the French Swimming Federation, is the national body for the aquatic sports in France. It describes itself as “une fédération agréée et délégataire” — an approved federation holding delegated authority from the state — and as an association recognised as being of public utility.^[3] Explaining its name, the federation writes that its purpose is to federate: to bring people together around a common project, at national, regional and local level.^[5]

What does the FFN govern or do?

Article 1 of the FFN’s statutes sets its object as “l’organisation générale, le développement et la démocratisation de l’éducation sportive et du sport” in its delegated disciplines: swimming, open-water swimming, ice and cold-water swimming, water polo, diving and artistic swimming. It also covers masters swimming, health programmes and leisure aquatic activities.^[4] Its missions include the French championships, the selection of the national teams, performance programmes and the rules of competition.^[4] Its staff is organised in four directorates, one of which manages the Olympic disciplines and learn-to-swim and health programmes.^[5]

When was the FFN founded and where is it based?

The FFN states that it “a été créée le 20 novembre 1920” — was created on 20 November 1920 — and that it was officially declared in Paris on 7 December 1920. It records that it was recognised as being of public utility by a decree of 7 July 1932, published in the Journal officiel on 13 August 1932.^[3] Article 2 of its statutes places its seat at 104 rue Martre in Clichy.^[4]

How is the FFN recognised?

European Aquatics. European Aquatics’ directory of member federations lists France’s member as the French Swimming Federation.^[1]

World Aquatics. The preamble of the FFN’s statutes, in the version adopted by its general assembly of 29–30 May 2026, records the federation’s affiliation to World Aquatics for swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming, and to the International Ice Swimming Association for its cold-water disciplines.^[4]

What does the FFN organise?

The FFN’s site carries the Championnats de France — the French championships — across its disciplines, together with results and competition calendars.^[2] Under its statutes, the organisation of the French championships and the selection of the teams that represent France fall to the federation.^[4]

Who are its members?

Article 3 of the FFN’s statutes makes its members the affiliated sports associations — clubs constituted under the law of 1901 — while regional leagues and departmental committees act as the federation’s internal territorial bodies.^[4] The federation publishes model statutes that its regional leagues and departmental committees are required to adopt, in a version dated June 2026.^[3]