Women’s buhurt in France is a story of passion, challenges, and perseverance. Enter Les Lys de France, a newly-formed unofficial national team created in 2024 with a simple but ambitious mission: to represent French women fighters on the international stage. Formed to fill a gap in opportunities for local clubs struggling to assemble full women’s teams, Les Lys marks a significant step toward revitalizing the sport for women in France, though the journey is far from over.
A Team Built on Common Ground
Les Lys embodies a symbol that every French fighter can rally behind—the three golden fleurs-de-lys on a royal blue background. This design, rooted in medieval France’s history, serves as both their banner and a reminder of the shared heritage uniting these fighters, many of whom had never met before stepping into the arena together.
A Historic Debut
The team officially came together in 2024 and made their debut at the Way of Honor tournament—an important milestone for French women’s buhurt. The event was the first time these fighters competed as a team. Despite the challenges of coming together just weeks before the tournament, Les Lys represented not only their skills but also their determination to forge a path for women in the sport. Their roster spanned generations of fighters, from seasoned veterans who started in 2017 to fresh recruits who joined only months earlier, demonstrating a shared commitment to building something new.
Facing Challenges Head-On
The road to Way of Honor was anything but smooth. Les Lys contend with a significant logistical challenge: their fighters are spread across all corners of France, making regular training sessions nearly impossible. Despite this, they managed to organize a few meetups, focusing on building basic cohesion. Then, in August, the team suffered a blow when their star runner, Jojo, sustained a serious knee injury. Rather than let this setback discourage them, the team regrouped, reworked their strategy, and entered the tournament with fierce determination.
Their teamwork and adaptability proved to be their greatest strengths, showing that even a newly-formed team can accomplish remarkable things when united by purpose.
Building Connections Beyond the Arena
With limited opportunities to train together, Les Lys focus on staying connected through a vibrant online group chat. Here, they exchange training tips, memes, and motivational messages, fostering a sense of camaraderie and keeping team morale high. By prioritizing communication both on and off the battlefield, Les Lys have created an environment where every fighter feels valued and supported, no matter how far apart they may be.
Their preparation for Way of Honor was also unique. Meeting at a local restaurant the night before the tournament allowed the team to connect over a shared meal—an important icebreaker for a group that, in many cases, was meeting in person for the first time. After the competition, they celebrated their hard work and decompressed with a trip to a German thermal spa, a fitting reward for their efforts.
A New Era for Women’s Buhurt
The Lys de France are not just a team; they represent hope for the future of women’s buhurt in France. While this is only the beginning, they’ve already shown what’s possible when fighters come together, even under difficult circumstances. The road ahead remains challenging, with limited resources and opportunities to train as a cohesive unit, but Les Lys are determined to continue building on this foundation.
How Fans Can Support
As a newly-formed team, Les Lys don’t yet have their own social media presence, but fans can support the fighters by following their individual home teams through the French Federation’s platforms. By cheering for their progress and sharing their story, the community can help foster greater visibility and growth for women’s buhurt in France.
Looking Ahead
The debut of the team at Way of Honor is a symbol of what’s possible in French women’s buhurt—not a culmination, but a promising beginning. While the challenges are many, the team’s resolve to push forward proves that even the smallest steps can lead to meaningful change. Together, they aim to strengthen their connections, train more regularly, and show the world what French women fighters are capable of.
Les Lys’ story is a testament to the power of perseverance and teamwork, reminding us that every journey begins with a single step.
Montjoie Saint Denis!
Based on the interview with Louise Hullin
Edited by Aleksandra Lebdowicz
Photos by Zoom en Lice and Xu Hui