bleues

Bleues is the feminine plural form of blue in French and is used as a nickname for French women's national sports teams. The term derives from the blue color of the French national flag and the blue jerseys worn by teams representing the country. In media and everyday speech, "Les Bleues" signals a team of women competing at the international level under the French federation.

The most prominent usage is for the France women's national football team, commonly referred to as Les Bleues. The nickname is also applied to other France women's national teams across sports, including basketball, handball, rugby union, and volleyball. While widespread, the label is largely a cultural shorthand rather than an official designation; it reflects national identity and team color more than a formal team name.

In contrast, male national teams are typically called Les Bleus, with related forms such as Bleuets used for certain youth teams (for example, the France national under-21 football team). The distinction between Bleues and Bleus mirrors French gendered naming conventions for national teams.

The usage of Bleues is part of broader French sports culture, where color-based nicknames emphasize national symbolism. The term can appear in match reports, broadcasts, and fan discourse, contributing to a shared identity around France’s women in international sport.