Its played more in the south and is seen as a game for the middle classes and an alternative to the hooliganism of football. The French love it, areas such as Tolouse, Biarritz etc.

That's a good question Well the reason it's popular in south more than north, because Germany occupied north of France in World war 2 Why a significant sport, i think because the payment were allowed (against IRB rules at that time) i am not sure, it's a wonderful game so the question should be why isn't significant elsewhere