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Last updated:
December 23, 2022
Sometimes, it’s hard to jump from children’s books and young adult novels to bonafide French literature.
The gap is often tough to jump purely because of a lack of advanced French vocabulary.
It naturally follows that the best advanced French vocab list out there would be one of words taken from a piece of writing that ties them all together.
So, if you don’t feel quite ready for novels, why not find your advanced vocab lists through short stories?
Contents
- Tips for Keeping Your Advanced French Vocabulary on Lock
-
- Flashcards
- The “20 words a week” method
- The “categorize by topic” method
- The “just keep reading” method
- Amazing Short Stories to Learn Vocabulary With
-
- “La Parure” (“The Necklace”) by Guy de Maupassant
- “Les Révoltés de la Bounty” (“The Mutineers of the Bounty”) by Jules Verne
- “La Morte amoureuse” (“The Dead Woman in Love”) by Théophile Gautier
- “L’Auberge rouge” (“The Red Inn”) by Honoré de Balzac
- Learn French with Camus: A 20-word Advanced Vocabulary List from “L’Hôte”
-
- 1. Entamer
- 2. Le raidillon
- 3. Peiner
- 5. Valoir
- 6. D’ailleurs
- 7. Errant
- 8. La détente
- 9. Ainsi
- 10. Paraître
- 11. Une lame
- 12. Craindre
- 13. À l’abri
- 14. Faire des bêtises
- 15. Se diriger (vers)
- 16. Fuir
- 17. Gémir
- 18. Furtif
- 19. Une calotte
- 20. Nouer
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Tips for Keeping Your Advanced French Vocabulary on Lock
Oh? So we’re just supposed to read short stories and that’s it? Unfortunately, only a select few people have the amazing talent of looking at something once and remembering it forever. Most of us need tools to turn the French words on the page into something you can recycle later and use casually in conversation.
So here are a few useful variations on the good old vocab list.
Flashcards
This is a classic method. You may have fond memories of using them in French courses or maybe on your own to prepare for a Francophone trip. But thanks to modern technology, you don’t necessarily have to buy a bulk pack of index cards and get marker smears all over your fingertips.
Electronic flashcard apps make it easy for you to make flashcards without the pen-and-paper grunt work. Or, you can use an immersion program like FluentU to build multimedia flashcard decks with content from authentic French videos. You can then review these words with personalized quizzes. But whether you’re using an app or index cards, the whole point is that they’re convenient to take with you and perfect for on the go.
Words that you come across while reading can make for great flashcard vocabulary lists. If you’re going to do it old-school, remember that color coding your words into categories (noun, verb and adjective), and drawing special symbols on cards to remember masculine or feminine, can make learning them that much easier and that much more fun.
The “20 words a week” method
Pace yourselves, guys.
Please, whatever you do, don’t make 200 flashcards and then force yourself to go through all of them in a week. It’s not going to happen. You need to be spending your precious French-learning energy on more than just flashcards (watching French films is clearly more fun), so don’t spend all of your time on them.
Give yourself around 10-15 minutes a day, but only 15-20 words a week. I know it doesn’t seem like a lot, but you’re likely to retain all 20 words, and you’re only spending a little more than an hour a week.
A lot of vocabulary you’ll pick up naturally, so try concentrating your flashcard energy on increasing reading comprehension (take 20 words from a short story you didn’t understand and then make a list, like we’ll do in a quick moment). Just don’t go overboard!
The “categorize by topic” method
It’s a lot easier to learn vocabulary if all of the words are related. A completely random list, not tied to any reading text, topic or food group (because you know learning food words is important for good eating in France), is going to be more difficult to memorize. When you stick to, say, all the vocabulary you need for going camping, then you have a context. You can make practice sentences easily or find additional articles, films, etc., to enforce that vocabulary.
Challenge yourself with topics that you struggle with. If you’re having trouble thinking of something, try picking an article from Le Monde and go from there!
The “just keep reading” method
Remember when you were a kid, and you tried to pick up a book that was too big for your britches? There were a lot of words you probably had to look up, or maybe being a kid, you just gave up.
But now, you can probably read just about anything in English with ease. Think of yourself as that kid again. Did you learn all of those literary words by going through flashcards for two hours a day? Well…maybe you did…but likely not.
You just kept reading.
So just keep reading those French books and stories. You may not understand every word, but when you’re reading a tenth book in a French series, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll understand more than you did in Book One. That’s the magic of reading.
We’ve already discussed why short stories are perfect for the advanced learner. Now for some recommendations!
Amazing Short Stories to Learn Vocabulary With
The nice thing about short stories is that…they’re short. Wow, way to state the obvious. You can:
- Read them once.
- Write down vocabulary you didn’t understand.
- Make a few flashcards.
- Read them again, understand more and really enjoy them.
This is a lot harder to do with a full-length book. Plus, you can totally do the above with one short story a week, without going completely crazy from self-assigned French homework. So before we jump into our featured presentation, here are a few more famous French short stories to get you started.
“La Parure” (“The Necklace”) by Guy de Maupassant
First of all, Maupassant is a treasure trove for great French short stories. In fact, he’s one of the people responsible for crafting short stories the way we know them today. He’s got loads of stories to test your vocabulary skills with. Let’s just say you have to scroll for a good moment on Wikipedia to see his list of “notable” shorts.
“La Parure” is about a woman who thinks that she deserves jewels and basically whatever her heart desires, but she’s married to your average Joe of a clerk, who, bless his little heart, tries really hard to make her happy. Well, to avoid giving anything else away, let’s just say the story is about greed and financial woes. Oh, but it has a twist! Did I mention that Maupassant is basically like a 19th-century French M. Night Shyamalan?
“Les Révoltés de la Bounty” (“The Mutineers of the Bounty”) by Jules Verne
If you have any kind of learning towards science-fiction, then you’ve likely dabbled in reading some Jules Verne already—maybe a bit of “Journey to the Center of the Earth” or “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”? Well, you’ve at least seen the movies, I’m sure. If you’re ready to transition to some original-language Verne, then start with his short stories, and if they’re easier than you thought, go for one of his novels!
“Les Révoltés de la Bounty” is based on the events of a…mutiny on a British ship called the…Bounty. Anyway, it’s all about adventure and is actually part of a series of stories by Verne called “Voyages extraordinaires” (“The Extraordinary Adventures”), so I guess it’ll be pretty extraordinary, too.
“La Morte amoureuse” (“The Dead Woman in Love”) by Théophile Gautier
Something of a post-Renaissance Renaissance man, Gautier dipped his toes into novels, poems, short stories and criticism. A writer from the school of Romanticism, he brushed elbows with the likes of Victor Hugo and Gérard de Nerval.
“La Morte amoureuse” is, in fact, part of a long literary tradition: vampires! Basically, the gist of this story is that a priest falls in love with a beautiful woman, who…wait for it…is totally a vampire. I’m not spoiling anything; the title pretty much already gave that away.
“L’Auberge rouge” (“The Red Inn”) by Honoré de Balzac
Balzac made it his business to paint an honest portrayal of society after the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. As he was one of the founders of the realism movement in literature, you may have read ripples of his writing in the works of Charles Dickens or Henry James. Not only is this guy an amazing writer to pick up if you’re looking for some great French novels, but he also wrote plays and of course short stories (hence why this short story is in this post). Balzac is a cornerstone of French literature, and well, just literature while we’re at it.
“L’Auberge rouge” is a little more on the creepy side for Balzac, taking place at a dinner party where someone tells a spooky story.
And now for the main event!
Learn French with Camus: A 20-word Advanced Vocabulary List from “L’Hôte”
You may be familiar with the name. That’s because Camus is one of the most famous French authors of all time. Whether you’ve read a translation or the original version in French, he always makes for an interesting read. He won a Nobel Prize, for Pete’s sake!
Now, we’re going to take all that talk about how to learn vocabulary with literature and actually put some action to it. If you really like this story and are looking for a longer text, then “L’Étranger” (“The Stranger”) is amazing and not too difficult of a read for people starting on long-form French literature.
This story, “L’Hôte” (“The Guest”), is about a French schoolteacher, Daru, who watches two men climb towards the schoolhouse where he teaches (in French Algeria). When the two men arrive, Daru is informed that he is to take one of the men (a prisoner of the other) to the police. After initially refusing, he agrees to do so and takes the prisoner in. But it soon becomes clear that Daru is not totally against letting this guy get away. And as for the rest…
You can buy the story as part of this great dual-text collection, which gives you several more short stories to continue with your advanced vocab learning!
Here’s a list of words plucked from the story that are both useful in reading and everyday French life.
1. Entamer
Let’s get started. No really, this verb means “to start on.” So get started on studying this vocabulary list…or else.
Camus’ usage (line 3):
Ils n’avaient pas encore entamé le raidillon abrupt qui menait à l’école, bâtie au flanc d’une colline.
(They had not yet started on the slope leading to the schoolhouse built on the hillside.)
Everyday usage:
Je vais entamer mes devoirs ce soir.
(I’m going to start on my homework tonight.)
2. Le raidillon
It’s an easy stroll down the slope from here! Okay, I won’t make silly jokes on every vocabulary word, but un raidillon is in fact a slope. This vocabulary word is especially useful if you live in the hills.
Camus’ usage (line 3):
Ils n’avaient pas encore entamé le raidillon abrupt qui menait à l’école, bâtie au flanc d’une colline.
(They had not yet started on the slope leading to the schoolhouse built on the hillside.)
Everyday usage:
Le raidillon là-bas est parfait pour faire du skateboard.
(The slope over there is perfect for skateboarding.)
3. Peiner
Meaning: to struggle. Feel free to use this for every struggle in your struggle book from French vocabulary to accidentally leaving the TV remote in the kitchen. Life is hard, so remember this verb.
Camus’ usage (line 4):
Ils peinaient, progressant lentement dans la neige...
(They struggled, progressing slowly in the snow…)
Everyday usage:
Je peine à me réveiller le matin.
(I struggle to get up in the morning.)
4. Apercevoir
To catch sight of, to glimpse. When voir (to see) is just too straightforward for your flowery advanced French language skills, get this irregular verb up in your vocab.
Camus’ usage (line 21):
Par temps clair, on pouvait apercevoir les masses violettes du contrefort montagneux où s’ouvrait la porte du désert.
(In the clear weather, one could see the purple mass of the mountain range where the gap opened onto the desert.)
Everyday usage:
Si tu vas en Californie, tu apercevras des célébrités.
(If you go to California, you will catch sight of celebrities.)
5. Valoir
Is this really worth all the trouble? Shh! Of course it is. Valoir means “to be worth.” Use it to talk about how many expensive treasures you have in your closet or use it more figuratively like in the example below.
Camus’ usage (line 28):
Mais cela valait mieux que ces trois jours où l’épaisse neige tombait au milieu des ténèbres incessantes…
(But still this was worth more than those three days when the thick snow was falling amidst unbroken darkness…)
Everyday usage:
Cette bague vaut plus que ta maison. (This ring is worth more than your house.)
6. D’ailleurs
Need more French filler words than donc and alors? Look no further than this favorite. It means literally “from elsewhere,” but you can use it to say “by the way,” “moreover” or “besides.”
Camus’ usage (line 36):
Il avait d’ailleurs de quoi soutenir un siège.
(Besides, he had enough to resist a siege.)
Everyday usage:
D’ailleurs, tu as quelque chose entre tes dents.
(By the way, you have something between your teeth.)
7. Errant
Ah, dreams of travel, that bohemian nomadic lifestyle. Whether you’re using this adjective to describe you and your international adventures or your eccentric aunt who moves around in her RV every two weeks, errant means nomadic or wandering and comes from the present participle of the verb errer (to wander).
Camus’ usage (line 45):
…cette armée de fantômes haillonneux errant dans le soleil…
(…that army of ragged ghosts wandering in the sunlight…)
Everyday usage:
Je rêve de la vie errante.
(I dream of the nomadic life.)
8. La détente
Time to get a little political. There will come a time when you need to talk politics. Une détente is like the relaxation of political tension. Alternatively, it’s when something physically relaxes. It also can translate to mean a gun trigger. Though Camus forgoes all of these in this example, and uses the word figuratively to describe constant rain.
Camus’ usage (line 53):
Et, tout d’un coup, cette neige, sans avertissement, sans la détente de la pluie.
(And suddenly this snow, without warning, without the ceasing of rain.)
Everyday usage:
On espère qu’un jour on aura une détente entre tous les pays.
(One hopes that one day there will be a relaxation of tension between all the countries.)
9. Ainsi
You’ve probably seen this word thrown around once or twice, but kept forgetting to look it up. Ainsi means “like this” or “in this way,” making it a great word to get bossy with.
Camus’ usage (line 54):
Le pays était ainsi, cruel à vivre…
(This is the way the region was, cruel to live in…)
Everyday usage:
Il faut danser ainsi.
(One must dance like so.)
10. Paraître
Like its slightly easier-to-pronounce synonym sembler, paraître means to seem like or to appear to be. Seems pretty useful to me (heh heh).
Camus’ usage (line 108):
Ça bouge, paraît-il.
(Things are moving, it appears.)
Everyday usage:
Cela paraît étrange de manger le petit déjeuner pendant la nuit, mais j’aime bien.
(It seems strange to eat breakfast during the night, but I like it.)
11. Une lame
Hopefully the word “blade” isn’t in your vocabulary a whole lot, not unless you work in a kitchen…or a…knife store? But you’ll see it a bit in literature, especially if you like adventure novels!
Camus’ usage (line 134):
Balducci fit le geste de passer une lame sur sa gorge et l’Arabe…
(Balducci made the gesture of drawing a blade across his throat and the Arab…)
Everyday usage:
Ne joue jamais avec une lame !
(Never play with a blade!)
12. Craindre
If you’re looking to say you’re afraid, you’ve got two options: avoir peur de and craindre. The latter is easier to throw around once you’ve got the conjugation figured out.
Camus’ usage (line 153):
Pourquoi ? Je n’ai rien à craindre.
(Why? I have nothing to fear.)
Everyday usage:
Je crains d’oublier tous ces mots.
(I’m afraid of forgetting all these words.)
13. À l’abri
It’s a twister! Get under cover! It’s a monster! Get to safety! Basically à l’abri means “under cover,” in case I didn’t make that clear with all of my exclamations.
Camus’ usage (line 154):
S’ils se soulèvent, personne n’est à l’abri, nous sommes tous dans le même sac.
(If there’s an uprising, no one is safe, we’re all in the same boat.)
Everyday usage:
Il arrive, tout le monde trouve un endroit à l’abri ! (He’s coming, everyone find a place under cover!)
14. Faire des bêtises
I see what you’re getting up to over there. You’re getting into mischief, acting a fool, making a mess. Essentially, the blanket phrase here in French is faire des bêtises.
Camus’ usage (line 169):
Tu fais des bêtises, dit-il lentement.
(You’re making a mistake, he said slowly.)
Everyday usage:
Elle mange le riz avec un couteau. Elle fait des bêtises !
(She’s eating the rice with a knife. She’s being foolish!)
15. Se diriger (vers)
So, the verb diriger means to move, to guide or to manage. But the reflexive of this verb, which sometimes includes the preposition vers (around) in its construction, means to head for or to move towards.
Camus’ usage (line 185):
Puis il se dirigea vers la porte.
(Then he headed for the door.)
Everyday usage:
Elle criait, alors je me suis dirigé(e) vers la sortie.
(She was screaming, so I headed for the exit.)
16. Fuir
Run for the hills! Flee! Hopefully you’ll read this more than speak it, but hey, you never know if you’ll need some of these vocabulary words for a future career as un espion (a spy).
Camus’ usage (line 216):
Il s’étonna de cette joie franche qui lui venait à la seule pensée que l’Arabe avait pu fuir et qu’il allait se retrouver seul sans avoir rien à décider.
(He was amazed at the unmixed joy he derived from the mere thought that the Arab might have fled and that he would be alone with no decision to make.)
Everyday usage:
Les abeilles ! Il faut fuir !
(The bees! We must flee!)
17. Gémir
We’re almost done, so quit your moaning and whining! The verb gémir in French means to moan or whine, but this is referring to the sound you make when you’re feeling pain, not when you’re complaining that you don’t want to eat your kale.
Camus’ usage (line 290):
L’Arabe se retourna sur le côté, présentant le dos à Daru et celui-ci crut l’entendre gémir.
(The Arab turned over on his side with his back to Daru, who thought he heard him moan.)
Everyday usage:
Il a gémi quand il a vu qu’il était quatre heures du matin. (He moaned when he saw that it was four in the morning.)
18. Furtif
Technically, furtive is an English word as well. It’s not a super-common one, but all the same. In either French or English, it means to be stealthy or secretive (more spy vocabulary).
Camus’ usage (line 316):
Plus tard encore, il lui sembla entendre, du fond de son sommeil, des pas furtifs autour de l’école.
(Still later he seemed, from the depths of his sleep, to hear stealthy steps around the schoolhouse.)
Everyday usage:
Nous avons besoin de quelqu’un de furtif pour notre équipe.
(We need someone stealthy for our team.)
19. Une calotte
The formal French version and the informal version of this noun are vastly different. Formally, it’s a skull cap, more specifically, the Belgian kind. Informally, it’s a slap on the head. I wonder which you’ll use more often? Hmm. Though Camus uses the formal version, it’s figurative, so watch out for that.
Camus’ usage (line 363):
Une sorte d’exaltation naissait en lui devant le grand espace familier, presque entièrement jaune maintenant, sous sa calotte de ciel bleu.
(He felt a sort of rapture before the vast familiar expanse, now almost entirely yellow under its dome of blue sky.)
Everyday usage:
Sa mère n’aime pas quand elle donne une calotte à son frère.
(Her mom doesn’t like when she hits her brother [on the head]).
20. Nouer
And now to wrap it up, tie up loose ends, put a knot in it, we have nouer, which means to tie or make a knot.
Camus’ usage (line 388):
Daru sentit sa gorge se nouer.
(Daru felt his throat knot up.)
Everyday usage:
Il ne peut pas nouer ses chaussures ?
(He can’t tie his shoes?)
Now you have something to go on.
Remember that you can pull a vocabulary list from most French content, like short stories, novels, TV shows, radio or magazine articles.
As an advanced French learner, it’s your job to learn all the words.
Every. Last. One.
Well, maybe not to that extreme, but you get the idea.
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Practise your French reading comprehension with our ever-growing collection of interactive French readers for every CEFR level from A0 to C1!
While reading the text, click on any phrase to see the English translation and related French grammar lessons.
All readers are made by our qualified native French teachers to help you improve your reading skills and confidence.
Boost your French reading comprehension by adding the lessons you find most interesting to your Notebook right from the reader and practising them later.
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Learn about Mother’s Day in France while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Bonne fête des Pères !
PrépositionVerbe irrégulierLe Présent (Indicatif)ComparatifAdjectif possessifCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about Father’s Day in France, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- C’est qui Coluche ?
AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiFamous People
Learn about French icon Coluche in this cute animated video.
- C’est quoi le 14 juillet ?
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPrépositionArticleLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Politics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about France’s National Holiday and its origins, while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Célébrations de Thanksgiving
AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativePrépositionVerbe irrégulierCelebrations & Important Dates
Our international Kwiziq team take a look at holidays from their respective countries that resemble the American Thanksgiving.
- Comme d’habitude — Claude François
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Voix pronominalePronom d’objet directFamous PeopleMusicFamily & Relationships
Discover the lyrics of «Comme d’habitude», the original French version of Sinatra’s «My Way», while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Comment est née la langue française ?
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionArticle définiPronom réfléchiPolitics, History & EconomicsLanguage & Education
Where did the French language come from? Get the short answer in this cute animated video for children.
- Comment fabriquer une piñata d’Halloween
Mode impératifPrépositionPronom adverbialAdjectif possessifL’Impératif PrésentCelebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure
Learn how to make a special piñata for Halloween, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Comment rafraîchir les villes et les maisons tout en restant écologique
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiPrépositionVerbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Technology & Science
Discover interesting ways to sustainably cool down buildings and cities in this video, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Comment rester en bonne santé
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Forme négativeAdjectifFood & DrinkSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships
Get tips to stay healthy while practising your French reading and listening skills.
- Connaissez-vous bien le fromage français ?
AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Question/InterrogativePrépositionPronom d’objet directFood & Drink
Test your knowledge about French cheeses with this fun questionnaire, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Connaissez-vous bien le vin ?
Le Présent (Indicatif)Question/InterrogativeAdjectifPrépositionPronom réfléchiFood & Drink
Test your knowledge about wine making in France with this fun questionnaire, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Conseils pratiques pour profiter des marchés de Noël
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierAdverbeAdjectifCelebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure
Get some practical advice to help you make the most of Christmas markets, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- D’où vient la tradition du marché de Noël ?
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPlurielPronom réfléchiAdjectifPolitics, History & Economics
Learn a bit of the history behind France’s traditional Christmas markets in this cute video.
- D’où vient le nom des Schtroumpfs ?
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectAdjectifPronom d’objet directPronom d’objetFilm & TV
Learn how the name of les Schtroumpfs (Smurfs) came to be, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Dame Tartine (Comptines de France)
PrépositionAdjectif possessifPlurielAdjectifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Music
Sing along to this delicious French nursery rhyme while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Des températures record pour le mois de mai en France et en Espagne (2022)
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiPrépositionPronom d’objet indirectTechnology & Science
Listen to this news report about May 2022 heatwave in France and Spain, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Divali : la Fête des Lumières à Vancouver
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiAdjectifVerbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important Dates
Learn about the joyful festival of Diwali, celebrated by Indians all over the world, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- DIY Pâques — Œuf avec message surprise à l’intérieur
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionForme négativePronom d’objet directCelebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure
Follow this tutorial to make a fun decorated egg with a surprise message inside, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Éclipse en Guadeloupe
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifArticle définiAdverbeFilm & TVTechnology & Science
While the Great American Total Eclipse was just a partial eclipse in Guadeloupe, it was still a sight to behold and required the same special glasses.
- Édith Piaf (Portraits français)
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifPronom d’objetAdjectif indéfiniFamous PeopleMusic
Learn about the great French artist Édith Piaf, while practising your French reading and listening skills.
- Euro 2016
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifGenrePrépositionGenre fémininCelebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure
Learn about the Euro (European football/soccer championship) 2016, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Festival de Cannes
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPronom réfléchiLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)PlurielFilm & TVCelebrations & Important Dates
One of the most famous and prestigious film festivals in the world is held annually in Cannes. Learn a bit of its history and traditions in this French video with transcript and translation.
- Festival des cerfs-volants
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierComparatifAdverbePronom d’objet directMonuments, Tourism & VacationsCelebrations & Important Dates
Berck-sur-Mer is home to an annual kite-flying festival — and it’s going on right now! Learn about this colorful event with this video while working on your French listening comprehension.
- France Gall, la groupie du pianiste
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeFamous PeopleMusic
France Gall passed away in January 2018. Learn about this French singer with a unique voice in our bilingual article.
- French Elections
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPlurielPolitics, History & Economics
Learn about French elections while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Game of Thrones (no spoilers)
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectPlurielFilm & TV
For all you GoT fans out there (and anyone who’d just like to know what all the fuss is about), here’s a video talking about all the records this fantasy TV show broke in its eight-year run.
- Hajj
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about the Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Il est né le divin Enfant (Chant de Noël)
Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectAdjectif possessifAdjectif indéfiniInfinitifFilm & TVCelebrations & Important Dates
Sing along to this very popular French Christmas carol, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Il y a un monstre sous mon lit !
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectVerbe irrégulierL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directFamily & Relationships
Enjoy this lovely monster story, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Inventions françaises
PrépositionAdjectifArticleLe Présent (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Politics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important DatesTechnology & Science
Hundreds if not thousands of products you use every day started out as nothing more than an idea — and many of those ideas were originally French.
- Jardin d’hiver, de Keren Ann
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectPrépositionPronom d’objet directForme négativeMusic
Practise your French listening and reading comprehension with this wintery song.
- Joyeux Hanoucca !
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifGenre fémininPrépositionPlurielCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn more about the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Kwiziq French Film Fest — C.R.A.Z.Y.
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdverbeAdjectif possessifAdjectifVerbes réguliers avec -ERFilm & TV
Here’s Aurelie’s selection for the Kwiziq French Film Fest: French Canadian film «C.R.A.Z.Y.»
- Kwiziq French Film Fest — Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiPronom relatifPronom d’objetArticle définiFilm & TV
Here’s Grzegab’s review of this French comedy classic for the Kwiziq French Film Fest.
- L’anniversaire de Cyril
Verbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdverbeFamily & Relationships
Practise listening and reading with this story about a surprise party.
- L’Arnacœur — French Film Fest
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdverbeVoix passivePronom relatifPronom réfléchiFilm & TV
The first Kwiziq French Film Fest review comes from none other than our CEO, Gareth «Gruff» Davies.
- L’enseignement en ligne : Témoignage de Céline
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifAdverbeAdjectif possessifLanguage & EducationTechnology & Science
Learn about some of the pros and cons of online teaching in this interview with Céline.
- L’oral de français en Première
Le Présent (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifAdverbeAdjectifPronom réfléchiLanguage & Education
At the end of «Première,» the penultimate year of French high school, French students have to take a literary oral exam. Many of the tips offered in this video can be applied to other oral exams.
- La chasse aux œufs
PrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiVerbe irrégulierCelebrations & Important DatesSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships
Join the hunt for Easter eggs, while practising your French B1 reading and listening comprehension.
- La châtaigne, trésor d’automne
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierPronom réfléchiLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Food & Drink
Learn about a family business making chestnut cream, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- La fête de la Saint-Patrick
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifPrépositionPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
Saint Patrick’s Day is the most important day of the year for Irish people all over the world. Learn about this 17 March celebration with this video.
- La lettre d’amour d’un vampire
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet directVerbes « semi-réguliers »Pronom d’objet indirectLiterature, Poetry, TheatreFamily & Relationships
Enjoy this lovelorn vampire’s love letter, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- La Mère Michel (Comptines de France)
Pronom d’objet indirectVerbe irrégulierPronom d’objet directLe Présent (Indicatif)Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Music
Sing along to the famous French nursery rhyme «La Mère Michel» while practising your French listening comprehension.
- La pelote basque (Les sports régionaux de France)
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifPronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectSports & Leisure
Discover the Basque country’s own ball game «Pelota Basqua», while you practise your French reading and listening comprehension.
- La rentrée des classes de Mathilde
Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet directVerbe irrégulierMode subjonctifLanguage & EducationFamily & Relationships
Discover Mathilde’s well-organised plan for the first day back-to-school, , while practising your French B1 reading and listening comprehension.
- La tradition de la Galette des Rois
Le Présent (Indicatif)ComparatifAdjectifPronom relatifPronom réfléchiFood & DrinkCelebrations & Important Dates
Have you ever eaten a Galette des Rois? This famous French cake, eaten only in January, contains a surprise!
- La valeur inestimable de Notre-Dame de Paris
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPrépositionPronom d’objet directMonuments, Tourism & VacationsPolitics, History & Economics
Notre-Dame de Paris, a jewel of French Gothic architecture, was partly destroyed by fire on 15 April 2019. Learn about some of the damage that was done in this video.
- Le Bataclan, un théâtre hors du commun
AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom relatifVerbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & Vacations
On the 2nd anniversary of the monstrous attack which cost 90 people their lives on November 13th, 2015, and as the Bataclan theater opens its doors again, we wanted to pay tribute to this mythical place of Paris nightlife.
- Le Dîner de cons — French Film Fest
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPronom réfléchiPronom d’objetConjonction de subordinationFilm & TV
Laura’s review for the Kwiziq French Film Fest.
- Le Farz Fourn (Spécialités de Bretagne)
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifAdverbePrépositionPronom d’objet directFood & Drink
Discover the Breton dessert known as Farz Fourn in our bilingual article. This is part of our Spécialités de Bretagne series.
- Le Festival du cinéma américain de Deauville
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierMode subjonctifAdjectifFilm & TVCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about the American movie festival that takes place in Deauville, Normandy, each year.
- Le FIFF (Festival International du Film Francophone)
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)AdverbeAdjectifPronom relatifFilm & TV
Learn about this great French-language film festival from Namur, in Belgium.
- Le français moderne
L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiAdjectifVerbes réguliers avec -ERPolitics, History & EconomicsLanguage & Education
Learn about Modern French in part five of our series of bilingual articles on the development of French over the centuries.
- Le Kig ha Farz (Spécialités de Bretagne)
Le Présent (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom réfléchiAdjectifFood & Drink
Learn about the traditional Breton stew Kig ha Farz in our continuing Spécialités de Bretagne series
- Le Kouign Amann (Spécialités de Bretagne)
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifAdjectif possessifPronom réfléchiFood & Drink
Learn about Bretagne’s famous dessert Kouign Amann (butter cake) in this first installment of our Spécialités de Bretagne series.
- Le Salon du chocolat
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPronom réfléchiPronom relatifAdjectif indéfiniFood & DrinkCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about Paris’s annual chocolate festival while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Le Salon International de l’Agriculture
AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)PlurielAdverbePrépositionPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
The annual Salon International de l’Agriculture is the largest French agricultural event of the year.
- Le TCF sur ordinateur
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectPronom réfléchiPronom d’objet directForme négativeLanguage & Education
Learn how to take the official French test known as TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français), while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Le Tour de France
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom relatifVerbes avec être comme auxiliaireCelebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure
Learn about this famous French bike race and incredible test of endurance, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Le tournoi de Roland-Garros
Le Présent (Indicatif)ArticlePrépositionVerbe irrégulierAdverbeSports & Leisure
Learn more about Roland-Garros tournament (or French Open), the only Grand Slam tournament played on clay courts, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Leap Day — La journée bissextile
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Conditionnel PrésentVerbe irrégulierAdjectif possessifMode subjonctifCelebrations & Important Dates
This extra day comes but once every four years — learn the reason for Leap Day and Leap Year and how to talk about them in French.
- Léo et Popi : la Galette des Rois
Le Présent (Indicatif)L’Impératif PrésentMode impératifVerbe irrégulierAdverbeFood & DrinkCelebrations & Important Dates
Fun video about la Galette des Rois, featuring Léo et Popi from the classic French children’s book by Helen Oxenbury.
- Les bonnes résolutions de fin d’année
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbePrépositionSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships
New year, new opportunity to make exercise a habit. Here’s what a French gym and some of its newest members have to say about it.
- Les bouchons, plaie de la route des vacances
AdverbePrépositionQuestion/InterrogativeSlang/Expression/Highly IdiomaticLocution prépositiveMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships
When you’re driving, the worst part of vacation is getting there and back, and France sees more than its fair share of summer traffic jams.
- Les cours d’anglais — Gad Elmaleh
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierPronom d’objet directFilm & TVLanguage & Education
Enjoy Gad Elmaleh’s stand-up comedy about learning English in this video.
- Les Fêtes Johanniques de Reims
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPronom réfléchiPronom relatifPlurielFamous PeopleMonuments, Tourism & VacationsPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about Reims’s historical celebration commemorating Charles VII’s coronation, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Les Galettes de Blé Noir (Spécialités de Bretagne)
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPrépositionAdjectif indéfiniAdverbeFood & Drink
Learn about Bretagne’s delicious «galette de blé noir» — savoury buckwheat crêpe — in this latest installment of our Spécialités de Bretagne series.
- Les Lichouseries (Spécialités de Bretagne)
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifArticlePronom d’objet directFood & Drink
Learn about some of Bretagne’s famous «lichouseries» — i.e. sweets [US: candy] — in this next installment of our Spécialités de Bretagne series.
- Les maillots du Tour de France
AdjectifPrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure
There are four official Tour de France jerseys — do you know what the colors mean?
- Les mamans calmes
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom réfléchiPronom disjonctifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Family & Relationships
To celebrate Mother’s Day in France, here’s a sketch by the famous French stand-up comedian Florence Foresti, in which she explores the difficulties of motherhood, especially the irritating case of «perfect moms.» Language warning: some mild vulgarity.
- Les Médiévales d’Ouffet
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom relatifPronom disjonctifPronom réfléchiMonuments, Tourism & VacationsCelebrations & Important Dates
Every two years, the Belgian town of Ouffet hosts Les Médiévales, a weekend medieval festival.
- Les nouvelles régions
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPronom relatifPronom d’objetForme négativeMonuments, Tourism & Vacations
The map of France underwent some big changes this year — learn about the new regions and their names in this bilingual article.
- Lupin — Interview d’Omar Sy (Séries françaises)
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectPronom relatifFamous PeopleFilm & TV
Listen to the awesome French actor Omar Sy tell us how TV show «Lupin» came to be, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Marianne (Les Symboles de la République française)
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdverbePrépositionAdjectifArticlePolitics, History & EconomicsImmigration & Citizenship
Learn about the origins of Marianne, the iconic woman of the French Republic, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Marie Curie
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionArticleVerbes « semi-réguliers »Famous PeoplePolitics, History & EconomicsTechnology & Science
Ready for two minutes of women’s history? Listen to French kids talking about renowned scientist Marie Curie in this cute video.
- Menton’s Lemon Festival
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifAdverbeVerbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Food & Drink
The lovely French town of Menton is famous for its annual lemon festival. Take a behind-the-scenes look with this video.
- Milo — Les œufs en chocolat
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom adverbialPrépositionLe Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifCelebrations & Important Dates
Watch this fun video about Easter and follow along with the transcript and translation!
- Mon français est fantastique avec Kwiziq !
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectForme négativeLanguage & Education
Rebecca tells us why she loves Kwiziq as her new French learning tool in this Bilingual article.
- Monsieur Grognon
Forme négativeLe Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom d’objet indirectLanguage & EducationFamily & Relationships
Put your French negation skills to work with this bilingual article — click any phrase to see the English translation as well as links to related French grammar lessons.
- Naissance de la langue française
AdjectifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Simple (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectif possessifPolitics, History & Economics
Modern French dates from about the year 1300, but where did it come from? Learn about the birth of French in this French audio and transcript — just click any phrase for the English translation and related grammar lessons.
- Noël en France — Christmas in France
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPrépositionArticle définiVerbes « semi-réguliers »Celebrations & Important Dates
How is Christmas celebrated in France? How are Christmas Eve and Christmas Day different in France than in the US or UK?
- Omar Sy — Interview Cinéma
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifQuestion/InterrogativePronom d’objet directFamous PeopleFilm & TV
French actor Omar Sy is known for a number of international hits, including Les Intouchables, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Jurassic World. In this interview, he talks (quickly!) about some of his favorite movies.
- Parle-t-on français ailleurs dans le monde ?
Le Présent (Indicatif)ArticleVerbe irrégulierArticle définiLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Language & Education
Is French spoken anywhere outside of France? Find out in this cute animated video for children.
- Partir étudier à l’étranger — les qualités à avoir
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdverbeForme négativePronom relatifLanguage & Education
Listen to these French students talking about their experience of studying abroad, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Petit Papa Noël — Tino Rossi
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierCelebrations & Important DatesMusic
Sing along to the timeless French Christmas classic «Petit Papa Noël», while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Plus de faits intéressants sur le français
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPrépositionComparatifForme négativePolitics, History & EconomicsLanguage & Education
By popular demand, more interesting facts about French, while practising your French reading and listening skills.
- Plus tard — Bigflo & Oli
Le Présent (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdverbeVerbes avec -DREMusic
Did you ever have one of those funny superstitions when you were little? Reminisce with this melancholy song about childhood (and adulthood) by French hip-hop duo Bigflo & Oli composed of two brothers from Toulouse, while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Pollution à Paris
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierArticle définiLe Présent (Indicatif)Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Technology & Science
Air pollution is a problem all over the world, and the capital of France is no exception. Fortunately, the mayor of Paris is taking steps to reduce it.
- Pourquoi les Français sont-ils si fiers de leur cuisine ?
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierAdjectifArticle définiFood & DrinkPolitics, History & Economics
Why are the French so proud of their cuisine? Find out in this cute animated video.
- Pourra-t-on voir des feux d’artifice le 14 juillet 2020 ?
PrépositionLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativePronom relatifCelebrations & Important Dates
Will there be any fireworks to commemorate Bastille Day 2020? Find out what’s happening in this video.
- Prénoms français
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiAdjectifPlurielAdjectif possessifLanguage & Education
French parents are not completely free to choose their child’s first name — learn about some surprising restrictions in this bilingual audio article.
- Préparatifs de Noël
AdjectifPrépositionAdverbePlurielL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships
Get ready for Christmas with this short bilingual article.
- Présentation de l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPlurielVerbe irrégulierCelebrations & Important DatesLanguage & Education
Learn about the organisation behind the International Day of Francophonie in this inspiring video.
- Public holidays in France
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Subjonctif PrésentVerbes avec -OIRAdverbeCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about France’s 11 public holidays, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Qu’est-ce que l’Avent ? What is Advent?
Le Présent (Indicatif)InfinitifPrépositionPronom réfléchiLe Subjonctif PrésentCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about Advent and Advent calendars while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Quand je serai grand
Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)AdjectifArticleVerbe irrégulierPrépositionEmploymentFamily & Relationships
Watch this cute video of kids singing about what they’ll do when they grow up, then see the lyrics in our bilingual reader
- Quelques faits intéressants sur le français
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Article définiPolitics, History & EconomicsLanguage & Education
Take a break from learning French to learn some interesting facts about the French language, while practising your French reading and listening skills.
- Qui sont-ils ? Les Frères Bogdanoff
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierAdjectif indéfiniAdjectifFamous PeopleFilm & TVPolitics, History & EconomicsTechnology & Science
Learn about France’s most famous twins, while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Recette — Le Gratin Bœuf, Potiron et Parmesan
AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet directMode impératifFood & Drink
Learn how to make a delicious beef, pumpkin, and parmesan gratin in this video and bilingual article.
- Rentrée scolaire — limiter les dépenses
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiPronom relatifVerbe irrégulierFamily & Relationships
The start of a new school year typically involves shopping for new supplies. This video shares some tips to keep these expenses as low as possible.
- Rentrée scolaire : la dictature de la mode
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierPronom démonstratifPrépositionArt & DesignPolitics, History & Economics
Video about the evolution of school smock and the latest back-to-school fashions in France.
- Romance au marché
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbes avec être comme auxiliaireLe Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERLanguage & EducationFamily & Relationships
Here’s a cute story about love at first sight, packed with delicious French idioms.
- Rosh Hashana
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPrépositionPronom d’objet directPronom disjonctifCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn some traditions related to Rosh Hashana, a two-day celebration for the Jewish New Year.
- Sacré Charlemagne ! — France Gall
Verbe irrégulierLe Présent (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifForme négativePrépositionMusic
Feel like a child again with France Gall’s irreverent song about school, «Sacré Charlemagne», while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Septembre chez mes grands-parents
L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom disjonctifPronom réfléchiPronom d’objet directAdjectifSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships
Reminisce about visiting grandparents in the fall in this audio article.
- Soirée d’Hallowe’en
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierCelebrations & Important Dates
A small town in Alsace scares people from all over the region with an elaborate haunted house garage.
- Songkran — Thai New Year
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objetAdjectifGenre fémininGenre masculinMonuments, Tourism & VacationsCelebrations & Important Dates
Did you know that Thailand celebrates New Year’s in mid-April? Learn about the unique festival of Songkran in this bilingual article.
- Sous les Sunlights des Tropiques — Gilbert Montagné
Le Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativeVerbe irrégulierAdjectifVerbes réguliers avec -ERMusic
Enjoy the sunny vibes of Gilbert Montagné’s absolute classic of French summers since 1984, and sing along while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Tournent les violons — Jean-Jacques Goldman
AdjectifPrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)PlurielPronom d’objet indirectMusic
Enjoy this 1991 tale of hope and disillusion by French singer-songwriter star Jean-Jacques Goldman, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Tous les garçons et les filles — Françoise Hardy
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom relatifAdjectif possessifMusic
Enjoy the teenage melancholy of Françoise Hardy’s classic song «Tous les garçons et les filles», while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Tout pour la musique — France Gall
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom réfléchiArticleAdjectifMusic
Celebrate music with this 1981 swinging classic by France Gall, and sing along while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Un cœur en hiver — French Film Fest
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifAdjectif indéfiniPronom relatifArticle définiFilm & TV
Rowen’s Kwiziq French Film Fest review.
- Un Conte de Noël
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionAdjectif possessifPronom disjonctifLiterature, Poetry, Theatre
Here’s the first pages of Charles Dickens’s classic «A Christmas Carol», adapted and translated at B1-Level to practise your listening and reading comprehension.
- Une journée dans ma vie d’au pair
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionForme négativeLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Family & Relationships
Spend a day as a French au pair, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Y’a D’la Joie — Charles Trenet
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierForme négativeIrregularAdjectifMusic
Enjoy French icon Charles Trenet’s anthem to happiness and levity, and sing along while practising your French listening comprehension.
- 20 Mars : Journée de la Francophonie
Pronom relatifAdjectif possessifAdjectifGenre fémininPrépositionCelebrations & Important DatesLanguage & Education
Celebrate Francophonie by learning about a few less known French-speaking countries, while practising your reading and listening comprehension in French.
- 6 juin 1944 : voyage à travers le temps
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom réfléchiAdjectifPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
Witness the commemoration of the Allied landing in Normandy, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- 8 mai 1945 : la capitulation de l’Allemagne à Reims
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdverbeReflexive verbsPronom relatifPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about Germany surrendered to Allied forces on the 8th of May 1945, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Allô les urgences vétérinaires ?
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPrépositionFamily & Relationships
Cat stuck in a tree? Call the emergency vet service.
- Alpine French School
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierAdverbePronom réfléchiLanguage & EducationSports & Leisure
Learn about the Alpine French School where you can ski and learn French at the same time, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Assomption
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom relatifArticlePronom réfléchiPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
August 15 is the Catholic holiday of Assomption (Assumption Day) and is férié (a public holiday) in France.
- Au Clair de la Lune (Comptines de France)
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionForme négativeLe Passé Simple (Indicatif)Music
Sing yourselves to sleep with this classic French lullaby while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Au Restaurant de la Plage
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionPronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectFood & DrinkMonuments, Tourism & Vacations
Enjoy lunch at a beachside restaurant, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Au secours ! Je n’ai plus internet !
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Question/InterrogativePronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectTechnology & Science
Need help dealing with customer support when your internet goes out? Check out this audio article for some useful phrases.
- Basique — OrelSan
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdverbePronom indéfiniArticleFamous PeoplePolitics, History & EconomicsMusic
Practise your French rapping skills with OrelSan’s «Basique».
- Bastille Day
AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifPlurielVerbe irrégulierPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
Happy Bastille Day! Learn about the French national holiday in our bilingual audio article.
- Beaujolais nouveau : ne l’appelez plus piquette !
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierAdverbePronom d’objet indirectFood & Drink
It’s that time of year again, when wine lovers gather to taste the young wine known as Beaujolais Nouveau. But is it really as good — or bad? — as they say?
- Bretagne news — sketch by Les Inconnus
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifPrépositionArticle définiFilm & TVLanguage & Education
Get an (exaggerated) idea about French as it’s spoken in Bretagne in this humorous sketch by Les Inconnus (a famous French trio of humorists from the 90’s).
- Bruxelles je t’aime — Angèle
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierForme négativePronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectFamous PeopleMusicFamily & Relationships
Celebrate the Belgian capital with Angèle’s upbeat love song to Brussels, while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Bûche de Noël : recette
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPrépositionPronom d’objet indirectReflexive verbsFood & DrinkCelebrations & Important Dates
Find out how to make the most classic of French Christmas desserts: la bûche de Noël.
- Charles Aznavour s’éteint à 94 ans
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet directL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif indéfiniFamous PeopleMusic
Famed French-Armenian singer passed away in October 2018. Watch this video highlighting aspects of his talented career, then scroll down for the transcript in our bilingual reader.
- Charles Perrault (Portraits français)
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directVerbe irrégulierAdjectifPronom d’objet indirectFamous PeopleLiterature, Poetry, Theatre
Learn about timeless French raconteur Charles Perrault, while practising your French reading and listening skills.
- Claude Monet’s «Water Lilies»
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionAdverbeAdjectifArt & DesignFamous People
Learn about the story behind the unique way Claude Monet’s Water Lilies are displayed, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Colette (Portraits français)
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionFamous PeopleLiterature, Poetry, Theatre
Learn about passionate French writer Colette, while practising your French reading and listening skills.
- Comme Avant (ConfinementSong)
PrépositionL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom disjonctifAdjectifFamily & Relationships
Sing along to GiedRé’s bittersweet song about life before lockdown, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Comment demander la nationalité française (1ere partie)
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifPronom d’objet directQuestion/InterrogativeImmigration & Citizenship
Learn how to apply for French citizenship with the first half of this informative article, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Comment demander la nationalité française (2e partie)
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Immigration & Citizenship
Learn how to apply for French citizenship with the first half of this informative article, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Comment préparer son bagage en cabine
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifPrépositionPronom disjonctifMonuments, Tourism & VacationsSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships
Get some useful packing tips with Catherine Schwaab, while practising your French B2 listening and reading comprehension.
- Coupe du Monde 1998
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierPronom d’objet directCelebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure
Twenty years ago, France beat Brazil to become world champions of European football (aka soccer). In this video, trainer Aimé Jacquet shares his first thoughts.
- Dans les coulisses du Moulin Rouge
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifForme négativeArticleVerbe irrégulierMonuments, Tourism & VacationsMusic
The Moulin Rouge is a world-famous revue in Paris. Take a look behind the scenes and sequins with this video report.
- Décès de l’ancien président Jacques Chirac, l’animal politique
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPrépositionVerbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Famous PeoplePolitics, History & Economics
Former French president and mayor of Paris Jacques Chirac passed away on 26 September 2019. Learn about the legacy of this political animal in this video from France24.
- Découvrez les candidats français à l’Eurovision 2022 !
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiAdjectifAdverbePronom relatifMusic
Discover France’s 2022 Eurovision contestants and their song, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Demande d’emploi
Le Présent (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PlurielPronom d’objet indirectPrépositionEmploymentLanguage & Education
This audio article about a job letter was specially written to help you prepare for the listening and reading portions of the AP French exam.
- Départ en Vacances 1 — Sur la route des vacances
Verbe irrégulierLe Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifPronom d’objet directMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships
Dreading going on holiday [US: vacation] with small children? Fortunately, Céline is here with some fun tips to prepare for your car trip!
- Départ en Vacances 2 — Sur place
PrépositionVerbes réguliers avec -ERLe Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativePronom réfléchiMonuments, Tourism & VacationsSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships
Dreading going on holiday [US: vacation] with small children? Fortunately, Céline is here with some fun tips to pick your holiday [US:vacation] rental!
- Des initiatives pour parents et enfants pendant le confinement
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directVerbe irrégulierPronom d’objet indirectSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships
Discover some initiatives in Belgium to teach and entertain children during lockdown, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Des vacances mémorables
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiMode subjonctifForme négativeMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships
Laurence and Arnaud go on a dream vacation to celebrate 5 years together in this audio article.
- Devant un match de foot
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectForme négativePrépositionSports & Leisure
Join two friends to watch a football [US:soccer] game on TV, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Dialectes et langues régionales
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Forme négativeAdjectifPronom d’objet directL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Politics, History & EconomicsLanguage & Education
For centuries, France was divided into two main dialectal regions. Learn about the development of French in this bilingual article.
- Dix pour cent : la bonne recette
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbePronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectFilm & TV
Discover «Dix pour cent», a humorous French TV series about the trials and tribulations of movie star agents.
- Dix pour cent : la bonne recette (suite)
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionFilm & TV
Part 2 of the video about «Dix pour cent», a humorous French TV series about the trials and tribulations of movie star agents.
- Engrenages (Séries françaises) — Interview «flashback» de Thierry Godart et Caroline Proust
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Présent (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdverbeFilm & TV
Enjoy a lively interview with actors Thierry Godart and Caroline Proust from the successful TV show «Engrenages» (Spiral), while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Et tout le monde s’en fout : L’eau
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierForme négativeAdjectif possessifTechnology & Science
Funny video (with some vulgar language) about a serious subject: water.
- Fête de la Musique
Le Présent (Indicatif)Adjectif indéfiniComparatifPronom indéfiniPronom relatifPolitics, History & EconomicsImmigration & CitizenshipMusic
La Fête de la Musique is an annual celebration in France and around the world. Learn a bit of its history in our bilingual audio article, then listen to a few French variety classics.
- Fête de la musique : interview de Jack Lang
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)AdverbePrépositionL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important DatesMusic
Discover how 1981 Ministre de la Culture Jack Lang explain came up with «la Fête de la Musique», while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Fête des Lumières à Lyon
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierPrépositionPronom réfléchiMonuments, Tourism & VacationsCelebrations & Important Dates
Lyon’s Festival of Light is a must-see event where the walls of buildings become movie screens. Here’s a taste of what’s in store in 2017, including the newest security measures.
- Films français — La sélection de Céline
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifPronom d’objet directAdverbeFilm & TV
Here’s a selection of 3 great French movies to (re)discover and enjoy!
- Films français (2) — La sélection de Cécile
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPronom d’objet directGenre fémininPronom relatifFilm & TV
Here’s another selection of 3 great French movies to (re)discover and enjoy!
- Haiti’s story of independence
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom réfléchiPronom d’objet directPolitics, History & Economics
Haiti was the first French colony to gain independence, in large part thanks to one man.
- Hallowe’en in France
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Forme négativeArticleCelebrations & Important Dates
At a nursery school in Biarritz, kids get ready for Halloween with stuffed pumpkins and favorite costumes.
- Héritage de Johnny Hallyday
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom d’objet directFamous PeoplePolitics, History & Economics
Despite being French, Johnny Hallyday wrote his will in the United States, which allowed him to disinherit his children. Find out how they’re challenging the will and whether they have a case in this video.
- Histoire d’animaux
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifLe Plus-que-Parfait (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectif possessifLanguage & Education
Learn or practise some French expressions with animals in this cute bilingual story.
- Histoires d’argent
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objetPronom réfléchiAdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Language & Education
A bilingual text about different relationships to money, rich in French idioms.
- Immigrer au Canada
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)AdjectifPrépositionImmigration & Citizenship
If you dream of immigrating [UK: emigrating] to Canada, this official video has the vital information you need.
- Jean de La Fontaine (Portraits français)
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifArticleVerbe irrégulierFamous PeoplePolitics, History & EconomicsLiterature, Poetry, Theatre
Learn about French poet Jean de La Fontaine, while practising your French reading and listening skills.
- Johnny Hallyday : 1943-2017
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierAdverbePrépositionFamous PeopleMusic
Watch this hommage to Johnny Hallyday, a French rock and roll legend who died in December 2017.
- Joséphine Baker au Panthéon
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionAdjectif possessifLe Présent (Indicatif)Famous PeoplePolitics, History & EconomicsMusic
Learn about the decision to welcome Josephine Baker into the French Panthéon, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Kaamelott (Séries françaises) — Pourquoi si culte ?
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPronom relatifFilm & TV
Learn about «Kaamelott», a pastiche of the Arthurian legend and one of the most popular French series of the 2000s, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- L’Appel du 18 Juin 1940
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeFamous PeoplePolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
The Appeal of 18 June is considered the origin of the French Resistance during World War II. Learn how it came about in this French video with transcript and translation.
- L’automne au marché de Landerneau
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifArticlePronom indéfiniLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Food & DrinkMonuments, Tourism & Vacations
French markets are full of beautifully coloured food, and never more so than in autumn. Visit the Landernau market with this French video, including transcript and translation.
- L’Entretien de Naturalisation française de Shui
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom réfléchiVerbe irrégulierImmigration & Citizenship
Our very own Shui tells us about her naturalisation interview in France, while you practise your French reading and listening comprehension.
- La baguette française au Patrimoine Mondial de l’Unesco !
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom d’objet directPrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Food & Drink
Learn how the famous French «baguette» was recognised at last, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- La Bohème — Charles Aznavour
Le Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativeL’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierArt & DesignFamous PeopleMusicFamily & Relationships
Travel to the old Montmartre with this classic song by Charles Aznavour, «La Bohème», while practising your French listening comprehension.
- La Bretagne se révèle en Côtes d’Armor
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectPrépositionMonuments, Tourism & Vacations
The northwestern corner of France is a beautiful region called Bretagne, or Brittany. Discover a few of its secrets and myths in this fast-paced video.
- La Chandeleur
PrépositionL’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdverbePronom d’objet directPronom relatifPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
The 2nd of February is known as Chandeleur, la fête des chandelles, or le jour des crêpes — learn all about it in this video.
- La construction de la tour Eiffel
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionAdverbeMonuments, Tourism & VacationsPolitics, History & Economics
Learn more about how France’s most iconic monument came to be, while practising your French listening comprehension.
- La Déclaration d’Indépendance de la Belgique (4 octobre 1830)
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPlurielPrépositionPronom relatifPolitics, History & Economics
Learn about how Belgium proclaimed its independence, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- La Famille Bélier, le film franco-belge qui a inspiré CODA
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom relatifAdjectif possessifFilm & TV
Learn about the Franco-Belgian movie that inspired Academy Award winner «CODA», while practising your B2 French reading and listening comprehension.
- La main dans le sac
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbePrépositionReflexive verbsPronom relatifLanguage & Education
Learn or practise some idiomatic French expressions in this bilingual caper.
- La rentrée, quelle angoisse !
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierPronom réfléchiLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Family & Relationships
Get ready to go back to school with an anxious but excited lycéenne in our bilingual audio article.
- Le Camembert de Normandie (Spécialités de France)
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierPrépositionLe Subjonctif PrésentFood & Drink
Learn about Normandy’s famous cheese: le camembert.
- Le Club des Poètes
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifAdverbeVerbe irrégulierL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Literature, Poetry, Theatre
If you like Paris and poetry, you’ll love le Club des Poètes. Find out about this thrice-weekly opportunity to recite poetry in our bilingual audio article.
- Le coq gaulois (Les Symboles de la République française)
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifArticleForme négativePolitics, History & EconomicsImmigration & Citizenship
Learn about the origin of this symbol of the French Republic while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Le DELF-DALF en témoignages
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPronom relatifVerbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Language & Education
The DELF and DALF are official French proficiency tests. In this video, French teachers in various countries talk about what DELF and DALF mean to them.
- Le drapeau tricolore (Les Symboles de la République française)
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifLe Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifVerbe irrégulierPolitics, History & EconomicsImmigration & Citizenship
Learn about the origins of the French tricolor flag, symbol of the French Republic, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Le français classique
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom réfléchiAdjectifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Politics, History & EconomicsLanguage & Education
Learn about Classical French in this 5-part series of bilingual articles about the development of French over the centuries.
- Le Gouren (Les sports régionaux de France)
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifAdverbePronom réfléchiSports & Leisure
Discover Brittany’s own martial art called «Gouren», while you practise your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Le grand nettoyage de printemps
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionAdverbePronom réfléchiFamily & Relationships
Take part in the big spring cleaning with this audio article.
- Le Jardin de Claude Monet à Giverny
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet directL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Art & DesignMonuments, Tourism & Vacations
Learn about painter Claude Monet’s wonderful gardens in Giverny, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Le Louvre : 800 ans d’Histoire
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifVerbe irrégulierComparatifMonuments, Tourism & VacationsPolitics, History & Economics
Did you know that the Louvre, one of the most famous museums in the world, was originally a fortress? Learn about the history of this Parisian monument in this fascinating video.
- Le moyen français
AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifArticle définiGenre fémininPolitics, History & EconomicsLanguage & Education
Learn about Middle French in this 5-part series of bilingual articles about the development of French over the centuries.
- Le premier mai
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdverbePronom réfléchiPrépositionPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
In much of the world, the 1st of May is a public holiday called Labour Day. Learn the history in this French video with transcript and translation.
- Le ski — Têtes à Claques
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom réfléchiVerbe irrégulierAdjectifFilm & TVSports & Leisure
Difficult but funny Québécois claymation video about a downhill skier calling emergency services — for himself.
- Le suffrage universel masculin — 5 mars 1848
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierAdjectifForme négativePolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
France was the first country to institute universal men’s suffrage. Find out how that came about in this audio article and bilingual reader.
- Le XVIIIe siècle, le siècle des Lumières
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPlurielVerbe irrégulierArticlePolitics, History & Economics
Learn about some of France’s rich history in this video.
- Les animaux en vacances
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionForme négativeAdjectifPronom d’objetMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships
Pets are important to the French, so much so that they’re often included in family vacations. This can be something of a challenge, as you’ll learn in this video report.
- Les belles histoires — Bénabar
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectVerbe irrégulierPronom relatifMusicFamily & Relationships
Enjoy French singer Bénabar’s musical love letter to these romantic tropes we all grew up on, and sing along while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Les Bêtises de Cambrai et les Chardons Lorrains (Spécialités de France)
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierPrépositionArticleFood & Drink
Learn about some traditional candies from different regions of France.
- Les Français vus par les étrangers
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierPlurielLanguage & Education
Listen to some opinions about the French by people all over the world while working on your French listening comprehension.
- Les sites touristiques incontournables de la Guadeloupe
AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdverbePronom réfléchiMonuments, Tourism & Vacations
Discover the beautiful archipelago of Guadeloupe in this informative video, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Lettre au Père Noël
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships
Read Lise’s letter to Santa to practise your French Christmas vocabulary as well as listening and reading comprehension.
- Lettre de Nicolas Bedos à son père, le comédien Guy Bedos
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifArticleFamily & Relationships
French actor and stand-up comedian Guy Bedos passed away on May 28th 2020. To say good-bye, his son Nicolas Bedos, also an actor (and writer/director), wrote a very moving letter, read here on French radio by literary journalist Augusting Trapenard.
- Lynda Lemay — Les Maudits Français
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierAdjectifArticleMusic
To celebrate Quebec’s National Day, la Saint-Jean-Baptiste (June 24th) and la Fête de la Musique (June 21st), here is a song by Québécois singer-songwriter Lynda Lemay.
- Ma sœur — Clara Luciani
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectMusicFamily & Relationships
Enjoy French singer Clara Luciani’s ode to sisterly love, and sing along while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Mardi gras ~ Pancake Day
Le Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativePrépositionAdverbeReflexive verbsCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about the various names and celebrations for the day before Ash Wednesday.
- Mon année à l’étranger
PrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierForme négativeLe Présent (Indicatif)Language & Education
Quelle chance ! Spend a year in France with this audio article and bilingual reader.
- Mon répondeur
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdverbeLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directLanguage & EducationFamily & RelationshipsTechnology & Science
Listen to a French answering machine and its messages to practise your listening and reading comprehension.
- Noël à Kaysersberg
AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifPrépositionCelebrations & Important Dates
No trip to France during the Christmas season would be complete without a visit to one of the famous Christmas marchés, and the one in Kaysersberg is perhaps the most authentic.
- On va camper ce weekend !
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdverbeVerbes « semi-réguliers »Pronom réfléchiSports & Leisure
This audio article about camping was specially written to help you prepare for the listening and reading portions of the AP French exam.
- Papaoutai — Stromae
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierForme négativeLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Question/InterrogativeMusicFamily & Relationships
Discover the lyrics of Stromae’s international hit «Papaoutai», and sing along while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Pézenas : Destination estivale
AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom relatifPlurielVerbe irrégulierMonuments, Tourism & VacationsPolitics, History & Economics
Pézenas is a beautiful town in southern France loaded with history, culture, and artistic significance. Learn about this «green pearl» in our French audio article with transcript and translation.
- Poisson d’avril !
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierArticleAdjectifCelebrations & Important Dates
April’s fish… what? Learn about the silly celebration that takes place in France on the 1st of April.
- Pokémon Go — La chasse est ouverte
Adjectif possessifLe Présent (Indicatif)Genre fémininAdjectifPronom réfléchiFilm & TVSports & Leisure
Pokémon Go has taken the world by storm, and while we can’t offer any tips on finding Charmanders or Jigglypuffs, we can help you understand their French names in our bilingual article.
- Prévisions Météo
AdjectifAdverbeLe Présent (Indicatif)PlurielArticle définiFilm & TVTechnology & Science
Check out this French weather report for some useful vocabulary and expressions.
- Que la Force soit avec vous !
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativePronom relatifFilm & TV
We couldn’t miss the chance to share our best memories of Star Wars and create a themed French reading exercise for you at the same time!
- Quel est le sens spirituel du Carnaval et du Mardi Gras ?
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom relatifVerbe irrégulierAdjectifPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
Carnaval and Mardi Gras are huge, weeks-long celebrations in Nice, Venice, New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, and many other cities around the world. Find out about their religious origins in this video.
- Réalisatrices françaises
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Mode subjonctifFamous PeopleFilm & TV
In honour of International Women’s Day on 8th March, we’re celebrating and highlighting the top 5 female film directors in the world of Francophone cinema.
- Rentrée de professeur
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom relatifEmploymentLanguage & Education
The start of a new school year is a big deal for students as well as teachers, as heard in this audio article.
- Reste à la maison
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionAdjectifForme négativeMusicFamily & Relationships
Yann Lambiel’s parody of the song «Y a le printemps qui chante» by Claude François.
- RIP Minsky, the father of artificial intelligence
Pronom réfléchiLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PasséMode subjonctifAdjectifTechnology & Science
Learn about Marvin Minsky, the father of artificial intelligence — and our beloved Kwizbot’s spiritual grandfather, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Sans toi — Pomme
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom adverbialPronom d’objet indirectL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Famous PeopleMusicFamily & Relationships
Sing along with French singer Pomme’s pop folk song «Sans toi», while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Simone, la voix de la SNCF
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierPronom relatifAdjectif possessifTechnology & Science
Meet Simone, the iconic voice of French train stations, while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Taxi !
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships
Listen to this dialog between a taxi driver and a customer for some useful French expressions.
- Trois minutes pour comprendre Thanksgiving
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifArticle définiLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
Enjoy this video that offers a quick overview of Thanksgiving, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Trottinettes électriques-À quand la fin de l’anarchie à Paris?
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifAdverbePrépositionSports & LeisureTechnology & Science
Electric scooters can be found all over Paris — at least until the police come along and have them impounded.
- Une rentrée plutôt réussie !
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeVerbe irrégulierAdjectif
B2 French interactive reading article
- Une Saint-Valentin parfaite
PrépositionAdjectifLe Plus-que-Parfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directForme négativeCelebrations & Important Dates
Enjoy this tale of two opposite Valentine’s Days, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Visite de la Côte Fleurie (Normandie)
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifPronom d’objet directVerbe irrégulierMonuments, Tourism & Vacations
Visit some lovely towns along the coast of Normandy, including Honfleur, Trouville-sur-Mer, and Deauville.
- Visite de Marseille
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierMonuments, Tourism & Vacations
See the sights and taste the bouillabaisse while visiting the French city of Marseille with SNCF.
- Visite de Strasbourg en Alsace
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierMonuments, Tourism & Vacations
Visit the beautiful Alsatian town of Strasbourg and taste some local beer in this video.
- Visite du Périgord
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdverbeAdjectifPrépositionMonuments, Tourism & Vacations
View castles from a riverboat, visit prehistoric caves, and taste truffles in the beautiful French region of Périgord.
- Alsatian accent
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionFilm & TVLanguage & Education
Get an (exaggerated) idea about French as it’s spoken in Alsace in this humorous sketch by Les Inconnus (a famous French trio of humorists from the 90’s).
- Ces fautes qui deviennent des règles — La Chronique Langue de Laélia Veron
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierPronom réfléchiL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Language & Education
Learn about the fascinating evolution of the French language, when today’s mistakes become tomorrow’s rules.
- Chez Victor Hugo à Guernesey
PrépositionVerbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom relatifAdjectifFamous PeopleMonuments, Tourism & VacationsPolitics, History & Economics
Discover Victor Hugo’s amazing mansion Hauteville House on the island of Guernsey, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Dans les coulisses de «Plus Belle La Vie» (Séries Françaises)
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionAdjectifForme négativeFilm & TV
Sneak behind the scenes of France’s most popular soap opera «Plus Belle la Vie», while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Georges Brassens et la ville de Sète
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet directMonuments, Tourism & VacationsMusic
Discover the lovely Southern city of Sète through its most iconic singer Georges Brassens, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Henri Matisse au Centre Pompidou
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPrépositionVerbe irrégulierAdverbeArt & DesignFamous People
Enjoy a fascinating retrospective on French painter Henri Matisse at the Pompidou Center in Paris, while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Histoire des Jeux Olympiques Modernes
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierAdjectif possessifPolitics, History & EconomicsSports & Leisure
Discover how the modern Olympic Games came to be, while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Histoire et origine du français canadien
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiAdjectifPolitics, History & EconomicsLanguage & Education
The French spoken in Québec is different than what you might be used to — but why? Check out this animated video for an explanation of the Québécois accent …
- Hymne à l’Amour — Édith Piaf
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionLe Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important DatesMusicFamily & Relationships
Let yourself be moved to tears by Édith Piaf’s heartwrenching «Hymne à l’Amour», while practising your French C1 listening and reading comprehension.
- J’attends — Ben Mazué & Pomme
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifVerbe irrégulierAdverbeMusicFamily & Relationships
Discover all the sincerity of French singer Ben Mazué in his beautifully written duet with Pomme, «J’attends», while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Jeanne d’Arc (Portraits français)
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifAdjectif possessifArticle définiFamous PeoplePolitics, History & Economics
Learn about Joan of Arc — Jeanne d’Arc — while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Kwiziq dans le «Crystal Maze»
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom relatifPronom réfléchiSports & Leisure
In May 2018, the Kwiziq Team met in London for a week of work — and just a bit of fun, including a visit to The Crystal Maze Experience.
- L’Ascension
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionAdverbePronom réfléchiCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about the mobile jour férié and Christian holiday of Ascension, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- L’histoire de la Fête Nationale
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdverbePronom adverbialVerbe irrégulierPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about the history of France’s national holiday, le 14 juillet, in this informative video.
- L’histoire de la Saint-Sylvestre
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom réfléchiPronom d’objetPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
Discover why December 31st is also known as «la Saint-Sylvestre» in France, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- La Saint-Valentin
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom d’objet indirectL’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionCelebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with this funny video about interpreting gestures on a first date.
- La Toussaint
PrépositionAdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about the importance of la Toussaint, or All Saints’ Day in France, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Le Carnaval de Dunkerque comme si vous y étiez
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionL’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdverbeVerbe irrégulierCelebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure
Discover Dunkirk’s colourful Carnival, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Le confinement, quelle vie de chien !
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPrépositionForme négativeL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Sports & LeisureFamily & Relationships
Find out what confinement is like from a new perspective in our bilingual audio article.
- Les Accras de Morue des Antilles (Spécialités de France)
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdverbeVerbe irrégulierArticleFood & Drink
Learn about one of the most popular culinary specialities in the West Indies: Guadeloupe’s famous accras de morue (cod fritters).
- Les origines du Tournoi des Six Nations
Verbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionCelebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure
Learn about the origins of this European rugby competition, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Ma routine pendant le Ramadan
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifPronom réfléchiPrépositionCelebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships
Learn about Ramadan celebrations with Hajar, while practising your C1 French listening and reading skills.
- Mon Noël d’antan
L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom relatifCelebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships
Remember what Christmas was like when you were a child in this bilingual audio article.
- On ira — ZAZ
Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionArticleMusic
Enjoy this catchy song and colorful video while practicing your (fast!) French listening comprehension.
- Ouragan Irma
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom d’objet directFamily & RelationshipsTechnology & Science
Read Guadeloupe resident Laura’s account of crossing the path of Hurricane Irma in early September 2017.
- Pourquoi est-on ivre plus vite lorsqu’on n’a pas mangé ?
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom réfléchiAdverbePronom relatifFood & DrinkTechnology & Science
Learn the fascinating answer to this question in this fun short program, while practising your French listening comprehension.
- Premier Mai, poème de Victor Hugo
Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom relatifVerbe irrégulierAdjectifPrépositionLiterature, Poetry, Theatre
Listen to Victor Hugo’s lovely poem about spring «Premier Mai», while practising your French reading and listening comprehension.
- Quand Mai 68 changea la France
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionPronom relatifAdjectifPolitics, History & Economics
May 1968 was a turning point in French history. On this 50th anniversary, learn how students and workers revolutionalized France.
- S’occuper sans écran — La drôle d’humeur de Marina Rollman
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifForme négativePrépositionSports & LeisureFamily & RelationshipsTechnology & Science
Enjoy this funny radio sketch by Swiss comedian Marina Rollman about life without computer screens, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Savoyard accent
Verbe irrégulierPrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)ArticleFilm & TVLanguage & Education
Get an (exaggerated) idea about French as it’s spoken in Savoie in this humorous sketch by Les Inconnus (a famous French trio of humorists from the 90s).
- Strasbourg, le plus grand marché de Noël d’Europe !
Verbe irrégulierLe Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifArt & DesignEmploymentMonuments, Tourism & VacationsCelebrations & Important Dates
Discover the enchanting Strasbourg Christmas Market, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Thanksgiving contre les Indiens d’Amérique
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbePronom relatifPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates
Learn about some of the controversy surrounding the US celebration of Thanksgiving, while practising your B2 French listening and reading comprehension.
- Un escape game pour personnes âgées
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifSports & Leisure
Discover the cool initiative of this French retirement home, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension.
- Une Saint-Valentin entre filles
PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom relatifLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Family & Relationships
No Valentine? No problem!
- V pour Vendetta
Verbe irrégulierLe Présent (Indicatif)Question/InterrogativeAdverbePronom réfléchiFilm & TV
In honour of Guy Fawkes Night (November 5th), let’s take a look at V for Vendetta, a 2006 political thriller film set in a dystopian United Kingdom under the rule of a neo-fascist regime, where V, the mysterious anarchist freedom fighter tries to start a revolution through elaborate terrorist acts. Highly recommended!
- Valéry Giscard d’Estaing — Une rétrospective en images
Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierAdverbeLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Famous PeoplePolitics, History & Economics
Former French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing died of Covid-19 on 2 December, 2020, at the age of 94. Take a look back at his life and career in this video from Le Monde.
- Vendée Globe 2016 / 2017
Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifPronom réfléchiLe Présent (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure
Vendée Globe is a grueling, non-stop solo round the world race without assistance.
- Very Low Cost Airlines
Le Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativeVerbe irrégulierPrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & Vacations
Think the last flight you took was bad? It probably doesn’t compare to this one!
- Victor Hugo (Portraits français)
Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbe irrégulierPrépositionAdverbeFamous PeopleLiterature, Poetry, Theatre
Learn more about famous author Victor Hugo, while practising your listening and reading comprehension.
- Visite de Fort Royer sur l’île d’Oléron
Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdverbePronom d’objet directL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & Vacations
Discover the fascinating site of Fort Royer on Île d’Oléron while practising your French listening comprehension.
French texts for beginners (A1/A2) and intermediates (B1/B2) to practice your French reading and comprehension skills. Learning to read French well is a genuine accomplishment. For beginning learners, we offer an enjoyable way to improve your comprehension with the brief, text-based lessons below.
41 free texts Premium: 120 texts
Professional French teachers designed the texts and exercises with easy vocabulary and elementary grammar to help you grow in ability and confidence. Following your review of each text, answer the questions of comprehension in our online exercises, and we’ll evaluate it immediately. You get instant feedback about your French reading skills. It’s challenging, fun and free!
Hint: Download our texts and exercises as pdf and use it as free teaching materials for your students.
Level A1
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Ma famille
Text in French where Marie describes her family
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Ma ville
I describe how my quaint town is
Level A2
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Ma famille
Today I introduce to you my whole family
Level B1
Level B2
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Lyon
James walking the streets of Lyon
I’m a polyglot who is obsessed with French books–in fact, reading in French has always been my biggest motivator for improving the language!
Here’s what you can expect to find on this list:
- A guide for how students should pick their next book to read
- A list of French books for beginner and intermediate students
- Diverse voices from around the world (not just France)
- Important language notes from me (a polyglot who has read the books)
- Additional helpful information such as number of pages, country of origin, and links to the first page
I highly suggest reading the “start here” section so you can make sure you’re setting yourself up for success, then reading through a good amount of the book list to build yourself a French reading plan.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for items purchased at no extra cost to you.
French Books by Level
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START HERE
(How to pick out your next favorite French book)
When I followed most advice for reading in French (or how to read in any language) I had the same problems as most of the other French students I know:
- I would either look up every word… or look up none. (And either was frustrating.)
- I would get bored with books and quit them but wasn’t sure why.
- I was stuck reading the same classics as everyone else, but they weren’t what I would have read in my own native language.
And after solving all of my own problems, I put together this list to make sure no one else repeats my mistakes!
Here’s how you should use this blog post to make reading in French easier than ever.
How to pick the right French book for YOU
1. Find the right book for your French level.
You’ll see this list is sorted in the Common European Framework so you can jump into the right section for you. (If you’re an American student, just know that A1-A2 is your first 2 years of high school or your first year of university; B1-B2 is AP-level or junior year of university; and C1-C2 is university literature.)
2. Confirm that your school level is also your reading level.
Grade inflation is real, and just because you have a certain grammar level doesn’t mean your reading level is the same. The key is to check the front page. 2% or less of printed words on that page should be new to you. The rest should be familiar. (Read more here.)
Make sure you read the front page of any book on this list so you can confirm you can get the gist of it.
3. Choose books strategically.
Don’t just read the book that you think is the “best” or “most important” at any given level. Find French books that you truly feel you will like.
You’ll be more motivated to continue through any frustration or confusion that way. (And I promise: every book on this list is amazing and important.)
French Books for Beginners (A1-A2)
This section is for students who have never read in French before but have some knowledge of the language. If you’ve never played with more than an app before you might find these a bit discouraging. If these are too hard for you, check out a textbook like Assimil or Teach Yourself French from the library and get used to the small dialogues in there first. (Although they won’t be quite as fun as reading a real French book!)
Country: n/a
Genre: Short Stories / Travel non-fiction
Pages: 125
First Page
Summary: This trilogy of fun adventures follows its protagonist as she tries to learn French as an adult. Full of frustration and silly situations, French students will likely not only find it relatable but inspiring.
Follow along with her diary entries, misadventures, and even French exercises as you discover French with her!
Reading Tips: Honestly, these books are a fantastic starting place if you’ve never read in French before. They’ll start you with super, super basic sentences and bring you up to upper beginner. (That is, A1.1 – A2.2.)
If you read along with them as you’re beginning to learn French, you’ll have some fun language practice every week and reinforce the concepts you learn in class. (Which makes sense–they were written by a French teacher in Texas!)
Plus, they have the bilingual English translations in the back of the book if you get stuck, so you might want to buy the paper books so you can add notations.
Because it’s also broken up into super-tiny diary entries, this is an awesome book for teachers trying to guide students through reading in a classroom.
You can find links to the first, second, and third books here.
Country: France 🇫🇷
Genre: Classic fiction / graded reader
Pages: 96
First Page Currently Unavailable
Summary: The Three Musketeers is a classic piece of French fiction, and the publishers Hachette Francais Langue Etrangere have done a great job simplifying the story for beginner readers!
Reading Tips: If you’re excited about reading classic French books, you’ll love the Hachette Francais Langue Etrangere series, including Les Tois Mousquetaires.
They also have the added benefit of including audiobook CDs, although you need to buy them new and not used in order to make sure you get them.
Out of the three French books listed here for A1-A2 this is the hardest, so I would suggest starting with Merde (above) and the Olly short stories (below). However, I like this series significantly more than Olly’s mass-translated books because of the cultural and historic elements, so I listed it in the middle of the two.
Country: n/a
Genre: Short Stories
Pages: 252
First Page
Summary: This collection of simple stories was made with French students in mind. Written entirely in the present tense with easy-to-follow plots, the entire Short Stories by Olly series is a good first attempt for students trying to break out of workbooks and into reading.
Reading Tips: The Short Stories by Olly books are really well known and features a lot of different genres of short stories, so I added it to the list to give you some variety at the A-levels since decent books are hard to find.
However, they’re just translations from generic stories and aren’t culturally-relevant to Francophone countries or regions, so just approach it as an exercise in reading in French. (I personally found them helpful but not at all interesting, unlike other stories on this list.)
French Reading Books for Lower Intermediate Students (B1)
This section is for French students who have already done some reading in French, likely in French books written especially for students, but aren’t ready for a full novel yet. These French books should help bridge the gap between beginner-reader and advanced-reader, although it’ll likely take some real work to do so!
Country: France 🇫🇷 / Canada 🇨🇦
Genre: Short Stories
Pages: 96
First Page
Summary: Ready to try reading real French short stories written for natives? This edition of parallel text translates great, short literature into English to help newer language learners start navigating real literature!
Reading Tips: Once you’ve warmed up with short stories made for readers, check out this bilingual reader. One of the great benefits of bilingual books is that you can see how expert translators make sense of French words or phrases that “have no translation”, and grow your vocabulary in a seriously immersive way. (Plus, being able to follow plots in English will help you not have to look up every single word in French!)
Just make sure to get the paper version for easier notetaking and referencing.
Country: USA 🇺🇸
Genre: Historic Short Stories
Pages: 111
First Page
Summary: Four generations of French speakers move through a garden in New Orleans with the backdrop of history playing out in the backgrounds of their four lives.
Reading Tips: You should at least have a general understanding of (1) the colonization of the US (2) the Louisana Purchase and (3) Hurricane Katrina in order to fully understand this book.
This book was made for English speakers in mind, but specialized vocabulary like oak trees or marble railing make it a hair harder than the short story collections higher up on this list. However, it’s really worth the read: unlike the other short stories it’s the most tied to Francophone history and will be a great first read for readers looking to deepen their understanding of French history outside of France.
(TW: racism, state violence, natural disasters)
Update Dec 2021: This is my absolute favorite French book at this level, but as of right now it’s sold out on Amazon and out of print. It’s worth hunting for if you can get your hands on it somehow, but will be hard to find.
Country: France 🇫🇷
Genre: Fantasy / Illustrated
Pages: 214
First Page
Summary: A traveler moves through the Sahara when he encounters a small child who demands the traveler draw him a sheep. This fantastic and surreal exploration of identity and adulthood was intended for children but has become a literary classic in over 200 languages for readers of all ages.
Reading Tips: Le Petit Prince is one of the most-recommended beginner books by polyglots to new language learners. It’s an extremely pretty, imaginative read—and reading it in its original language is a treat. Just be prepared to look up a few keywords when you’re starting to make reading it much easier, although the illustrations will help with context a lot.
Country: France 🇫🇷 / Ireland 🇮🇪
Genre: Play / Existentialism
Pages:368 (bilingual edition)
First Page
Summary: In one of the most significant plays of the 20th century, two characters wait by a leafless tree in anticipation of Godot… who never arrives.
Reading Tips: If you love literature and philosophy, En Attendant Godot (“Waiting for Godot” in English) will be a simple way to help train yourself away from children’s books and graded readers and into adult novels.
To read adult books in French you’ll need not only a higher level of language but also higher stamina for reading in French–so plays are a great way to start. En Attendant Godot is an existential classic for people who (like me) are excited to read more international classics in their original language. (The version linked in the title is bilingual, written originally in French by Beckett and then translated into English by the playwright himself.)
However, if you’re not a real fan of literature or philosophy, this might not be the play for you.
Country: Martinique 🇲🇶
Genre: Play / Post-Colonialism
Pages: 91
First Page Currently Unavailable
Summary: A post-colonial reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Tempest puts the island’s original inhabitants at the heart of this story.
Reading Tips: If you’ve never read The Tempest, or need a refreshing, check out any of the many dramatized or staged versions of it. (And if you’re not a confident reader in English, the No Fear Shakespeare version will help you out.)
(TW: slavery)
Reading in French for Upper Intermediate Learners (B2)
This section is for French learners moving away into novels for the first time.
Reading novels is way harder than it seems, so if these are difficult don’t get discouraged! Hopefully these will help you advance into the next level of French literature if that’s your goal.
Country: Haiti 🇭🇹 / Canada 🇨🇦
Genre: Nonfiction Prose
Pages: 226
First Page
Summary: The author invites readers to explore the warmth and color of Petit-Goâve, Haiti, where he spent his childhood. Full of love and magic, he recounts stories from the feet of his grandmother and the ever-present smell of her coffee.
Reading Tips: Haitian-born Canadian writer Dany Laferrière is one of the most important contemporary writers in either country. A former journalist who now serves on the international Académie Française, he is not only one of the central-most authorities on the language but an integral part of how the language is shaped going into the future.
These short prose are written in bite-size chunks and would make for a great one-month reading challenge (for all of my fellow habit trackers out there) but also an amazing resource to work on with a teacher.
Country: Uashat / Canada 🇨🇦
Genre: First Nation Contemporary Fiction / Prose
Pages: 119
First Page
Summary: A French teacher working at the Innu land in northern Quebec tells a story of her students’ struggle and hope in this open and accessible novel.
Reading Tips: Manikanetish tells the story of an Indigenous woman returning to her home to begin her career as a teacher. The book is not only slim, but broken up into mini-chapters 1-6 pages each. Each of these sections tells it’s own story through prose and fragments of dialogue. The descriptive vocabulary is challenging, but because it’s broken up into so many individual parts a student trying to transition from short stories into larger novels will find it a great tool for intensive reading.
Consider reading 1-3 passages at a time, looking up all of the words, studying the words, and finally rereading them for a fuller picture.
This is an absolute must-read if you want to really feel how diverse the speakers of French are. Naomi Fontaine is a writer from the Innu Nation, the people whose land is currently occupied by Canadian Quebec. Her novels have won several awards, making her one of the most prominent French-speaking First Nation writers of today. (It’ll be an especially nice read for language learners and lovers.)
(TW: colonial schooling of Indigenous people)
Country: France 🇫🇷
Genre: Classic fiction
Pages: n/a
First Page
Summary: Maurice Leblanc is often credited for two things: first, being the French Agatha Christie (that is, THE most beloved mystery writer). Second, writing the iconic character Arsène Lupin, who was not only the original inspiration for the Pink Panther, but the historic nemesis of Sherlock Homes. Always the gentlemen, Lupin is the villain readers over 100 years later still cheer for–and who is often referenced in French media and conversation.
Reading Tips: There are a lot of stories in the linked-to anthology but don’t get overwhelmed. Start with the first story which introduced Lupin to the French public: Arsène Lupin, gentleman-cambrioleur.
After that, head over to Lupin contre Sherlock Homes for a super fun cross-over (yes, written by the real author.) Nearly all of them have various audiobook adaptations since they’re in the public domain, so feel free to see if you can find some free ones online if you want to try reading and listening at the same time.
Finally, make sure you check out the Netflix modern-day adaptation of the classic. It’s the single best French series I’ve watched on Netflix and highly recommend it to French learners!
Country: France 🇫🇷 / Algeria 🇩🇿
Genre: Existentialism
Pages: 185
First Page
Summary: After the death of his mother, Meursault moves through his daily life with little regard to anything around him–his work, his lover, or even his confinement in prison for the murder of another man.
Reading Tips: L’etranger is a French classic and is the most-recommended novel to French students by teachers, so I had to put it on this list. What’s nice is that it’s in the present tense and the plot is incredibly easy to follow.
But it’s not for everyone. I warn readers that they should be fans of philosophy and literature in order to get anything out of this one, but again: its slow plot, present tense, and simple vocabulary make it an easy first novel to attempt.
Country: Algeria 🇩🇿
Genre: Existentialism, Post-Colonialism
Pages: 160
First Page currently unavailable
Summary: “The Arab” in L’estranger is an unknown man central to the plot. But as Algerian writer Kamel Daoud explains in an LA Times book review: “the white man has the habit of naming Africa and Asia’s mountains and insects, all the while denying the names of the human beings they encounter.” [source] This is the story of Camus’s Arab: a man named Musa with his own story to tell.
Reading Tips: Make sure you’re familiar with not only L’etranger but its place in modern French culture and the relationship between France and Algeria to understand this book fully.
(And pay attention to which edition you’re purchasing. The link in the title is to a fully French version, but the English versions outsell and out-rank the French ones on Amazon. There are also some official books by the author which are nods and critiques but not the book itself.)
Country: France 🇫🇷
Genre: Classic Short Stories
Pages: 330
First Page
Summary: Do you dream of reading Voltaire in a Parisian cafe, or Balzac on the French Riviera? This collection of short stories written by the giants of French literature helps French students deepen not only their vocabulary but their understanding of the language’s history and structure.
Reading Tips: This bilingual reader isn’t for early beginners–it’s for French students who already have reading experience but are looking to ease themselves into real French literature. This book is a great stepping stone for many of the more classic French books in the next section.
French Books for Advanced Level Students (C1-C2)
This section is for French books with difficult language or whose main points are difficult to follow because of the style.
At this point, readers should be comfortable reading long texts in French to a certain degree–although they won’t be expected to be native-like for these books.
Country: Senegal 🇸🇳 / France 🇫🇷
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 254
First Page Currently Unavailable
Summary: Salie lives in France, and her brother dreams of joining her there one day. How can she navigate the weight of his dreams–of living in a northern promised land where Senegalese refugees find paradise as football payers–with the reality of what happens to African immigrants as they cross the sea? This contemporary novel explores not only the relationship between two continents but the daily lives and dreams of the people who move across them.
Reading Tips: Enjoy the style of this one. Diome mixed French literary tradition and the oral traditions of Africa on top of exploring the mixture of cultures on the two continents she calls home.
(TW: systematic violence and racism)
Country: Belgium 🇧🇪
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 221
First Page Currently Unavailable
Summary: The shocking, morbid tale follows Pretextat Tach, a brilliant Nobel Prize-winning author who’s also an obese, embittered, reclusive, racist, and sexist old man dying of a rare form of cancer. When the world learns Tach has only months left to live, journalists scramble for an interview. Five are selected, and the first four leave their interviews humiliated by the offensive author. But then the fifth journalist arrives. Unlike the others, Nina has not only read Tach’s work but also investigated his life, discovering appalling secrets the author had thought were buried forever.
Reading Tips: Hygiene de l’assassin was the first book by beloved Belge author Amélie Nothomb.
If you’re a bit tired of haughty French literature, this is a fun read.
There have also been several theatre adaptations, an opera, and a movie made of it, so if you want to do a little bonus emersion see you can track some down online.
Country: France 🇫🇷
Genre: Autobiographic / Contemporary LGBT+
Pages: 208
First Page
Summary: This autobiographical retelling of the author’s life became an instant bestseller in France and in over 20 other countries. At the intersection of the working class and LGBT+ struggles, it offers a compelling story that doesn’t shy away from today’s political taboos.
Reading Tips: This book is awesome for French learners who struggle to understand both sentences that are too slang-filled and sentences that are too formal. It’s written really vernacularly, but with plenty of elegant phrases, so make sure you take note of some great new expressions you’ll pick up. (This is a great one for students who want to read how people in today’s day really speak on the streets and in real life.)
(TW: alcoholism, abuse)
Country: France 🇫🇷
Genre: Edwardian Romance
Pages: 185
First Page
Summary: Full of lust, love, scandal, and opium dens, to summarize Chéri as a romance novel doesn’t do it justice. Based on some semi-autobiographical events in Colette’s own life, the pre-war opulence of the French bourgeois is glaring, harsh, and delightful.
Reading Tips: The French version of this book can be harder to find than the English version, especially since they have the same title, so make sure you check your edition language. However, because it’s relatively short, it’s a nice first novel once you’ve exhausted the B2 list. The language is a bit tricky, but it’s a great one.
(And if you want to keep reading, check out Fin de Chérie for a post-war sequel that I think history buffs will like more than the first.)
(TW: drug use)
Country: France 🇫🇷
Genre: Thriller / Naturalism
Pages: 101
First Page
Summary: Thérèse Raquin tells the story of a young woman, unhappily married to her first cousin by an overbearing aunt. When the opportunity arises, Thérèse enters into a turbulent and sordidly passionate affair with a friend of her sickly, egocentric husband.
In his preface, Zola explains that his goal in this novel was to “study temperaments and not characters”. Because of this detached and scientific approach, the book is considered an example of literary naturalism.
Reading Tips: This is one of those French books that is important in the country’s literary tradition, but isn’t as widely read in high schools outside of literacy programs. Because of that, there are a number of plays, TV series, and film adaptations that you might want to watch first. (This way you’ll have an understanding of the plots and “personalities”, as Zola put it, so you can concentrate more on the language and details when reading.)
Zola was a friend of Cézanne and contemporary of Balzac, so Francophiles who adore French history should dive into this one.
Country: France 🇫🇷
Genre: Philosophy / Non-Fiction
Pages: 221, 234, 334 (each book)
First Page
Summary: In this French philosophic classic, Michel Foucault explores the roots of our modern sexuality–one which he believes is still firmly rooted in Victorian modesty and encased in fear and politics. The series takes on topics of sexual deviancy (such as the LGBT+ communities), the national policies around sex and sexuality, and even broader topics such as what “normal” really means.
Reading Tips: There are 3 books in the original series: La volonté de savoir, L’usage des plaisirs, and Le souci de soi. (There is also a fourth book, but it’s generally not considered part of the original 3.)
The cover featured here is the first book, if you want to read the full L’historie de la sexualité be prepared to buy or rent all three.
(As for the language, the individual words aren’t that hard–but following the many concepts and sometimes meandering narrative can be tough, so be prepared to take notes or use a graphic organizer.)
L’histoire des Acadiens (Bona Arsenault)
Country: Canada 🇨🇦 / USA 🇺🇸
Genre: History / Non-Fiction
Pages: 268
First Page
Summary: Sure you’ve heard of the famously French-speaking Quebecois… but what about the other Francophone groups of North America? L’histoire des Acadiens is a detailed and moving recounting of the massacres, forced migrations, and life stories of the Acadian people–all the way from New Brunswick Canada to ‘Cajun New Orleans.
Reading Tips: You should be at least somewhat familiar with the history of Canada and the US to read this. (European readers might find themselves struggling to place certain dates within the context of things like the colonization of the Americas and American Revolution.) But if you’re like me and have a real love for the many variates of American French, this is a must-read.
Update December 2021: This book is awesome so I don’t want to take it off the list, but it’s unfortunately out of print and now sold out on Amazon. If you have the time to hunt it down somehow, I highly recommend it.
Country: USA 🇺🇸
Genre: Literary Anthology
Pages: 491
First Page
Summary: Who were the French people who settled in Louisiana? How did they live? What did they think? In this anthology, unlike any other compiled in French, readers can explore letters, poetry, songs, and prose about the Francophone American South–from 1682 to today.
Reading Tips: Like many anthologies, reading this cover-to-cover will be a challenge. I highly recommend this book for teachers looking for super unique material for upper-level students, as well as true language-lovers who really want to get to know a whole new side of French.
Just be warned that not only is much of this anthology a very old French, but it largely exists outside of standardized language–so for even advanced students, it will likely feel very foreign. (However, for polyglots or people who want to venture into older French works, you’ll find the language and spelling super super interesting and hopefully not too hard.)
(TW: colonialization of Indigenous people)
Country: Martinique 🇲🇶
Genre: Historic Fiction
Pages: 497
First Page
Summary: This epic tale follows its protagonist and setting, the neighborhood of Texaco, through a century and a half of racial struggle, creole fables, colonial bitterness, and pure joy.
Reading Tips: If you’re unfamiliar with the history of Martinique, take note of the mini-history lesson offered at the beginning of this book (or read up on Wikipedia). Since this novel takes place over 150 years, you may also want to take additional notes on specific locations, the relationships and lineage between characters, or historic notes throughout the book. (There’s nothing wrong with note-taking when reading! It doesn’t make you a bad reader–but a strategic one!)
(TW: slavery, brutality)
Country: Lebanon 🇱🇧
Genre: Historic Fiction
Pages: 368
First Page
Summary: In this ancient story, Francophone literary master Amin Maalouf imagines the life of Persian philosopher, scientist, and poet Omar Khayyám in the 11th Century. Readers will be transported back in time through rich descriptions and bold characters.
Reading Tips: Amin Maalouf is another one of the members of l’Académie Français on this list, making him an international authority on the French language. This story from le Moyen-Orient is yet another reminder that the French language does not belong exclusively to French European citizens.
Additional Tips on Reading in French Books
Now as I said before, this list isn’t some random assortment of Amazon affiliate links–these are books I have read. (And if I haven’t, they were recommended to me by friends who also study French.)
French is by far my favorite language to read in, but before you hit any “order now” button, I want to leave you with a few words of advice for how to read French books from a student perspective.
- Be mindful of tense. Books that are written in the present tense are perfect for beginners–but the overwhelming majority are written in some mix of tenses. On top of checking the first page for vocabulary, make sure you’re familiar with the tense that it’s written in.
- Familiarize yourself with the French literary tense. If no one has told you by now, French used to be spoken in the simple past tense–a tense which is no longer used, but still reigns supreme in literature. Make sure you familiarize yourself a little bit with it if you haven’t already (although speakers of other Latin languages won’t find it too tricky.)
- Consider starting at a level lower than you’re currently at. Grade inflation is real! I was at the cusp of French B2 in group classes, only to find myself repeating A2 themes once I hit private classes. My level ranking here is more strict tot he CEFR definitions than most classes are, so really make sure you’re comfortable with the first page (and not just optimistic like I once was).
- Build a habit. Want to really improve your French? Download my free habit trackers here, which can be used for any language in a variety of creative ways.
Do you know of any other French books which should be included on this list? Leave them in the comments for consideration!
Learning a language is within the plans of the vast majority of people, however it is a desire that very few get to materialize for economic reasons. Language schools tend to be very expensive, as well as somewhat enslaving.
For this reason, those who have the desire and the need to learn to speak French opt for other more accessible tools, one of them are the French books in PDF format.
The option that today has become the preferred alternative for many to learn the language. Additionally, we also created a collection of French exercises so that you can test and evaluate your level.
The advantages of learning French with a PDF book are many, but the one that appeals the most is the possibility to manage our own learning time. Having a PDF book on your computer or tablet allows you the ease of being able to enjoy it at any time of day.
You will be your own teacher and will be able to advance at the pace you set for yourself. Great, isn’t it? Besides, all our books are available for free, so the only investment you will have to make is your time.
French and English are among the most widely spoken languages in the world, which is why paid courses and resources are highly expensive. Many people spend a lot of money on guides, online teachers, face-to-face courses and do not achieve the desired results.
But today you have the opportunity to start learning for free and with highly qualified resources. The key is in the effort and dedication you put into each book. With effort and discipline, you will learn sooner rather than later.
Take a look at the more than 25 books on French in PDF format that our website has selected for you, make your choice, download it and start learning this beautiful language today.
French Grammar Books
The French language comes from spoken Latin and has a complex grammar that must first be mastered in order to be able to speak, write and understand it when listening to it.
The structure of phrases and sentences is one of the main things to learn, during the assimilation of this language originating from the North of France.
In order for you to have the necessary and required support, you can resort to French grammar books. These texts include detailed, precise and very practical explanations for your understanding.
1) French Grammar
Hermann Breymann
3) French Basic Course
Monique Cossard and Robert Salazar
4) French Language Studies – Grammar Reference Resource
Alison
5) Elementary French. The Essentials of French grammar with exercises
Fred Davis Aldrich and Irving Lysander Foster
6) Learn French with Paul Noble
Paul Noble
7) Advanced French Grammar
Monique L’Huillier
Basic Grammar Notions (Article)
French Your Way
9) 15 French Conversation Examples for Beginners (Article)
LinguaJunkie.com
French Pronunciation Books
One of the key factors in any language learning is pronunciation. In the case of French, this can be a real challenge for some people, but with the right practice it can be effectively overcome.
The phonetics of this language is a bit different, so practice is key when it comes to speaking the language correctly.
With the information provided in the French pronunciation books, you can learn all the relevant aspects and criteria, as well as practice exercises to help you progress.
10) Sons and Lettres. A Pronunciation Method for Intermediate-level French
Stephen Walton
11) The Pronunciation of Canadian French
Douglas C. Walker
12) Introduction to French Pronunciation
Yolaine Petitclerc-Evans
13) French Pronunciation Charts (Article)
Will Dudziak
14) Studying pronunciation variants in French by using alignment technique (Article)
Philippe Boula de Mareüil & Martine Adda-Decker
French Verbs Books
To speak, write and understand a language, it is necessary to know its main verbs at the beginning. And as you progress in your learning, you need to expand on the verbs you have learned.
When it comes to these words that define an action, it is also very important to learn how to conjugate them. You must know how they are spelled and pronounced when the tense of the action changes.
Likewise, you must know perfectly how to conjugate them according to the subject that performs the action. For all this, you can refer to French verbs books.
15) French Adjectives
OpenUCT. University of Cape Town
16) French Verbs
Kent Porter
17) French Verb Summary
Various authors
18) French Verb Conjugation Chart (Article)
Various authors
19) French Adjectives (Article)
Evan Faidley
20) 681 Most Common French/English Verbs (Article)
Will Dudziak
French Vocabulary Books
An excellent alternative that you can put into practice during your language learning period is to learn new words every day. Expanding your vocabulary is a very useful and effective technique.
Having a large French vocabulary, and constantly expanding it, will allow you to learn French more fluently. Remember that words, as well as their meaning and pronunciation, are an essential part of your studies of this European language.
To achieve your goal, you have the opportunity to rely on French vocabulary books, where you will find all the necessary information about the words that make up this language.
21) English-French Dictionary
Germain Garand
22) Glossary of Microfinance Terms
CGAP
23) The 100 Most Common French Words
French Together
24) French Vocabulary List
OCR
25) Glossary of Cognates
NYU
26) English to French Words
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Here ends our selection of free books to Learn French in PDF format. We hope you liked it and already have your next book!
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