10 (+1) amazing French podcasts to improve your French

10 amazing podcasts to improve your French (and have a great time doing it!)

You spend hours in your textbooks, read articles in French, realize your vocabulary and grammar is expanding, but still have the feeling that you "don't understand a single word" while speaking to a French person ? It's probably that you ear is not ready yet for authentic French !

Good news: I have a simple, fun, and very effective solution to train your ear… podcasts!
No need to understand everything, no need to take notes — just listen, let the language wash over you, and let yourself be surprised by how much your ears start to pick up.

Podcasts are a bit like having France (and the whole Francophone world) whispering in your ears. And honestly, that’s kind of magical

Good news number 2 : there's a good podcast out there fro everybody, from beginner to advanced students, so no excuse for not trying one !

For beginners (A1): starting gently

🎙️ 1. Duolingo Podcast – French for English speakers
This podcast focuses on the French-speaking world at large: you’ll discover fascinating people (Jacques Brel, Joséphine Baker…) and cultural gems (like the story behind the French railway voice, the SNCF).
Best part: short summaries in English (but not translations!) help you follow the story without feeling lost.
👉 Perfect for diving into the world of French podcasts the easy way.

🎙️ 2. Français Facile – Débutant
Mini lessons on grammar, vocabulary, and everyday conversations. It’s simple, clear, and ideal for fresh new ears.
👉 Great for learning how to say “Je voudrais un croissant” without panicking.

Intermediate level (A2–B1): time to take off the training wheels

🎙️ 3. Le français avec Fluidité
A podcast hosted by a patient Frenchman (yes, they do exist!). He speaks slowly, explains clearly, and tells stories about French culture.
👉 Bonus: his voice is sooo soothing — even at 7 a.m., or 10pm, it's always time for a relaxing French listening !

🎙️ 4. InnerFrench
A true classic! Hugo talks about everything — life, society, Netflix, baguettes (yes, sometimes).
👉 The go-to podcast for understanding France without having to look up every word.

🎙️ 5. Pardon My French (Garance Doré)
A lifestyle podcast mixing culture, elegance, and honest conversations with inspiring guests. Expect natural, stylish French — sometimes even poetic.
👉A good way of moving towards more authentic contents

🎙️ 6. News in Slow French
The news… but slower. You’ll understand everything, learn tons of vocab, and sound brilliant at the coffee machine: “Did you know that in France…?”
👉 Perfect for catching up on the world without stress.

Advanced level (B2–C1–C2): deep dive time

🎙️ 7. Les Pieds sur Terre
Thirty minutes, one real story. Raw, authentic, sometimes funny, sometimes emotional, often revolting... I’ve listened to it almost every day for 10 years — still not tired of it!
👉 An unfiltered look into life in modern France.

🎙️ 8. Transfert
True personal stories, full of humor, emotion, and mystery. It’s real French, spoken by real people — accents, slang, and all.
👉 Ideal for when you’re ready to face natural French head-on.

🎙️ 9. Le Gratin
Pauline Laigneau interviews fascinating guests — artists, entrepreneurs, scientists — and explores their journeys with kindness and curiosity.
👉 Smart, contemporary, and inspiring.

🎙️ 10. Métamorphose
Usually in the form of conversations with health and wellness experts, this podcast will give you plenty of thoughtful topics for your next French dinner conversation.
👉 A great excuse to learn vocabulary around wellness and self-growth.

BONUS 🎙️ 11. Une Française nommée Estelle

…Yes, that’s me! 😄
In my upcoming podcast, I’ll take you through the everyday life of a French woman abroad — with cultural anecdotes, idiomatic expressions, and little speaking challenges to help you sound more natural.
It’s still in the works… but if you cheer me on a little, it should be ready by next spring!

💡 My teacher’s tips

Don’t try to understand everything! Just let a podcast play in the background while you cook, drive, or walk your dog (or your cat — if you’re brave).
Your ear will adjust, your brain will sort things out, and one day, you’ll suddenly find yourself laughing at a joke… in French.

How to proceed :

• Listen to one episode a day — even partially — and your ear will quickly adapt.

• Slow down the playback speed! That magical 0.75x button on your podcast app will help you understand 30% more.

• Write down one new word or expression per episode, no more. You’re here for pleasure first.

• Choose topics you love. When you’re having fun, your brain learns faster!

🎧 So — ready to make French your new travel buddy?
Pick your podcast, pop in your earbuds… and let the language tell you stories.

written by Estelle Materne