Learn French with engaging podcasts suitable for all levels

updated 7th February 2025

Many learners of the French language have the same goals: to speak like a native and to comprehend everyday conversations in various settings, such as cafés or offices. Achieving fluency requires more than just classroom lessons; it also involves immersing yourself in the language through various resources.

Incorporating audio tools, like engaging podcasts for all levels when you learn French can significantly enhance your skills. Indeed, to support private online French courses, listening to native French speakers helps refine your understanding and pronunciation. You can easily fit these podcasts into your daily life, whether you are commuting, exercising, or taking care of household chores. This approach not only makes your learning journey enjoyable but also effective.

Sure, you won’t have the real structure and a tailored program that we have in one-on-one classes. No one can replace a private teacher accompanying in your progress and providing guidance while you speak or read. With podcasts, you’ll have to find your way through hundreds, sometimes thousands of free materials to help you speak like a French native.

You can enjoy French podcasts during various daily tasks like cooking, exercising, or driving. Many people spend a significant amount of time commuting each day. By listening to these podcasts, you can turn that time into a valuable learning opportunity.

You can benefit from podcasts anytime and anywhere, like apps to practice French. You can also download them for offline listening.

Podcasts are not just a source of entertainment; they enable you to stay updated with the trends and the most recent news. You can explore the latest movement in the culinary world, travel, and more. Discover new recipes or popular destinations while enhancing your understanding of French culture and language. This way, you stay engaged and learn something new at the same time.

Finally, listening to French podcasts offers a fun way to improve your language skills. Instead of repeating the same music tracks, tune into news, comedy, or celebrity interviews. This variety exposes you to different accents, vocabulary, and common expressions, making your language practice feel fresh and relevant. Engaging with diverse topics boosts your listening comprehension and helps you better understand spoken French in real-life contexts.

With the free version of Coffee Break French you can access great basics for beginner French learners (ask how people are feeling, know what to respond,…)

There’s also a premium version of Coffee Break French and an Academy, who provide additional materials. These are perfect to help you move forward more effectively with your French studies. These podcasts are very well structured, available in 4 levels and represented by a season (each season features 40 lessons).

Improve your understanding of spoken French and learn useful vocabulary with the podcast Inner French Podcast. Over 80 podcasts are currently available, 100% in French and with free transcripts.

You can actually choose your level, from beginner (A0-1) to the advanced French language speaker (C1-C2) in French Pod 101. Each lesson offers a mix of dialogues, cultural insights and information about travelling through or living in France. You will get a lots of scenes of everyday French life that are voiced by native French speakers.

If you are looking for short podcasts (3 to 4 minutes), Daily French Pod are perfect ! These podcasts are to the point. There’s a wide range of topics that you’ll learn a lot of new vocabulary, however I don’t find it very well structured.

If you enjoy learning French while having a good laugh, the Easy French podcast is just for you! You can dive into cultural, everyday topics and even slang with a fun twist. For those eager to take their learning further, you can find full transcripts and a handy vocabulary guide that translates tricky words in real-time.

In News in Slow French, two hosts dive into the most significant stories of the week, both in France and globally. You’ll also find podcasts focused on grammar, pronunciation, and idioms, covering topics like articles, pronouns, and verb tenses. What I appreciate about this podcast is how the news is categorized by difficulty level (intermediate or advanced). It’s an excellent opportunity to expand your vocabulary on contemporary issues such as politics, art, culture, and science.

The weekly podcast Salut l’info is aimed at French kids between the ages of 7 and 11, but I also find it enjoyable and entertaining for my adult students. Each Friday, listeners can expect a mix of serious and surprising news. The topics covered are diverse, including climate change, Charles de Gaulle, and the US elections.

Another lovely podcast for kids that I recommend for my Intermediate French students is Les Odyssees. It invites children from 7 to 12 years old to immerse themselves in the adventures of the great figures of history. Through the 40 episodes, you will be able to experience the discovery of the United States, the French revolution, the fall of the last Chinese emperor, or the kings in Egypt.

If you want to explore France through sound, check out La France Baladeuse. Each month, this podcast takes you to different regions such as Alsace and Normandie. What I love about these podcast series is that you get to hear the voices of those who live there. In an immersive and original format, embark on new adventures in France from your couch !

If you’re an advanced learner interested in psychology and self-awareness, Émotions by Louie Media is just for you! This podcast takes a deep dive into the origins of emotions like anger, love, and self-esteem. It covers topics such as impostor syndrome and hypersensitivity, helping you gain a better understanding of yourself while also boosting your French vocabulary in the realm of emotional intelligence.

Another excellent choice is “Sur les routes de l’Asie”. Hosted by Romain Lazzarotto, this podcast shares unique stories from Asia, featuring interviews with interesting locals. In each episode with his guests, they go off the beaten track to meet unusual people. With over 60 episodes available, you can enjoy more than 40 hours of content.

For news lovers, RFI  provides daily international reports from correspondents worldwide. The transcripts are helpful for learning vocabulary.

Every day, Lorànt Deutsch invites you to follow in the footsteps of the greatest figures in history in “Entrez dans l’Histoire”.  You can relive the significant events and epic tales that have shaped our world while improving your French vocabulary.

Here is my selection of the best podcasts. Feel free to explore these podcasts and tailor your French learning experience to fit your needs! You can also send me your suggestions or questions using the form on the contact page.