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There is nothing better for someone looking to learn France than immersing themselves in the language itself.

This is a less daunting task than it first seems, as the use of technology can help us listen to French at every spare minute we have, either with the TV and streaming, the radio, and language learning apps.

Another popular way is with podcasts, however with so many to choose from it can feel overwhelming to start off.

The recommendations here are probably best suited to fairly advanced learners, but even at beginner level it is never a bad idea to tune your ear into French conversations. 

The secret to listening in another language is not to panic. 

Podcasts are good for this as you can focus entirely on listening, rather than worrying about how to respond as if it were a conversation in real life. 

You can also pause the podcast and rewind it to make sure you understood before moving on – not always possible with a live show.

It will also improve your accent and your understanding of how the language is structured.

Many podcasts also have transcripts available, so if you are a beginner, you can read and listen at the same time. 

Below are five recommendations.

French expat

This podcast will likely resonate with, unsurprisingly, people who have moved from their home country to live abroad.

These podcasts are created by or for French citizens living outside of France and focus on the real-life experiences, challenges, and perspectives of French expatriates around the world. 

They offer a mix of personal stories, practical advice, and cultural reflections, such as the difficulties of raising children abroad or navigating grief away from your birth country. 

This podcast might be comforting to anyone who has moved to another country, revealing that the difficulties you face in your chosen country are often the same for all expats alike. 

The podcast is one of the most popular among French learners, and we have previously recommended it. 

Ca Fait un Bail! 

We all know that immobilier is a huge part of moving to France – and an eternal dinner table conversation starter – so why not listen to a podcast dedicated to it?

Ca fait un Bail! covers lots of different topics related to property in France, from converting a ‘cave’ to a small studio apartment to the best way to make a chateau profitable, and there are over 300 episodes featuring various professionals. 

The podcast is designed to help launch your property project in France, and talk you through the highs and lows of the journey, as well as the problems you may face and tips and advice to overcome them. 

It is great for picking up sector-specific vocabulary.

La France Baladeuse

La France Baladeuse dedicates its time to meeting locals throughout France and Europe to learn what it’s like to live in rural places across the continent. 

The host travels France by train to talk with artists, farmers and fellow wanderers, with each offering their own unique insight into life in the region where they live. 

Episodes are usually around 15 minutes, so are well-suited to those strapped for time.

La Story

With a new episode every day, you are never going to be short of content with La Story.

Episodes last 20 to 25 minutes and see the hosts tackle a subject, discuss it, and then talk to journalists and experts about how the theme impacts society as a whole. 

It is a great way to keep up to date with current affairs, but also learn about other subjects you might not know much about, with episodes ranging from European defence networks to e-sports and the French Open. 

Affaires Sensibles

If you are into crime podcasts, Affaires Sensibles might be a good option for you.

It retraces the steps in some of the biggest criminal trials from around the world over the past century. 

The first part of the podcast summarises the true crime story, and then with an expert they analyse the case itself in the second half. 

It is very popular in France, so much so that it has been picked up as a TV series.