Top 10 Best TV Shows to Learn French

This is the French version of the popular game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire!' A well-known quiz show where contestants answer general knowledge questions for a chance to win a million dollars. Of course, like other international versions, it includes the same three lifelines: 50/50, phone a friend, and ask the audience.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is an excellent show because it not only enriches your knowledge of French culture, history, and traditions, but also gives you valuable insights that could help you prepare for similar TV game shows.

"Spiral" is a captivating French crime drama that provides a closer look into French society and the workings of the legal system. Following the lives of a young prosecutor, a police captain, a judge, and a lawyer, the show takes us deep into the complex world of Parisian courts, revealing the intricacies of its operation, the people involved, and the hidden tricks within.

While some argue that the show may not perfectly reflect reality, it still captivates with its fantastic cast. As one of the few French TV series to air in nearly 70 countries, Spiral is a prime example of its international success.

Coffee has long been a beloved morning ritual, helping us stay alert throughout a long workday. In almost every office, you'll find an automatic coffee machine, and it's often the starting point of every episode of Caméra Café. Each episode kicks off with casual conversations about work and personal lives, featuring a driver for the company CEO, the director, and a psychologist at the headquarters of a certain company. Their amusing interactions will keep you laughing all day long.

The unique charm of this series lies in its female protagonist—the coffee machine itself, placed in the break room. This machine becomes the sole perspective for the viewer in every episode. As the staff pass in front of it, each character is humorously caricatured, sometimes even mockingly so. Watching this show will definitely help you improve your French.

For history enthusiasts, Kaamelott is a fascinating and humorous historical fantasy series. Inspired by the legend of King Arthur, it follows the king's journey to fulfill a divine mission assigned by the gods. With the help of his mostly inept knights, Arthur faces the fall of the Roman Empire, barbarian invasions, and the search for the legendary Holy Grail. After watching this show, you'll definitely want to visit France to admire its beautiful and ancient Roman castles.

Kaamelott is a French comedy series created in 2005 by Alexandre Astier. It reimagines the Arthurian legend, following King Arthur and his Round Table knights on their adventures. The series has a total of six seasons, with the early seasons focusing on comedy, before shifting towards dramedy in the fifth season, and a more dramatic tone in the final season. As the series evolved, the episodes grew longer, transitioning from a sitcom format to 45-minute episodes in the sixth season and beyond.

The lives of four police officers are turned upside down when their colleague, Max, takes his own life after becoming embroiled in a controversial case. The four of them decide to 'cross the line' and create their own set of rules with a single goal: to clear Max's name.

However, their actions soon become driven by vengeance, and they find themselves entangled in deeper troubles. Braquo captivates viewers with its thrilling twists and turns, keeping them on the edge of their seats. Additionally, the intense action sequences will leave you hooked, even if you can't quite keep up with the lightning-fast dialogue of the characters.

"Les Guignols de l’info" is a satirical news show hosted by puppet characters. The program gained fame for parodying well-known political figures and making sharp, humorous commentary on current events, profoundly influencing popular culture in France. Acting as a bold, rebellious voice, it critiques famous personalities and conservative ideas with a style that resonates more powerfully with viewers than traditional media.

While the show primarily targets French politics, it occasionally covers significant international events. This makes it a useful tool for staying up-to-date with global news and exploring diverse viewpoints on pressing issues.

If you're a fan of romance novels and enjoy heartwarming tales like that of a city girl falling for a country boy, then Coup de foudre au prochain village is your perfect pick! This show follows 20 women on a bus journey across rural France, where they get the chance to find true love in charming villages far away from the bustling city life.

At each village, the bus stops for a week, where three local men meet the women, and they compete for the attention of the man they like. For those unlucky in love, they can either stay in the village or continue their journey to try their luck in another village.

Get your daily news while learning French—it's the perfect combination! This TV program brings you the most relevant news stories of the week from French-speaking countries. Every Friday, two hot topics from around the world are selected for a lively discussion. In addition, you can engage in fun interactive exercises online, tailored to your current level of French proficiency.

Every Friday, the French listening channel 7 jours sur la planète presents two short videos (7-10 minutes each) on a variety of current affairs topics. These videos provide a comprehensive update on the week's most important news, and come with subtitles to make it easier for learners to follow along. Plus, you can test your listening comprehension skills with questions and answers provided after each video.

Marseille, a beautiful city in southern France with at least 300 days of sunshine every year, is the perfect destination for those wanting to experience Mediterranean life. Set in this coastal city, "Plus belle la vie" tells the everyday stories of the residents of the Mistral neighborhood.

The show focuses on the private lives of the Mistral residents, their romantic relationships, friendships, and even a touch of detective work with a hint of fantasy. While the humor may be a bit confusing in the early episodes, the stunning beaches, white sands, and the dazzling sunlight are undeniably captivating!

You've probably heard the name Tintin at least once in your life, right? He's a hugely popular comic book character from Belgium, not France as many people mistakenly believe. Since being adapted from the famous comic book series in 1991, episodes of the Tintin series have been regularly broadcast on children's TV channels. Tune in to "The Adventures of Tintin" and relive your childhood memories!

This animated series, based on the work of Belgian author Hergé, originally titled *Les Aventures de Tintin*, first aired in 1991. With a total of 39.5 hours of film, parts of the series were broadcast on Vietnam's VTV3 in 2007.