The 15 Best French TV Shows On Netflix

I often say there’s never been a better time to learn French than now thanks to the vast quantities of study materials available online.

There’s an almost limitless amount of resources such as podcasts, YouTube videos and apps to turn to, and advanced learners with a Netflix subscription may also like to have a go at watching TV in French.

Of course, if you want to improve your French, you can simply turn on any show and just start watching. But you’re more likely to persist if you enjoy the series you choose. So here’s a selection of the best French TV shows on Netflix to help you find something you like.

Just a little disclaimer before we get into it: Netflix updates its catalogue regularly, removing titles and adding new ones. Its catalogue also varies by country so the availability of the titles below may vary depending on where you're based.

Dramas

1. La Forêt (2017) – Drama

English title: The Forest

La Fôret is a gripping drama that starts when 16-year-old Jennifer goes missing in the woods near her small village.

Although her friends don’t initially seem worried, her disappearance is accompanied by several mysterious and disconcerting circumstances.

Then, once the police become involved in the search, several other puzzling pieces of information come to light concerning the area where Jennifer vanished. And things become even more sinister as the dark secrets of the forest are slowly uncovered.

The series debuted on Belgian television before it was brought to an international audience on Netflix, where it has proved popular ever since.

It consists of just one season made up of six episodes that last around 50 minutes each. This makes it an ideal place to start for those who want to sample a French-language series that’s not too long to digest and that has a few shocks and surprises in store along the way.

2. Lupin (2021–present) – Drama

English title: Lupin

When Lupin first appeared on Netflix in 2021, it immediately met with huge success, quickly establishing itself as the most-watched non-English series on the service at the time.

It follows the story of Assane Diop, the son of a Senegalese immigrant who was framed for a robbery and subsequently died in prison.

Later in life, the son sets about tracking down the man responsible for sending his father to jail in a quest for justice and revenge.

In this, he is inspired by the escapades of Arsène Lupin, a fictional character created in the early 1900s who appeared in a book his father had given him before his incarceration and death.

In the book, Lupin is a wily “gentleman thief”, and in the first season of this series, Assane employs the same types of tricks as Lupin as he tracks down his quarry.

After the first part of the series comes to an end, a second part goes on to develop the relationship between Assane and his own son. A third part then deals with his relationship with his son and wife as well as a caper involving the theft of a priceless piece of jewellery.

This is an amusing yet touching series that should be high on anybody’s list of French shows to watch, even if only because it has been such a hit.

3. Les Combattantes (2022) – Drama

English title: Women at War

A miniseries that first appeared on regular TV in Switzerland, Belgium and France before moving to Netflix in 2022, Les Combattantes is another show that has proved incredibly popular, both in French-speaking countries and around the world.

It tells the story of four French women from near the German border who find themselves caught up in the events surrounding the start of the First World War.

The four main protagonists lead very different pre-war lives, but things soon change with the outbreak of hostilities, and they each find themselves fulfilling new roles once the men have all been sent off to the front lines to fight.

The series, which comprises just six episodes, has been praised for its sympathetic and sometimes empowering treatment of the four main characters as well as its realistic depiction of war and will appeal to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking historical drama.

4. Les 7 vies de Léa (2022) – Drama

English title: The 7 Lives of Lea

If you enjoy storylines where the premise revolves around time travel – along the lines of the 2012 film Looper – Les 7 vies de Léa is a French series you’ll want to check out. 

In the first episode, after discovering human remains in the woods, the eponymous character Léa then wakes up to find herself 30 years in the past in the body of somebody else.

The next day, she wakes up in her own body again to realise that she has just spent a day living in the body of Ismaël, the person whose remains she had just uncovered in the forest.

This continues to occur over the course of the next week until she has visited the lives of six more people, all of whom are connected to Ismaël’s death.

As this happens, she sets about piecing together the clues of his apparent murder and ultimately tries to prevent his death.

This series consists of a single series of seven episodes and was a Netflix adaptation of a novel.

It’s the kind of story that will draw you in and keep you watching as the suspense builds and you find yourself desperate to know what happens next.

Due to the slightly complicated nature of the plot, you’ll need to be able to follow the dialogues if you want to understand everything that’s going on. But if you're looking for a challenging series to tackle in French, Les 7 vies de Léa is a recommended watch.

5. Disparu à jamais (2021) – Drama

English title: Gone for good

Disparu à jamais is a drama based on the 2002 novel by Harlen Coben, Gone for Good, which gives the series its name in English.

In the opening episode, we meet Guillaume, a case worker who helps disadvantaged and troubled children, and his girlfriend Judith, who is also his colleague.

A day after proposing to Judith, Guillaume discovers that Judith has collected all her belongings from their apartment and disappeared without a trace. And as he tries to find out where she went, the circumstances of her disappearance become ever more mysterious.

Then, as the series develops, we learn more about the death of Guillaume’s brother and ex-girlfriend in a shooting ten years before – and how the earlier tragedy ties in with what is happening now.

This tale of suspense and surprises is set against the stunning backdrop of Nice and the French Riviera. The series is also well-written, the story is absorbing and the acting is accomplished, all of which makes this another show that’s worth a stream. 

6. Marseille (2016) – Drama 

English title: Marseille

Notable for being the first French series made specifically for Netflix way back in 2016 as well as for starring Gérard Depardieu, one of France’s most famous and influential – as well as controversial – actors.

A story of political intrigue and manoeuvring, this two-season series follows the fortunes of Depardieu’s character Robert Taro, the former mayor of Marseille, and his former ally, Lucas Barre, who now plans to replace him.

When Barre votes against his former mentor, it sets off a conflict between the two, and we watch as the struggle for power between the two heads towards its inevitable conclusion.

Within France, the portrayal of political life and the characters involved was not well received since it was seen as being overly caricatural.

However, it went down well with viewers outside of France and is likely to be a hit with those who enjoy stories that involve political machinations, corruption, backstabbing and revenge.

It will also give you an introduction to regional French and the distinctive accent of Marseille, which, if you’re more used to the pronunciation of standard French, may come as something of a shock.

Reality TV & Docu-Series

7. L’Agence (2021-present) – Reality TV

English title: The Parisian Agency: Exclusive Properties

Originally aired in France and Monaco before moving to Netflix in 2021, l’Agence is a reality TV show that follows the fortunes of the Kretz family and their luxury real estate agency.

Now in its sixth season, there’s lots about this show to love. First, you’ll get to discover the kind of amazing properties the wealth of the super-rich can buy.

You’ll also learn about the inside workings of the family business and some of the day-to-day aspects of running a property agency, including team building, dealing with difficult customers and the like.

Finally, it’s a great option for anyone looking to practise and improve their French since you’ll get to listen in on a whole variety of authentic conversations in real spoken French.

This is sure to give your listening skills a boost, and you might also pick up a few colourful expressions you didn’t know before.

Just be prepared to feel just a little bit jealous when you see some of the properties the Krets’ clients are looking at!

8. The Ultimatum: France (2022) – Reality TV

English title: The Ultimatum: France

Fans of Netflix reality shows may already be familiar with this one since the original version was an American concept named The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On where couples on the show were given an ultimatum – they either marry their current partner or split up.

The American version reached number one on Netflix’s viewing charts, and a French spinoff was subsequently ordered – entitled The Ultimatum: France.

According to the show’s format, couples swap partners for three weeks before deciding whether they will marry their original partner or split up with them.

Detractors of reality TV will claim that the idea has become ever more distasteful over the years as producers try to come up with original concepts for new shows.

However, if you’re a fan of things like Love Island and the like, you’re sure to enjoy this too. And since you can watch it in French, you can convince yourself that you’re actually doing something worthwhile while you’re watching it.

9. Raël: Le Prophète des extraterrestres (2024) – Docu-series

English title: Raël: The Alien Prophet

For those who prefer fact to fiction, this one-season documentary series about Raël, the founder of a religion based on UFOs, could be one to watch.

Originally a sportscar journalist known as Claude Vorilhon, Raël’s life took an unexpected turn in 1973 when he was supposedly visited by aliens.

He subsequently changed his name and began a religion devoted to the so-called Elohim, alien visitors who were responsible for creating life on Earth. 

He has since devoted his time to travelling the world promoting his religion – and selling the books he has written about it – while attempting to attract as many new devotees as possible to his cult.

The four episodes of this docu-series investigate the beginnings of his religion and follow him through the controversies he has created – such as his advocacy for human cloning and accusations of fraud and deception.

Is he simply a charlatan or do his ideas have any basis in reality? After watching the series, you will be able to decide for yourself – and you can push yourself to improve your French while making up your mind.

Action

10. Braqueurs (2021-2023) – Action

English title: Ganglands

Braqueurs, known as “Ganglands” in English, is a gritty crime drama set in Belgium. It appeared on Netflix in 2021, and two seasons of six episodes each have appeared to date.

The action begins when Shaïnez and Liana, who are making money through low-level crime, accidentally steal eight kilos of cocaine from a drug courier.

Shaïnez is the niece of professional robber Mehdi. And as a result of the cocaine theft, Mehdi and his associates are reluctantly drawn into a violent turf war between rival Belgian drug gangs.

Mehdi is then forced to use all his skill and cunning to keep those close to him alive.

Braqueurs has everything you’d expect of a series in this genre, including loyalty and betrayal, intrigue, violence, plot twists and plenty of action. 

So if that’s the kind of show you enjoy, and you’re looking for something along those lines to watch in French, this is one that’s sure to serve up everything you could ask for. 

11. Furies (2024) – Action

English title: Furies

Not to be confused with At Home with the Furys, the Netflix series about the British heavyweight boxer and his family, Furies is a French crime drama about a student named Lyna whose boyfriend is a police officer but whose parents are criminals.

When her parents are killed in a hit, Lyna is sent to prison for failing to cooperate with the police investigating the murder. And on her release, she finds herself plunged into the crime underworld as she tries to find the killers herself.

This leads her to Selma, known as the “Fury”, a woman whose job it is to maintain the peace between Paris’ major crime syndicates – and who decides to groom Lyna to replace her.

This recent show has proved popular on the Netflix platform, and a second season is already in the pipeline. So this is another one to watch for fans of criminal intrigue and plots that continuously deliver unexpected twists and turns. 

Supernatural, Sci-Fi & Horror

12. Mortel (2019) – Supernatural teen drama

English title: Mortel

When two teenagers, Sofiane and Victor, make a pact with a voodoo god, they are granted supernatural powers that they use to investigate the murder of Sofiane’s brother. They then make further use of these powers in several subsequent spooky adventures.

This kind of plotline is classic Netflix fare, and if you enjoy series like this, the two seasons of six episodes each are likely to go down well. Although supernatural teen drama might not be everybody’s favourite genre.

In particular, the storytelling and acting – as well as the accompanying soundtrack – were generally well received. And the fun plotlines will keep most people engaged, making this another great option if you want to try watching Netflix series in French. 

13. Osmosis (2019) – Sci-Fi

English title: Osmosis

The intriguing premise of this series revolves around a new invention designed to revolutionise dating – an implant that can delve into your most intimate thoughts to identify your perfect match and quickly find your soulmate.

However, there’s another side to using the Osmosis implant since the initial tests produce some unexpected results, and the situation becomes ever more complex as the plot develops.

The series was expensive to make, with each episode costing around a reported €1m, something that is evident in the production and special effects on display. 

The story is also well-written and thought-provoking, making this more than just another run of the mill Netflix production.

Unfortunately, the series was pulled after just one season, so there are only eight episodes available to watch – which means you’ll just have to savour the episodes that were made and wonder what could have happened if further seasons had been approved.

14. La Révolution (2020) – Horror

English title: La Révolution

One of the fun things about Netflix and the series that appear on the service is that many ideas that would never have been made before the advent of streaming end up making their way to our screens – and La Révolution is a perfect example.

This series is a reimagining of the French Revolution as a supernatural drama in which a “blue blood” virus spreads through the nobility, causing them to attack – and even eat – the lower classes, eventually leading to the Revolution itself.

Another high-budget production, this series blends period drama with horror and fantasy, and its outlandish ideas combine to create a series that’s a lot of fun to watch. Although, as expected, you certainly won’t find much in the way of historical accuracy.

As with Osmosis, this one was also cancelled after just its first season, which is a shame because I’m sure lots of people would have liked to see more of the same, especially those into the zombie apocalypse genre.

In any case, it’s a good way to practise your French – all while savouring the bizarreness of the series’ improbable plot.

Comedy

15. Plan cœur (2018 – 2022) – Comedy

English title: The Hook Up Plan

Plan cœur was one of the first French series made for Netflix, debuting in 2018 and running for three seasons and 21 episodes before ending in 2022.

It follows the life of Elsa who, at almost 30, feels her life is going nowhere. She’s fed up with her job, and two years after her breakup, she still hasn’t been able to forget her ex.

So to help, her friends secretly decide to send her on a date with a male escort – with hilarious results.

When it was first released, Plan cœur was heralded as the kind of show that would drive Netflix’s success in France, a territory that was lagging behind other parts of the world at that time.

Since then, it has also become a popular show internationally, showcasing typically French humour with dialogues and situations that nevertheless appeal to wider audiences.

As such, it’s an excellent pick for anyone looking for a show that will help them work on their French skills while also exposing them to a bit of French culture – especially if you’re looking for a few laughs along the way.

How To Get The Most Out Of French TV Shows On Netflix

We’ve looked at which French TV shows on Netlifx to watch, but what’s the best way to watch them? The answer to this question depends on what you hope to get out of it, so here are a couple of tips.

• Watching for cultural interest

If you’re just interested in watching a bit of francophone TV, perhaps for cultural exposure, then you can simply look these shows up on Netflix and watch them in English – especially if you don’t have the level of French to understand them in the original language.

Many of them will be dubbed, and those that aren’t will be available with English subtitles, so they are accessible to anyone, regardless of your level of French.

• Watch in the original with French subtitles

If you’re more interested in watching French shows to improve your French, it’s much better to watch the VO – the version original (original version).

If you can’t quite understand French TV shows on Netflix without help, a good option is to put on French subtitles. 

This is a great way to improve your listening skills because you will be able to read the dialogues and connect the sounds of French to words you might otherwise have missed. 

Be aware, though, that if you watch with French audio and English subtitles, it won’t help your French much since you will just read the English and zone out of listening to the French.

• Start by watching smaller chunks

At the beginning, I suggest watching chunks of around 10 or 15 minutes at a time until you get used to watching in French because otherwise, you will find your attention quickly starts to wander.

• Don’t pause all the time to check vocab

Also, I would recommend against pausing the show every 10 seconds to look up words you don’t understand. 

Instead, just try to piece together what is going on as best you can and guess at words you don’t know – unless there is obviously one keyword that’s affecting your overall comprehension, in which case, feel free to look it up.

If you really want to, you can always look up the script online afterwards and try to work out any bits you missed.

• Don’t expect to understand everything

When you first start watching French TV shows on Netflix, try not to get disheartened if you don’t understand everything – or even very much at all – right away.

Watching native-level TV is difficult, and even advanced learners may not understand everything. However, if you stick at it and watch a little bit of French TV a few days every week, you will quickly notice your comprehension levels improving.

Where Can You Find French TV Shows On Netflix?

When it comes to finding shows to watch, you have two options.

One option with your regular Netflix subscription is simply to search for French content by typing in something like “French” or “French series”, and you will be given a list of series to try.

If you know what you want to watch – like the suggestions I’ve given you in this post – you can also simply type in the title of the show.

Your second option is to use a VPN to log in from France. This way, you will have access to all the shows on Netflix France that might not necessarily be available in your country, giving you an even wider selection of French shows to choose from.

FAQs About French TV Shows On Netflix

French TV Shows On Netflix To Learn French

If your level is not quite there yet, you may need to wait a little longer. But if you have an intermediate level and above, you'll be able to get a lot out of watching French TV shows on Netflix since you'll be able to understand much of what you see.

Above all, try to find something you enjoy and then try to make a regular habit of watching French TV each week. And then see how quickly your listening abilities and overall French level start to improve!

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.