As avid lovers of la langue française, we are huge fans of all methods to absorb French. Brainscape’s top rated web and mobile French app has helped hundreds of thousands of learners improve their French—it's designed using cognitive science to learn language in the most efficient way possible.

But to really learn the language, you can't only use a French language app. You need to engage with the language using authentic French content and text.

But how can you sort through the thousands of French YouTube channels? Don't worry, we did it!

Here it is: our list of top 8 YouTube channels to learn French (you can also check out our list of the top Spanish YouTube channels).

Learn French YouTube channels for beginners

1. Learn French with Vincent

With 900,000 subscribers, this channel has a ton of videos. They cover serious learning with quizzes, vocabulary, and grammar, as well as whimsical looks at topics from nursery rhymes to true crime. This channel is great if you're looking for beginners looking for a lesson on a specific aspect of the French language.

2. Learn French: Frenchpod101.com

Frenchpod101 produces short videos focusing on different vocabulary words, common phrases, and French culture. Some are lists of vocabulary, while others are provide a quick quiz on the lesson. The videos are made by a team of native French speakers, who also have a website with more study resources.

While these videos are great for total beginners, most of the videos are in English, so it won't help a learner who wants to hear French.

3. Learn French with Alexa

This is another great channel for beginners. Alexa Polidoro has made French learning videos since 2012 and still produces new, up-to-date videos each week. She provides simple explanations of grammar and vocabulary as well as more complex breakdowns of pronunciation intricacies. Plus there's time for fun, with songs, holiday activities, festivals, and day trips. Each video is clearly labelled with its difficulty rating (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2), so it's great for learners at any level.

4. Coffee Break Languages French

CoffeeBreak French features a group of language teachers who focus on grammar explanations (in English). However, they also gather a variety of native French speakers to give you a set of authentic texts on simple topics. It's great for beginners to develop their listening skills and basic vocabulary.

The best YouTube channels for intermediate French learners

5. Easy French

We love the concept of Easy French: go out and speak with native French speakers. They ask simple questions that are easy to follow for intermediate learners. These easy-to-follow conversations are entirely in French: great for developing listening practice.

6. Inner French

Inner French is our favorite podcast aimed at intermediate learners. The host, Hugo, bounces between various curiosities of French culture, education, food, and even literature. While there are some videos explaining French vocabulary or grammar, the majority are simply interesting topics, spoken in clear, slow French.

As people who are constantly thinking about the cognitive science of learning a language, we love that he even has a video on Stephen Krashen's input hypothesis.

The best YouTube channels to learn French for advanced learners

7. Radio France Internationale

Radio France Internationale, or RFI, is a wonderful resource for those learning French. Their website has great resources for people at a beginner or intermediate level, but their YouTube channel is probably best suited to more advanced learners. You'll find short, interesting videos about current events from around the world. This is a channel that serves both French learners and native French speakers who treat it as a news source.

8. Documentaires HD France

Documentaires HD France is a great channel for finding documentaries in French. They're free and high-quality. You can find explorations of dozens of topics from haunted houses to dinosaurs.

Learn French on YouTube to complement your flashcard app

These Learn French YouTube channels are wonderful sources of listening and instructional content that can complement your favorite French app or study plan. Authentic content like this is essential when trying to learn French from an app or from a tutor.

We're confident that Brainscape's structured French flashcard curriculum is the world's best app for learning French. We've used it to learn French ourselves, so we know online applications are effective language instruction tools. But to really get fluent in French, you need to pair it with genuine French content.

Listening is one of the critical skills you need to be fluent in French. YouTube is one the best resources for you to use your listening skills without booking a flight. These French YouTube channels will give you the listening practice you need so that your eyes are accustomed to the language when you arrive for your bike tour of the Loire valley.

Check out our comprehensive guide on how to learn French more efficiently for insights on ways to practice your reading, speaking, and writing as well as listening.

Bon courage!