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CULTURE

Reader question: What are the best French TV channels and how can I watch them?

Watching French TV is a great way to learn a little about the country and improve your French - but knowing what to watch and how to access it can be a little daunting.

Published: 10 February 2023 15:37 CET
Hand changing channel on TV remote
Watching TV in France - how hard can it be? Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters

Once upon a time, all you needed to watch TV in France was an aerial, an electrical socket, a TV, and a TV licence. 

These days, it can be slightly more complicated – though the initial TV tuning process is much easier, less sweary, and takes less time than it does to set up your so-called smart TV – and of course you can also watch on a laptop or tablet.

The basics

You still can, in France, buy a new TV, plug it in and watch what’s available. You don’t even need a TV licence, after President Emmanuel Macron axed the €138-a-year payment following his re-election in 2022.

READ ALSO What now for France’s public service broadcasters after TV licence axed?

New TVs will, as standard, allow access to the Télévision Numérique Terrestre, or TNT channels. This is a bundle of 26 free-to-air channels, most of which were at least part-funded by the TV licence fee; plus Canal Plus, which is a pay-TV channel but does broadcast some free-to-air content. 

Older TVs may require you to have a set-top box. These are available in stores.

Channels you will be able to watch are: TF1, France 2, France 3, France 5, M6, arte, C8, W9, TMC, TFX, NRJ12, France 4, CStar, Gulli, TF1 Series Movies, 6ter, RMC Story, RMC Discovery, Cherie 25; sports news channel L’Equipe 21; and news channels BFM News, CNews, political news channel LCI Public Senate, LCI and Franceinfo. Plus, as noted, Canal Plus is on there.

Outside the news and sport channels, most are general broadcasters, so you’ll get the range of news and current affairs shows, reality TV programmes, dramas, comedies and documentaries. 

READ ALSO Five reasons the Bake Off is better in France than in Britain

Watch out for imported TV shows – and there are plenty, notably from the US or UK –  marked VM (Version Multilangue) which means dubbed into French or VOST (Version Originale Sous-Titrée) in English with French subtitles.

All offer Replay services, so if you missed something when it was broadcast, you can catch up later.

Bundles

The TNT option is a decent start, but most people these days get their TV services as part of a bundle from their telephone and internet provider. Note, they include actual TVs as part of their offers, these days…

The four major telephone-mobile-internet-TV providers in France are: Orange, SFR, Bouygues, and Free. 

All offer access to the TNT channels, add a few dozen more of their own, and then bundle together additional channels in several packages for you to subscribe to, based on your preferences – sport, for example, or films.

READ ALSO When your favourite films and TV shows will be available in France

All offer Replay services, so if you missed something when it was broadcast, you can catch up later. They also offer video on demand services, allowing you to rent or buy films or series. And gaming, too, if that’s your bag.

Pay-TV

On top of the bundles offered by your provider, there are the pay-TV broadcasters, who – basically – offer their own bundles that you can subscribe to, on top of those offered by your TV services provider.

The main one in France is Canal Plus. It offers the usual range of programming – generalist channels, a dedicated movie channel, live sport channels (it has French men’s professional rugby, F1, and golf, for example). 

Rival OCS was originally available only to those who got their services through Orange, but is now also offered across Bouygues Telecom, CanalSat, and SFR for a premium.

Sports fans may also wish to pay for beIN Sports and RMC Sport.

READ ALSO 7 TV shows that will help you understand France

Streaming VOD services

Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, Apple TV, the gang’s all here in France – and you can set your language preferences to English, if you prefer … and if you’ve never heard Brad Pitt’s French-dubbed voice before, it can come as something of a shock. 

READ ALSO Five Netflix series that will teach you French as the locals speak it

What to watch

Watching French TV is a great way to improve your language skills and pick up a bit of French culture, but knowing where to start can be daunting. 

News – the state-funded channels TF1 and France 2 both run daily news shows and TF1, in particular, is where politicians with announcements to make frequently show up. If you’re looking for a commercial news channel there is BFM TV which has a slightly more tabloidey approach or C News (which is right-wing and sometimes described as the ‘French Fox News’).

Entertainment – if you would rather have a bit of divertissement, France has a lot of téléréalité (reality TV shows). Probably the biggest show is Koh-Lanta, the French version of UK show survivor, on TF1. Other alternatives are Le Meilleur Pâtissier and Top Chef which are baking and cooking contests or L’amour est dans le pré, which is a dating show for farmers (just go with us on this one, it’s strangely addictive). They can be found on the commercial channel M6. 

Arts – if you fancy something a little more cerebral, the French-German channel Arte offers a lot of arts content, plus some really great dramas. 

Drama – talking of drama, pay channel Canal Plus has made several acclaimed dramas from Engrenages to Baron Noir. The terrestrial channels also frequently offer re-runs of American shows as well, usually dubbed into French (it can be quite something to hear the cast of Friends suddenly speaking French with someone else’s voice, but it’s actually a good way to pick up some vocab, since you likely already know the plotlines).

Sports – if you want to watch French domestic or international fixtures you will find a decent selection on the terrestrial channels like TF1. If, however, you want to watch your home country’s team play, you’re likely to need to pay for one of the specialist sports channels like Canal Plus or L’Equipe. Terrestrial TV seems to show a lot of skiing, so maybe it’s time to get involved in a new sport?

Here’s our pick of 7 French TV shows that will help you understand France

Can I watch French TV outside France?

It depends on the channel and the package that you have, but plenty of the commercial channels have websites where you can stream their shows, although usually on a catch-up basis rather than live. M6 (home of all those reality TV shows) has the 6play.fr site which works both in France and abroad, while bfmtv.com also allows live or catch-up viewing outside of France. Pay-for channels like Canal Plus work anywhere once you have an account. 

The state-funded broadcasters like TF1 are not, however, available outside France. 

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FILM

French films with English subtitles to watch in May 2024

Lost in Frenchlation – the cinema club that screens French films with English subtitles – has seven screenings in store for May 2024.

Published: 18 April 2024 17:57 CEST
French films with English subtitles to watch in May 2024

Lost in Frenchlation has plenty in store for English-speakers looking to enjoy French cinema this May in Paris.

With seven films on the docket this month, there will be something for everyone. On top of that, there are plenty of fun extras in store – two Q&As with directors, two walking tours, and one comedy show. As usual, come early to chit-chat and enjoy pre-drinks. 

You can also subscribe to the weekly Lost in Frenchlation newsletter with more updates here, or visit their website Lost in Frenchlation.

Pas de vagues

Friday, May 3rd

Club de L’Etoile, 14 Rue Troyon, 75017 Paris

Directed by Teddy Lussi-Modeste, this film tells the story of Julien, a young literature teacher, who is accused of sexual misconduct by one of his students, Leslie. As he tries to prove his innocence, the situation gets more complicated with rumours spiralling and threats mounting from the girl’s older brother and his friends. 

Stick around after the screening for a Q&A with the director.

Pre-drinks will start at 7pm, followed by the screening at 8pm. 

Tickets – Between €10 to €12, depending on your situation. You can reserve them here.

PasDeVagues_TLR-IS_H264_HD-239_24p_WEB20_EN_20240229-M141 from Lost in Frenchlation on Vimeo.

Première Affaire

Sunday, May 5th

Luminor, 20 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris

The film follows Nora, a young, newly graduated lawyer who tries to make sense of the cruelty of the world while handling her first criminal case. Trying to keep up with challenges in her professional and private life, she starts to question her life choices.

There will also be a Q&A with the director, Victoria Musiedlak, after the screening.

You are welcome to arrive early for pre-drinks at 7pm, followed by the screening at 8pm.

Tickets – Ranging from €7 to €11. You can reserve them here.

Anatomie d’une chute

Sunday, May 12th

Club de L’Etoile,14 Rue Troyon, 75017 Paris

Join Lost in Frenchlation for their final screening of the award-winning film ‘Anatomie d’une chute’. The film follows Sandra, a German writer, her French husband Samuel, and their eleven-year-old son Daniel who live a secluded life in the French Alps. When Samuel dies unexpectedly, Sandra is suspected of having played a role in his death. She tries to prove her innocence, but throughout the trial, the intimate details of the couple’s life together are uncovered.

Pre-drinks will start at 7pm, with the screening at 8pm. There will be a short introduction to the film prior to the screening by its translator.

Tickets – Between €10- €12. Book them here 

L’Auberge Espagnole

Friday, May 17th

L’Entrepôt, 7 Rue Francis de Pressensé, 75014 Paris

Known as ‘Pot Luck’ in English, the classic comedy by Cédric Klapisch follows Parisian Xavier as he decides to take a year abroad in Spain during his last year of university. He finds himself in a flat-share with students from across Europe, and they try to navigate life together through language and cultural barriers.

The screening will start at 8pm, with drinks beforehand at 7pm.

You can also join the ‘Montmartre Amélie walking tour’ from 5pm to 7pm. Tickets are separate and cost €17 and can be purchased here.

Tickets (for the film) – Between €5 to €8.50. You can buy them here.

Madame Hofmann

Thursday, May 23rd

Luminor, 20 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris

This film follows Sylvie Hofmann, who has spent the last 40 years working as a nurse at the North Hospital of Marseille. She spends her life juggling different responsibilities from her patients to her sick mother and her husband and daughter. Now, she has to decide whether to think about herself for once, and whether or not retirement is the next step.

Arrive early for pre-drinks at 7pm, followed by the screening at 8pm.

Tickets – From €7 to €11. You can purchase them here.

La vie de ma mère

Sunday, May 26th

Le Balzac,1 Rue Balzac, 75008 Paris

Directed by Julien Carpentier, this film follows Pierre, a successful florist whose life is turned upside down when his mother, Judith, who he has not seen in two years turns up out of the blue. Judith suffers from bipolar disorder and had been living in a clinic, but she escaped and made her way to Pierre. While Pierre’s first thought is to bring his mother back to the clinic, things do not go according to plan and the two end up having a transformative reunion.

With the screening taking place on Mother’s Day in France, arrive early for a special ‘Women of Paris’ walking tour from 5pm to 7pm. Tickets are separate from the film and cost €17. You can purchase them here.

The pre-drinks will start at 7pm, with the screening at 8pm. 

Tickets – Ranging from : €5.50 to €11.50. You can reserve here.

Et plus si affinités

Thursday, May 30th

L’Arlequin, 76 Rue de Rennes, 75006 Paris

Directed by Olivier Ducray and Wilfried Meance, follow the story of a couple, Xavier and Sophie, exhausted by 25 years together. When Sophie has the idea to invite their upstairs neighbours, Adèle and Alban, to dinner, Xavier is not too thrilled. A somewhat awkward dinner ensues.

Arrive early for pre-drinks at 7pm and a comedy show by comedian Jono Duffy. The screening will start at 8pm.

Tickets – From €13 to €15. You can reserve tickets here.

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