As avid lovers of la langue française, we’re fans of any method that helps learners absorb French more effectively. Digital flashcard apps like Brainscape and Quizlet can play a useful role in building vocabulary and reinforcing grammar, especially when they are designed around proven learning science.

That said, no app can do all the work on its own. To truly learn French, you need regular exposure to how the language is actually used. That means engaging with authentic French content, hearing real voices, and reading or listening beyond structured exercises. One of the easiest ways to do that is through video.

But with thousands of French YouTube channels out there, finding the good ones can feel overwhelming. So we narrowed it down for you.

Here it is: our list of the top 8 YouTube channels to learn French in 2026.

What are the Best YouTube Channels for Beginners to Learn French?

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 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 every 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 labeled 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.

What are 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.

What are 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.

How can You Learn French on YouTube to Complement Your Flashcard App?

French-learning YouTube channels are excellent sources of listening practice and guided instruction that can complement your favourite flashcard app or broader study plan. Exposure to authentic spoken French, as it helps bridge the gap between study and real-world use.

Structured study tools such as digital flashcard apps like Anki or Brainscape are highly effective for building vocabulary and reinforcing grammar, as their spaced repetition algorithms help you learn twice as fast. They're an essential part of your routine, but fluency requires more than structured review alone. To truly progress, you need regular contact with how French is spoken naturally.

Listening is one of the most important skills for becoming comfortable in French, and YouTube makes it accessible from anywhere. Watching French videos allows you to hear different accents, rhythms, and speaking styles without leaving home. With consistent practice, your ears start to adjust, making real conversations feel far less intimidating when you finally use French in everyday situations.

Bon courage!

Additional Reading

References

Krashen, S. (1999). Principles and practice in Second language acquisition. Phoenix ELT.

Lally, P., & Gardner, B. (2013). Promoting habit formation. Health Psychology Review, 7(sup1), S137-S158.

Learn French with the international news - le français facile avec RFI. RFI. (n.d.). https://francaisfacile.rfi.fr/en/?from=savoirs