Best French Series on Netflix and Amazon Prime (2022)

1. Dix pour cent (Call My Agent!)

This comedic gem has deservedly become a global Netflix hit. One of the best French shows for language learners.

At a top Paris talent firm, agents scramble to keep their star clients happy — and their business afloat — after an unexpected crisis. Each episode features at least one real-life French celebrity playing themselves.

Keep an ear out for colloquial expressions such as:

• se prendre la tête – to get worked up about something, to get irritated
• saouler quelqu’un – to annoy or exhaust someone, as in Il/elle/ça me saoule!
• se casser – to leave. On se casse = Let’s get out of here.
• dingue – crazy, as in C’est dingue!
• chiant (vulgar) – boring, irritating 
• faire chier (vulgar) – to bother, to bore

For more vocabulary explanations, watch innerFrench’s excellent analysis of the beginning of the first episode (no spoilers).

French Mornings with Elisa also has a couple of helpful videos analyzing the show’s slang.

2. L’Agence (The Parisian Agency: Exclusive Properties)

Luxury property shows can be superficial, but what saves this popular French reality show is the focus on the close-knit Kretz clan, who runs a realty business from their home in Boulogne, Paris.

L’Agence features gorgeous locations around Paris and French holiday destinations like Île de Ré, Megève, Annecy, Cap Ferrat, and Saint-Barth.

This is real-life French with lots of slang. A great opportunity to hear everyday French with the benefit of subtitles.

• coup de cœur (m.) – favorite, crush; used to refer to things (like apartments) rather than people
• soudé – welded, closely knit; une famille soudée – a closely knit family
• craquer – to be unable to resist something; craquer pour qch – to find something irresistible (slang)
• se magner – to hurry (slang)
• braquer quelqu’un – to antagonize somebody (slang)
• canon – good-looking, gorgeous (slang)
• pépite (f.) – a gem or treasure
• se planter – to mess up, to get something wrong (slang)

Season 2 was released March 2022. Crossing my fingers for a Season 3!

3. Lupin

Fun, fast-paced adaptation of the exploits of master burglar Arsène Lupin, beloved French antihero of a series of classic crime novels. The most popular French series ever on Netflix.

The charming Omar Sy (Intouchables) stars as a professional thief who sets out to avenge his immigrant father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family. This binge-worthy heist series also addresses issues of racism and France’s colonial past.

Beautiful location shots in Paris and Normandy add to the enjoyment.

Some vocabulary:

• balayeur – sweeper, street cleaner
• aux enchères – at auction
• décoller – to take off or launch; also slang for “to leave”
• bidon – fraud, bogus (slang)
• se barrer – to leave, get out (slang)
• choper – to catch, to steal (slang)
• poteau – friend, buddy (slang)

4. Plan Coeur (The Hook Up Plan)

Super fun, addictive rom-com set in Paris.

Endearingly dorky Elsa is about to turn 30 and stuck in an boring job. Plus, she’s still hung up on her ex two years after their breakup. In a misguided attempt to renew Elsa’s faith in dating, her girlfriends secretly hire a male escort for her, with unexpected consequences.

The casting does a nice job representing the diversity of French society, with characters of Portuguese, Arab, African, and Spanish origin.

The first season has only six episodes of less than 30 minutes, making this an easy watch for language learners. Unfortunately, the second season is not nearly as good, and I didn’t finish it.

The French title’s a play on words on the expression plan cul, or plan q, a hookup or one-night stand.

Colloquial expressions to listen for:

• chelou – weird, suspicious. Verlan, or backwards slang, derived from the word louche, which has the same meaning.
• relou – verlan for lourd (literally “heavy,” but figuratively means annoying)
• bosser – to work, to slave away
• taf (m) – a job
• picoler – to drink, to booze
• clope (f) – cigarette
• avoir trop de bol – to be super lucky
• être à la bourre – to be in a rush, to be late
• les fringues (f) – clothes
• chanmé – verlan form of méchant (wicked, nasty). Means awesome, just like the English slang “wicked.”

5. Family Business

In this entertaining comedy, Joseph, a failed entrepreneur played by French-Jewish comedian Jonathan Cohen, finds out pot is to be legalized in France. He decides to convert his family’s kosher butcher shop into the country’s first cannabis coffee shop.

The show is set in Le Marais, Paris’s historical Jewish quarter, and the vibrant mix of Ashkenazi and North African Sephardic and Muslim communities provides an fascinating cultural backdrop.

Episodes run about half an hour, perfect for learners, and feature lots of humorous verlan (backwards slang). For example, Joseph calls the new coffee shop “Beucherie,” a play on words with boucherie (butcher shop) and beuh (verlan for herbe or pot).

In another hilarious scene, when Joseph’s sister Aure plans to move to Kyoto, another character assumes it’s verlan for Tokyo. He’s shocked to learn Kyoto exists, exclaiming that the Japanese must get their rendez-vous mixed up all the time when speaking verlan!

6. Drôle (Standing Up)

Smart, well-written show by Fanny Herrero, creator of Dix pour cent (Call My Agent!).

In Paris, four young comedians chase stand-up fame while juggling financial pressures, family tensions, and romantic adventures. The Drôle comedy club in the show is loosely based on Le Paname in the vibrant, multicultural 11th arrondissement, and the cast reflects the diversity of Paris.

7. Au service de la France (A Very Secret Service)

This fun spy comedy satirizes France’s secret service as well as French bureaucracy and colonialism.

At the height of the Cold War in 1960, young André Merlaux is hired as a trainee at the French secret service. He soon becomes trapped in a web of global intrigue, absurd bureaucracy, and young love.

The show offers interesting insights into French history and culture. The humor can be quite dark as it explores France’s legacy of racism and colonialism.

One of the most popular French TV dramas for learners. The language is relatively simple. Some expressions from this Netflix French series:

• pot (m) – small office celebration. Y’a pot! – It’s party time!
• tamponné – stamped, bureaucratically approved
• ras-le-bol – expression of discontent. J’en ai ras-le-bol ! – I’m sick of this; I’m fed up!
• pagaille (f), foutoir (m) – mess, chaos
• se ficher de – to mock or to not give a damn about. Il se fiche de nous – He’s making fun of us. Je me fiche de ton travail – I don’t care about your work.
• péquenot (m) – country bumpkin
• balle (f) – a French franc (used nowadays to refer to the euro)

8. Fluctuat nec mergitur (November 13: Attack on Paris)

This intense, riveting French docu-series recounts the events of November 13, 2015, when ISIL terrorists attacked six Paris locations, killing 130 and injuring hundreds more.

The original title comes from Paris’ Latin motto Fluctuat nec mergitur (“tossed by the sea but never sunk”), which became a message of defiance after the attacks.

I wasn’t sure I’d be able to watch this, but the story is told with restraint and respect. The personal accounts of anguish, kindness, and courage by survivors and first responders are unforgettable.

9. The Circle France

^{No English subtitles available for YouTube trailer — click here to watch subtitled trailer on Netflix}

In this unique social media popularity contest, online players try to flirt, bond, and catfish their way to a €100,000 prize.

It’s the perfect French reality TV show to binge right now because each contestant is isolated in their apartment, able to communicate only via social media.

While the show flashes gorgeous opening drone shots of France, players actually live in the same apartment building in Manchester, UK used for The Circle‘s American and British editions.

Contestants hail from a variety of locations. The culturally diverse cast included participants with Cameroonian, Moroccan, and Portuguese origins. My favorite player was Maxime/Valeria from Monaco!

The diversity of accents and slang make The Circle a great choice for French language learners.

Some argot (slang) you’ll hear on the show:

• mdr – Internet abbreviation for mort de rire, or lol
• meuf (f) – girl or chick. Verlan, or backwards slang, derived from the word femme.
• draguer – to flirt with
• coucou – hello or hi
• kiffer – to really like, to enjoy
• ouf – verlan for fou, or crazy
• beau gosse (m) – good-looking guy (learn more about les beaux gosses in this funny video)

10. Emily in Paris

Bingeworthy show by the creator of Sex and the City. Emily, a driven marketing executive from Chicago, moves to Paris for her job. Cultures clash as she adjusts to the challenges of life in France.

While the show has been deservedly criticized for its unrealistic portrayal of Paris and the French, it remains a guilty pleasure watch for Francophiles. Although most of the show is in English, you’ll never forget phrases such as la plouc (the hick), ringard.e (basic) and la dame pipi (restroom attendant). Season 2 does feature more French dialogue.

11. M’entends-tu? (Can You Hear Me?)

^{No English subtitles available for YouTube trailer — click here to watch subtitled trailer on Netflix}

If you’d like to practice Canadian French, try this gritty, funny series set in a low-income part of Montreal.

Three female friends find hope and raunchy humor as they deal with bad boyfriends and dysfunctional families.

Lots of Quebecois slang.

12. Chef’s Table: France

This France-themed spin-off features the trademark gorgeous cinematography and production of the Chef’s Table series.

Each episode highlights one renowned French chef sharing what inspires them to push the boundaries of France’s rich culinary tradition.

13. Christmas Flow

In this cute new rom-com, an unlikely Christmas romance blossoms between a famous rapper and a tenacious journalist. But can they make it work despite their differences?

Thanks to Lionel from the excellent French learning podcast Impolyglot for the recommendation.

14. Sakho & Mangane

For a taste of West African French, try this fast-paced crime drama from Senegal, Netflix’s first French series from Africa. A brash undercover cop and an gruff older captain are thrown together to solve difficult cases in Dakar.

Worth watching for the cultural insights, melodic West African accents, and interesting shots of Dakar, Senegal’s bustling capital.

15. Le Bazar de la Charité (The Bonfire Of Destiny)

^{No English subtitles available for YouTube trailer — click here to watch subtitled trailer on Netflix}

Rather soapy French drama series inspired by the infamous 1897 fire in a Paris charity hall that killed 130 people, mostly women.

The harrowing story follows three women whose lives are upended in the tragedy: socialite Adrienne (Audrey Fleurot), her niece Alice, and maid Rose.

To be honest, this French TV drama is a little melodramatic for my taste. However, many enjoy the female-driven storylines. If you like historical series, give it a try.

The French is clear and relatively easy to understand.

1. Mixte (Voltaire High)

2. Un village français (A French Village)

The compelling story of a small fictional village in Jura during the German occupation of France during World War II. This gripping drama features complex characters, a great script, and nuanced acting.

In June 1940, the village of Villeneuve awakes to the arrival of the German army. The next four years of occupation have a shattering effect on the lives of its inhabitants.

Each season corresponds to about one year of the Occupation. The third season covers the mass deportation of the Jews and is hard to watch. However, it provides important insight into the excruciating moral choices faced by the French in this painful period that left psychological scars still felt today.

Seasons 1 and 3-4 are available free on Prime. You can watch the remainder with a free MHz Choice channel trial.

Some colloquial expressions used on the show:

• Boche, Fritz (m) – disparaging term for a German, especially a soldier
• flic (m) – police officer, cop
• Je m’en fiche – I couldn’t care less. (You’ll also hear the more vulgar Je m’en fous – I don’t give a damn.)
• vachement – really, bloody. Used as an intensifier. C’est vachement difficile ! – It’s really hard!
• tonton (m) – childish word for uncle. You’ll also hear tata, or auntie.
• J’en ai marre – I’m sick of this; I’m fed up
• môme, gosse (m) – a kid
• Ta gueule ! – Shut up; shut your trap!
• emmerder quelqu’un (vulgar) – to annoy someone

3. Montre jamais ça à personne (Orelsan: Don’t ever show this to anyone)

Entertaining six-part documentary of the rags-to-riches story of Aurélien Cotentin, a.k.a. French rapper Orelsan. He achieves stardom despite being a white kid from la province far from Paris’s music scene due to his loyal friends and humor, creativity, and social media savvy.

Season 2 will be released in France October 2022, and hopefully in the US not too long after that.

4. Engrenages (Spiral)

Available free on Amazon with a MHz Choice channel trial.

This addictive French detective series won a cult following for its gritty realism, superb acting, and complex storylines. It was broadcast in more than 70 countries.

Warning for sensitive viewers like me: The first episode is excessively gruesome. Hang in there, though. Subsequent episodes, while intense, are less graphic.

The word engrenage literally translates as “cogs” or “gears.” Figuratively, it can also mean a complex mechanism or an inescapable series of events. The English title Spiral derives from the phrase l’engrenage de la violence, a downward spiral of violence.

Lots of swearing and slang in this noir French police drama. To keep this post family-friendly, I’ve omitted the most offensive.

• flic (m) – police officer, cop
• keuf (m) – verlan form of flic or cop
• fric (m) – money
• bagnole, caisse (f) – car
• moche – ugly, unattractive
• balancer quelqu’un – to snitch on someone
• déconner (vulgar) – to talk crap
• connard (m) (vulgar) – idiot, jerk

The long-awaited seasons 7 and 8 are now available.

5. Le Bureau des Légendes (The Bureau)

Binge-worthy French spy thriller based on real accounts with brilliant writing and acting.

This smart, suspenseful drama follows the daily lives and missions of members of France’s external security service — the equivalent of the CIA. It focuses on intelligence officer Guillaume Debailly, code-named “Malotru” (lout or brute in French), who is abruptly recalled to Paris after six years undercover in Syria.

Le Bureau is my favorite French show on Amazon. I didn’t list it in first place because it requires a Sundance Now channel subscription. However, there is a free one-week trial. I did pay for a month-long subscription to watch all the seasons. It was well worth it.

Le Bureau is excellent for language enthusiasts. In addition to French, it features dialogue in Arabic, Farsi, Russian, and Italian.

The French used is fairly straightforward. It doesn’t have as much slang as Spiral, for example.

Some useful vocabulary:

• mouchard (m) – bug, wiretap
• taupe (f) – mole, informer
• balancer quelqu’un – to snitch on someone
• fuite (f) – leak (i.e., of information)
• planque (f) – hideout, safe house
• légende (f) – undercover identity. griller sa légende – to blow someone’s cover.
• quoi – when at the end of a sentence, a filler word used for emphasis. C’est fou, quoi ! – It’s crazy, ya know!
• mec (m) – guy, dude
• bosser – to work, to slave away

More Top French TV Shows

• braquo (m) – violent armed robbery, heist
• ligne jaune (f) – figurative point of no return or line in the sand. franchir la ligne jaune – “to cross the red line” (the line’s red in the English expression for historical reasons).
• fric (m) – money
• voyou (m) – thug
• Ça fait un bail – It’s been a long time; it’s been ages
• être défoncé – to be high on drugs
• came (f) – drugs, narcotics (slang)

3. La Mante (The Mantis)

^{No English subtitles available for YouTube trailer}

French crime thriller reminiscent of The Silence of the Lambs that will keep you on the edge of my seat.

La Mante, an infamous serial killer who terrorized France decades ago, is forced out of isolation by the police to hunt down her copycat.

This French crime series is very suspenseful. At only one six-episode season, it’s a quick watch.

However, I had a hard time getting past the inconsistencies in the storyline. And as an LGBTQ+ ally, there was an aspect of the last two episodes I found offensive.

Despite its shortcomings, La Mante is popular with language learners. The dialogue is clear and not too fast, compared to the speed and slanginess of most French police dramas.

Some helpful vocabulary:

• côtoyer – to rub shoulders with, to be close to
• ordure (f) – garbage, filth
• puits (m) – a well, as for water
• taré, tarée (m/f) – psycho, mentally ill person (slang)
• foirer – to make a big mistake, to screw up (slang)