Apps › Categories › Podcasts
French learning podcasts
The French learning podcasts worth your time are Coffee Break French and Journal en français facile for beginners, InnerFrench and One Thing in a French Day for intermediate listeners, and French Baratin or HugoDécrypte once you can follow real-speed French.
Almost all of them are free. Each listing says the level, whether there is a transcript, and whether the French is slowed down for learners.
Checked October 2026 · 20 listed
Ranked, our picks first
Coffee Break FrenchA friendly free podcast course explained in English; slow by design.
Free tierlisteninggrammar
InnerFrenchThe best free archive for B1 listeners; finished in September 2026, so start at episode 1.
Freelistening
Journal en français facile (RFI)The best free daily news habit, with a synchronised transcript every day.
Freelistening
One Thing in a French DayFive minutes of real Paris life a day; easy to keep up, hard to outgrow.
Free tierlistening
Easy French (podcast)Natural, funny conversation for B1 and up; transcripts are members-only.
Free tierlistening
French BaratinReal conversation between friends at normal speed; the best step up from learner podcasts.
Free tierlistening
Little Talk in Slow FrenchA gentle bridge for A2 to B1 listeners, with free transcripts on Patreon.
Freelistening
French with AmélieReal-speed dialogues with slow audio and transcripts; B1 and up.
Free tierlistening
PasserellesThoughtful all-French episodes for B1 to B2, with free transcripts.
Freelistening
HugoDécrypteThe daily news French people actually listen to; B2 and up only.
Freelistening
News in Slow FrenchWeekly news read slowly with transcripts; structured, but not real speed.
Paidlistening
Français AuthentiqueCalm, clear and free with transcripts; more coaching than conversation.
Free tierlistening
Duolingo French PodcastGreat storytelling for A2 to B1; no new episodes since February 2024.
Freelistening
TransfertGripping real-life stories in natural French for advanced listeners.
Freelistening
FrenchPod101A huge library of short lessons for beginners; a free account lets you sample it.
Free tierlisteningvocabulary
Le PrécepteurClear, careful French on big ideas; for advanced learners who like to think.
Freelistening
French VoicesReal interviews at real speed, but an archive since 2022 with its website gone.
Freelistening
The Learn French With Alexa PodcastFriendly guided listening for A2 to B1 fans of Alexa's lessons.
Freelistening
French Your WayUseful short grammar explanations, but an archive since 2022.
Freelistening
Louis French LessonsThree-minute news with a translation; paused since June 2026.
Freelistening
How we rank
We rank apps by who they genuinely suit, what they cost, and how much they help with the skill learners neglect most: understanding real spoken French. Every price and fact was checked on the product's own site or app store listing on the date shown; where a price is not published we say so and what is free. Nobody pays to be listed or ranked, and there are no affiliate links. More about this site.
Questions
What is the best podcast to learn French?
For beginners, Coffee Break French. For intermediate learners, InnerFrench, which ended in September 2026 but stays a free archive of 200 episodes. For advanced learners, French Baratin or HugoDécrypte.
Are there French podcasts with transcripts?
Yes. Journal en français facile from RFI, InnerFrench, Little Talk in Slow French and Passerelles publish free transcripts; several others keep them for paying members.
Which French podcasts use real-speed French?
HugoDécrypte, Transfert and French Baratin are French at natural speed, and the Easy French podcast records real conversations. Most podcasts for learners slow down.
Can you learn French just by listening to podcasts?
Podcasts train your ear and build vocabulary, but they do not correct you. Pair one with a course or a tutor, and listen to the same episode more than once.