French, known for its elegance and richness, can be learned through various mediums, and one engaging way is through watching French cartoons.
From whimsical adventures to heartwarming tales, French kids' cartoons offer a plethora of opportunities to immerse yourself in the French language while enjoying captivating stories.
Read on to discover nine awesome French cartoons that can help you on your journey to mastering French.
1. "Les Zinzins de l’espace" ("Space Goofs")
"Les Zinzins de l’espace," also known as "Space Goofs," follows the misadventures of five aliens who crash-land on Earth and take refuge in the attic of a rental house.
Despite their efforts to return home, their harebrained schemes often lead to disastrous consequences. With 104 episodes, this series offers plenty of content for language learners.
The animation style reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons, coupled with various French accents, makes it an excellent starter series for those who want to learn French. You can easily access episodes on the show's official YouTube channel, providing a convenient way to watch and learn.
2. "Les Aventures de Tintin" ("The Adventures of Tintin")
Based on the beloved Belgian comic series, "Les Aventures de Tintin" has become a cultural icon in France and Belgium. The series follows Tintin, a courageous reporter, and his loyal dog Snowy, as they embark on thrilling adventures around the world.
Joined by colorful characters like Captain Haddock and Professor Calculus, Tintin solves mysteries and foils villains in captivating storylines. While originally recorded in English, a French-language version is available, offering an immersive experience for French learners.
Though finding it on streaming services may prove challenging, platforms like YouTube often host full-length episodes.
3. "Le Petit Nicolas" ("Little Nicholas")
Adapted from the popular children's book series, "Le Petit Nicolas" offers a glimpse into the life of Nicolas, a spirited schoolboy, and his adventures in 1960s France.
The series captures the innocence and humor of childhood, with simple vocabulary that appeals to learners of French. Through Nicolas's escapades with his friends, viewers are treated to charming narratives that provide insight into the world of French children.
With its own YouTube channel, accessing this delightful series has never been easier.
4. "Georges le Petit Curieux" ("Curious George")
Originally written in French but gaining popularity after its adaptation into English, "Georges le Petit Curieux" tells the tale of a curious little monkey named George and his adventures with the Man with the Yellow Hat.
While the series retains its charm and essence in translation, watching it in French provides an authentic language experience.
Compilations of the show in French can be found online, offering learners the opportunity to engage with the mischievous monkey and expand their vocabulary.
5. "Il était une fois... la vie"
This series started in 1978 with "Il était une fois... la vie" which delves into various aspects of human history. Comparable to American cartoons like "Schoolhouse Rock" or "The Magic School Bus," albeit with a less jubilant tone and devoid of singing, it chronicles the exploits of a group of cells navigating through the human body's different systems, acquiring knowledge of their functions along the journey.
It blends elements of documentary-style narration with physical comedy, providing a unique viewing experience. The show refrains from patronizing its audience, perhaps contributing to its enduring popularity and continued television broadcasts.
6. "Barbapapa"
"Barbapapa" introduces viewers to the colorful and shape-shifting Barbapapa family, who embark on adventures while promoting themes of friendship and acceptance. These iconic colorful blobs were brought to life by a Franco-American couple in the 1970s and initially introduced in a series of books.
The animated version of Barbapapa quickly followed suit. Similar to many classic French cartoons, this series has a leisurely pace and deliberate dialogue/narration, making it an excellent resource for language practice.
This French cartoon series, beloved for its imaginative characters and gentle humor, offers an engaging way for language learners to practice listening and vocabulary acquisition. With episodes available on various platforms, including YouTube, "Barbapapa" provides accessible content for French learners of all ages.
7. "Babar, roi des éléphants" ("Babar, King of the Elephants")
"Babar, roi des éléphants," or "Babar, King of the Elephants," follows the adventures of Babar, a young elephant who becomes king of his own kingdom after experiencing life in the city.
With its endearing characters and timeless themes, this French cartoon series offers valuable lessons along with language learning opportunities.
By watching "Babar" in learners can enhance their listening skills and expand their vocabulary while enjoying the enchanting world of this beloved elephant monarch.
8. Les Mystérieuses Cités d’or ("The Mysterious Cities of Gold")
Another notable series is The Mysterious Cities of Gold, originally released in Japan as "Esteban, Child of the Sun" and released in France and Luxembourg as Les Mystérieuses Cités d'Or.
This animated series was co-produced by DiC Audiovisuel and Studio Pierrot, and it is set in 1532. The story follows the adventures of a young Spanish boy named Esteban who embarks on a voyage to the New World in search of the lost Seven Cities of Gold and his father.
Originally broadcast in Japan, the French version, edited with different characterization and music, was subsequently redubbed and distributed in many countries. Currently, it is licensed for English-language home video release in the United Kingdom, Australia, and North America by Fabulous Films.
What other French cartoons would you add to this list? Maybe "Petit Ours Brun" (Little Brown Bear) or
"Les Malheurs de Sophie"?
How Watching French Cartoons Can Help With Your Language Skills
Watching French cartoons can be a highly effective and enjoyable way to enhance your language-learning journey. In fact, platforms such as Lingopie have built great resources around this concept to turn the language learning process into a more enjoyable and efficient experience for learners.
For French learners of all ages, especially younger kids, animated TV series and films offer engaging narratives and relatable characters that make learning French fun.
With French voice actors bringing the characters to life, viewers can immerse themselves in authentic conversational French while improving their listening comprehension. Additionally, French subtitles can aid in understanding new words and phrases, while the slow pace of many classic French cartoons allows for better retention and comprehension.
Whether you're a beginner or more advanced learner, streaming services often provide access to a variety of French cartoons and offer diverse range of vocabulary and themes related to daily life, friendship, and adventure.
There are, of course, also plenty of French TV shows for adults on Netflix to help you improve your language skills.
Although you will need to be a bit more fluent to be able to follow those without subtitles, this is another great way to practice your listening comprehension skills while also enjoying some quality entertainment.
FAQs: The Best French Cartoons to Learn French
In this section, we provide answers to common questions relating to the best French kids cartoons to learn French.
What is the famous French cartoon for kids?
One of the most famous French cartoons for kids is "Les Aventures de Tintin," featuring the intrepid reporter Tintin and his loyal dog Snowy as they embark on thrilling adventures around the world.
Are there any French cartoons on Netflix?
Yes, Netflix offers audio options for cartoons that include French, along with French subtitles, catering to beginners who want to immerse themselves in the language while enjoying their favorite shows.
Where can I watch French kids shows?
You can watch French kids shows on various platforms. Netflix is an excellent choice, offering a wide selection of French cartoons with audio and subtitle options.
Amazon Prime Video also provides a selection of French cartoons for kids.
For those seeking free options, YouTube hosts many user-generated channels with a diverse array of French cartoons available for streaming.
Summing Up: French Kids Cartoons to Learn French
So, as part of our French fun learning tips, we hope you were intrigued and inspired by this list of French kids' cartoons as a fun and effective way to learn the language.
Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your skills, watching cartoons and animated TV series offers engaging narratives, relatable characters, and accessible language content.
French teachers can make great use of such content to engage students in their French classes and help them improve their listening comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation while enjoying entertaining stories from French culture.
So, grab some popcorn, sit back, and start your French language journey with Lingopie. Sign up for a free trial today.
