Good to know

If you don't have the level yet to watch Netflix with French subtitles, I built a simple tool that adapts French subtitles to your level, words you don't know get translated directly inline, so you can learn vocabulary on the go, and feel like you're making progress every time you watch Netflix, no matter your level.

Perfect for Beginner/intermediate level (easy plot and vocab):

Astérix et Obélix : Le Combat des Chefs (Anime)

Astérix is a huge part of French culture, with many films and animated series over the years. This recent mini-series (5 episodes of about 30 minutes each) is really funny and easy to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it even as an adult native speaker. It's perfect because it's engaging for adults while being simple enough for beginner/intermediate level.

La Première Étoile (Movie)

A heartwarming family film about a father who promises to take his family on a ski vacation, even though he's never skied before and has limited resources. It's feel-good, straightforward, and perfect for beginners/intermediates because the plot is easy to follow and the dialogue is natural without being too complex.

Camping (Movie)

This comedy marked a whole generation in France and was a massive success. It follows different families reuniting at the same campsite every summer, with all the funny situations that arise. It has been such a success that there's been a Camping 2 and Camping 3 made, so if you enjoy the first one, you have more content to practice with.

3 movies my friends and I really like

Ce qui nous lie

In this movie, we follow a family of winemakers dealing with their father's passing and the future of their vineyard. What I love about this film is how it showcases the French countryside, the beautiful vineyard landscapes, and the deep traditions around wine culture in France. It's a refreshing change from Paris-centered films and gives you a real sense of rural French life. This could be a great entry point into the work of Klapisch (the director behind the movie). Many of his films are available on Netflix and I highly recommend all of them.

Je ne suis pas un homme facile

A light and entertaining comedy that's easy to watch with a smart concept: it flips gender roles, showing a world where women dominate and men are objectified. Set in Paris, it's a fun way to see the city from different angles while observing French social dynamics through this satirical lens. Many of my french friends watched it and loved it.

Le Chant du loup

An excellent thriller featuring well-known French actors like Omar Sy, François Civil, and Reda Kateb. The story takes place largely in a submarine and follows the French navy dealing with a potential nuclear threat. What makes this film particularly interesting is that it showcases a rare and fascinating military profession: the "oreille d'or" (golden ear), sonar operators who can identify submarines by sound alone. It's unusual to see this kind of role in military films, as it requires great sensitivity and precision rather than physical strength and "balls".

Great documentary

13 novembre : Fluctuat Nec Mergitur

This powerful documentary series (3 episodes) recounts the November 13, 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris through the testimonies of survivors, first responders, and political figures. It's a deeply moving and important piece to understand a tragic event that profoundly marked France and became a defining moment in recent French history. I remember being in high school when it happened, these attacks touched the entire country. The documentary gives voice to those who lived through it and helps understand the impact it had on French society.

Light-hearted shows, perfect for relaxing

Drôle

A series about the stand-up comedy scene in Paris, following four young comedians trying to make it in this competitive world. What makes it particularly interesting is the contrast between the characters, one comes from the suburbs, taking the train to gigs and juggling delivery jobs, while another comes from a privileged bourgeois background. The show is genuinely funny, well-filmed with beautiful Parisian locations. It's created by Fanny Herrero, who also made "Dix pour cent" (Call My Agent).

Plan Cœur

This is a feel-good show about a group of friends in their thirties navigating love and life in Paris. To be honest, I was worried it would be too girly, but I actually really enjoyed watching it. The three seasons (24 episodes total) are light, entertaining, and perfect when you want something uplifting. There is also “Lockdown” version that has been made next to covid, I didn’t watch it yet but it seems promising.

Other great shows

Le Monde de Demain

Set in the 1990s, this series explores the early days of French rap and hip-hop culture. It's an excellent way to understand an important part of modern French culture while hearing authentic slang and street language from that era.

Lupin

This popular thriller series showcases beautiful locations across Paris and France as it follows a gentleman thief inspired by the classic character Arsène Lupin. The cinematography is stunning, and the plot keeps you engaged.

Tapie

A biographical series about Bernard Tapie, one of France's most controversial businessmen and public figures. This show gives you insight into French business culture, politics, and society from the 1980s onwards.

Reality shows

Love is blind - France

The French version of the popular dating show. It's ideal for understanding romantic dynamics and relationships in French culture. The conversations are emotional and authentic, giving you exposure to how French people express feelings, argue, and connect with each other in real-life situations

The Circle France

The French version of the global reality show hit. Contestants live in isolated apartments and can only communicate through a social media platform. What makes the French version particularly interesting for learners is the intergenerational cast and the authentic use of French slang and expressions - you'll hear real everyday language that French people actually use. It's also a fascinating window into French social dynamics and culture, showing how French people interact, form alliances, and compete.

L’Agence : l’immobilier de luxe en famille

This reality show follows a Parisian luxury real estate agency run by a family. It's perfect for discovering stunning Parisian locations and getting a glimpse into the world of upper-class Parisians. Since it's reality TV, the conversations are spontaneous and natural, making it great practice for everyday French.

That’s it, hope it can help!

"faire la part des choses" translates to "to make a distinction between things" or "to take things into consideration." 

Breaking down the expression:
- "faire" means "to make" or "to do."
- "la part" means "the part" or "the share."
- "des choses" means "of things."

This expression is used to indicate the importance of evaluating situations, opinions, or facts separately to gain clarity or understanding. It suggests that one should recognize different elements of a situation without letting emotions or biases cloud judgment.

Examples of usage:

1. In a conflict, one might say, "Il faut faire la part des choses pour comprendre les deux points de vue." (We need to make a distinction to understand both viewpoints.)
2. When discussing a controversial topic, you might hear, "Pour avancer dans le débat, il est essentiel de faire la part des choses." (To move forward in the debate, it's essential to take things into consideration.)

PS: If you want to learn more idiomatic expressions, I actually built Bingy for that. When you watch Youtube or Netflix, you can click on any subtitle to instantly get an explanation of the expression, grammar, or slang.

Happy learning!

Feel free to try it out here

Happy learning!