Five Netflix TV shows to help improve your French

Learning a new language often conjures up the idea of sitting at a desk struggling over vocabulary and grammar - when in fact sitting down in front of Netflix could actually be your greatest tool.

Watching TV in French with French subtitles means you can continue to work on your language skills even when you are unwinding at the end of the day.

If you ask someone who speaks English as their second language, they will often quote a TV show with a cult following as their primary form of learning.

Fortunately, French Netflix is full of TV shows so good that even Brits with no interest in learning French are watching them dubbed or with English subtitles.

Read also: Why Netflix and YouTube can double as handy 24-hour French tutors

Here are some of the best French shows Netflix has to offer to help you improve your French.

1. Dix Pour Cent (Call My Agent)

Debuting in 2015, Dix Pour Cent quickly became a hit in both France and the UK, so much so that there are even plans to make a British version.

The comedy-drama series revolves around a Parisian talent agency and the employees who represent the stars.

Fictional stars on the agency’s books are often cameos played by some of France’s most famous actors (including Monica Bellucci, Juliette Binoche and Jean Reno).

With four series, there is plenty of content to binge as you watch the characters scoot around Paris on mopeds managing agency drama, demanding actors step up to the plate, and navigating their way through love and heartbreak.

2. Lupin

Lupin is another French series which has a popularity that transcends language barriers; it made it into the top 10 most-watched shows in the US in its first week.

A retelling of the classic French story of Arsène Lupin, the world-famous ‘gentleman thief’ and master of disguise, it follows Assane Diop as he seeks vengeance for his late father.

While Dix Pour Cent is light and easy watching, Lupin is a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

3. L’ Agence (The Parisian Agency)

This is Keeping Up With The Kardashians meets Location, Location, Location.

The K-surname is clearly a theme of reality TV, with the Kretz family and their luxury property business at the heart of the show which follows the four sons and their parents in both their professional and personal lives.

Read more: Learning French is easier when you don’t sweat the small stuff

As well as improving your French, this is a great way to see inside some of the most exclusive apartments in Paris and get to know the sometimes eccentric buyers in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

4. Plan Coeur (The Hook-Up Plan)

Plan Coeur is a rom-com that checks all of the boxes; it even features a scene based on Love Actually that mentions the British King of romantic comedy himself, Hugh Grant.

It follows a fairly standard romcom storyline - a woman approaching 30 who is trying to get over her ex - but with enough surprises to make it both funny and charming.

If you are a fan of sitcoms like Friends and Gavin and Stacey, this is the one for you.

5. On va s’aimer un peu, beaucoup (Family Business)

Like in BBC drama The Split, On va s’aimer un peu, beaucoup focuses on a mother-daughter led law firm which focuses mostly on family law

We get an insight into the private lives of the family as they navigate tricky personal and professional situations.

It also offers a glimpse into the legal landscape of France, helping viewers gain even deeper cultural knowledge when watching the show.

Have you watched any of these shows? Do you have others to recommend on Netflix or other streaming services? Let us know via news@connexionfrance.com

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