At least 40 percent of the music on private French radio stations must be of French origin.
That’s the measure decided by the French government to preserve French culture.
And that’s great news because it means you can listen to French radio knowing you’ll hear a fair share of French songs.
Whether you’re looking for great French music to listen to or would like to improve your listening skills, there is a French radio station for you, and this article will help you find it.
How to listen to French radio stations online
Most French radio stations have a website on which you can listen to them live but you may find it more practical to use one of the following apps to get access to a wider selection of stations.
- TuneIn to listen to most French and international radio stations.
- Radio France to listen to public French radio stations.
The best French Talk Radio stations
France Inter
If fast conversation and a mix of culture and news is what you’re looking for, France Inter is the French radio station for you.
Are you a bookworm? Listen to France Inter on Saturdays to hear authors and book shop owners from Swiss, Belgium, Canada and France discuss the latest books from their country in La Librairie Francophone.
France Culture
Slower-paced than France Inter, France Culture is a great way to improve your French listening skills and prepare for your next passionate debate in French.
Don’t think slower-paced means easier to understand, though!
With topics ranging from news and economy to philosophy, music, and art, France Culture requires an advanced vocabulary and clearly isn’t for beginners.
RTL
Mostly known for its live comedy shows like Les Grosses Têtes (a daily show dedicated to news and culture), RTL (formerly Radio Luxembourg) is also the perfect general-interest radio to catch up with news and hear the latest hits from France and abroad.
Rire et Chansons
Laughter and Songs, the name says it all.
With its regular comedy shows and constant joking around, Rire et Chansons is guaranteed to lighten your mood…provided you can understand the numerous cultural references and jokes.
BFM Business
On a more serious note…
Also a TV channel, BFM is all about business and economics.
This is the French radio station to listen to if you like to understand how the world economy works and enjoy hearing stories from entrepreneurs and economists.
Europe 1
Europe 1 helps you better understand what’s going on in France and in the world with debates about societal issues, a hint of politics and lots of interviews.
RMC
Fourth most popular radio station in France and main radio station of the Principality of Monaco, RMC focuses on general news and sport
The bestFrench news radio stations
RFI international
Mainly known among French learners for its journal en français facile, a daily 10-minute podcast explaining the news in easy French, RFI is also one of most listened to international radio stations in the world with 35,6 million listeners in 2008.
Broadcasted in French and 12 other languages, RFI covers economic, cultural and diplomatic events as well as current affairs.
Europe 2
Europe 2 covers news and events with live interviews and lots of music.
France Bleu
Divided into a network of 45 radio stations available in several French regions, departments, and cities, France Bleu offers local news.
ICi Radio-Canada Premiere
If Québec French is the variety of French you’re learning, ICi Radio Canada Premiere is the radio station for you.
Its daily 60-minute news program, l’heure du monde, covers the most important events of the day with a charming Québécois accent.
France Info
France Info was the first French news radio station to be created and remains one of the most popular in France.
Its fast-paced live coverage of news makes it an interesting yet challenging station to listen to as a French learner.
Sud Radio
Focused on local news from Montpelier to Nice, Sud Radio (South Radio) brings the sun of the South of France to its listeners.
The best French music radio stations
Nostalgie
A French learner once said that the best thing about Nostalgie is the ads, because they teach you lots of new words, and it’s true that you won’t learn much French on Nostalgie considering most of the songs they play are in English.
You’ll, however, rediscover the old-fashioned charm of the greatest hits from the 70’s and the 80’s.
Mouv’
Whether you’re a teenager or someone who would like to discover the life of French teenagers, Mov’ will make you vibrate with its mix of hip-hop and urban music.
Chante France
Chante France (Sing France) is your daily dose of chanson française and other French songs.
NRJ
After being almost suspended for a month in 1984 following a few issues with French authorities, NRJ is now the most popular private French radio station.
Its program? « Hit Music Only ! »
Fun Radio
R&B, dance music, electro, and house music make the bulk of what’s played on Fun Radio, another popular French radio station.
Skyrock
I remember listening to Skyrock for the first time as a teenager and thinking: finally, here is some music love.
I now hate most of the music Skyrock plays but you’ll love it if Rap, R&B and hip-hop are your cup of tea.
France Musique
If radio stations like Mouv’, NRJ and Skyrock feel a bit too young for your liking, France Musique may just be what you need.
Specializing in classical music and jazz, this French radio station broadcasts live concerts from l’Orchestre National de France and other well-known orchestras.
Chérie FM
With its focus on pop music, love songs and romantic hits, Chérie FM (Darling FM) is the radio station you listen to when you’re in love (or just had your heart broken by a gorgeous French man or woman).
Struggling to understand French radio? Give French Together a try and learn to understand everyday French!