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There are a lot of French courses and resources out there including our very own. But nothing good in life is free, right?
Actually, there are lots of ways to learn and practice French without spending any money at all.
Let’s discover some totally free French courses and resources that you can start using now, whether you’re a beginner or a fluent speaker who wants to keep practicing and enjoying French.
Looking for tips to make the best of your study times? Here are 5 rules to follow to learn French fast.
Can you really learn French for free?
French Together offers a paid app focused on conversational French so it may surprise you to hear us say this, but the answer the question “Can you learn French for free?” is a resounding OUI.
When you use free resources to learn French, you’ll have to be a little more proactive than you would if everything was just bundled together like it would be with a paid app. But since no single language course alone will allow you to master a language, if you really want to get a handle on more subtle aspects of French, like culture, pop culture, history, everyday speech, and more, you’ll have to think about finding other resources, anyway.
As you’ll see by the end of this article, you can find most of these extras for free.
Let’s look at the many ways you can learn and practice French for free.
Free French courses and apps
You may be familiar with paid French courses and apps, but here are some French courses and apps that are 100% free.
Duolingo French
Probably the most famous free language learning app Duolingo makes language learning fun, with daily five-minute lessons.
It also notoriously calls you out for not keeping up with your course. Duo, the app’s owl mascot isn’t as evil as the exaggerated and hilarious meme about him would suggest but it is pretty cool that a free app can essentially replace a conscientious teacher or tutor when it comes to making sure you’re sticking to your French learning goals.
Still, Duolingo isn’t about following the rules. In fact, the app is also known for its frequently funny or strange practice sentences. These will definitely help you remember vocabulary and grammar.
Note from Benjamin: I’m personally not a fan of Duolingo because of its tendency to teach phrases that are more funny than useful but it has helped thousands of French learners stay motivated so it’s definitely worth a try. If you are curious to learn more, check out our Duolingo French review!
Learn a Language
This site offers courses and learning resources completely for free. It may look more serious than Duolingo, but language lessons include some pretty fun games.
Open Culture
Unlike the other apps and courses on this list, Open Culture is more like a directory.
You’ll find an alphabetical list of 48 languages (including French, of course), with links to free resources and learning programs for each. French resources include everything from links to apps like Duolingo, to Foreign Service courses that can help you learn (or review) French quickly, to French learning podcasts, lessons, and so much more.
Free French learning resources from French Together
French Together offers a French language learning app that comes with a 7-day free trial. But we’re also very proud to offer free resources to language learners.
The first one is the French Together blog, which features free French lessons that explain everything from grammar and vocabulary to history, cultural issues, and aspects of daily life in France.
Many of our articles also include information about and links to additional free French learning resources like…
…French songs you can listen to (and learn/practice with) for free
…free French and French learning podcasts
…numerous French fairy tales and short stories that you can read for free
…French movie recommendations, and ideas for how to watch them for free
…French cartoons you can (mostly) watch for free
…some free French dictionary apps
…videos by popular French YouTubers
…free YouTube videos for French learning (including videos by native French-speaking comedians for advanced speakers)
…French radio stations you can listen to online for free
….French and bilingual newspapers you can read online (many without a subscription)
…French TV channels you can watch for free online (by installing a VPN)
…several classic French books you can read online for free
…more French reading recommendations, including several that are free
Free Language exchange sites
Talking to a native speaker is one of the best ways to practice and improve your French.
Language exchange websites are an excellent way to do this. Conversations on these sites usually take place either via the site’s own platform, or on Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, etc.
A typical language exchange involves a certain number of minutes of conversation in French, and then a certain number of minutes in your native language (which your conversation partner is learning).
Some free language exchange sites have a paid option for additional things like courses or learning materials, but you should be able to talk to French native speakers at no cost.
Before you start using French conversation exchange websites, please remember to stay safe! Here’s a list, and here’s another, of other safety tips to keep in mind for online language exchange interactions. Not all of these tips are as obvious as you’d think.
Here’s a list of the most popular free language exchange websites, including our personal favorite:
Polyglot Club
Our favorite language exchange site, Polyglot Club has a lot to offer, including online conversation partners and real-life meet-up opportunities – and a very friendly vibe. You can chat via video or text.
Easy Language Exchange
This site lets you find language exchange partners, and also has a “Working Together” feature where users can post questions about things like translations and school assignments.
This sense of community makes Easy Language Exchange a comforting place, so it could be an excellent platform to use if you feel a bit shy about doing a language exchange.
Conversation Exchange
The name is simple and straightforward, and so is the bells-and-whistles-free website.
Conversation Exchange easily lets you find not only online conversation exchange partners, but pen pals as well.
The search option lets you find language exchange partners who speak the native language you want to learn, and who want to practice your native language. Additionally, you can specify which software you want to use to communicate.
Free French pen pal sites
Language exchange sites can help you improve your speaking and listening skills, but what about writing?
As I mentioned in the previous section, some language exchange websites offer a pen pal option. You can also find a French pen pal to communicate with for free on sites like Interpals.
Online pen pals usually exchange written messages via email or messages on a site’s platform, not through old-fashioned letters. But some sites do offer that option, as well. If you want to do a bona fide old school pen pal exchange, keep in mind that you’re giving your personal address to a stranger.
As with language exchange sites – or any time you’re interacting with a stranger online, for that matter – remember never to give out any of your personal information (full name, address, personal email, photos, etc.). In case you skipped to this section, here’s a list, and here’s another, of additional safety tips to keep in mind.
Free French chatbots
Let’s be clear: Using a chatbot alone won’t help you learn French. Even the best French chatbots still have bugs, and all of them have limits based on things like how they’re programmed or even how much users are allowed to interact with them per day. And most importantly, nothing can replace interacting with real, native French speakers so that you can learn how French is really spoken, and truly test your ability to communicate.
That said, French chatbots can be a fun way to practice French, as long as you’re using them alongside other French learning resources.
There are many paid French chatbots, including ones that are included in paid French learning apps. But you can also find some free French chatbots. Be aware that many of these will only allow you to use them for a limited time before cutting off, and of course not all of them are up to snuff when it comes to quality.
Here are two free French chatbots that we like.
Langua
Part of a language learning app that includes other features, the Langua chatbot is one of the best I’ve tried. Its role-plays are especially realistic and impressive. Unfortunately, its free version is limited to 15 messages although I have been told a more generous free trial will soon be available.
Jam
Jam isn’t your standard French chatbot. It lets users discuss featured news stories with its chatbot. It’s entirely in French and uses real French sources, which means it’s not for beginners or even lower intermediate students. But learners with a higher level of French might like using Jam to practice. Another way this chatbot is different from the others, though, is that it’s only available via Facebook Messenger. So if you don’t have Facebook and don’t want to create an account, you won’t be able to use Jam.
Free French TV stations you can watch from abroad
You’ll need a streaming service, VPN, or cable plan to watch most French TV stations from abroad. But here are three that you can watch for free from anywhere in the world.
France 24
France 24 is a TV channel specifically created for people living outside of France. Its mission is to cover world news from a French perspective.
BFM TV
BFM TV is a popular French TV channel dedicated to news and weather forecasts.
LCP
Want a deep dive into French politics? LCP (La Chaîne parlementaire) is a TV channel broadcasting activity from the National Assembly and Senate of France.
If none of these channels speak to you, or you just want more French TV, you can still get your French TV fix without a VPN, at least in small doses. Most French TV channels are on YouTube, where you can watch either entire programs or newscasts they feature, or clips, although not a live stream.
If there’s a particular French TV show you’d like to watch, you can search for it on YouTube as well. Many French shows, especially documentaries, are available there, regardless of where you live.
Other free French learning resources
There are lots of ways to watch, listen to, and read things in French for free.
In addition to the French Together’s lists of free French resources that I mentioned in a previous section of this article, here are some other ways to find these.
Free ways to listen to and watch things in French
YouTube
You can find countless French shows to watch on YouTube for free, including ones that are currently on French TV. My personal favorite is Secrets d’Histoire, a popular history show that explores the lives of famous historical figures from around the world. You can watch these episodes on the show’s official YouTube channel.
If history isn’t your thing, you can look up other French shows you might know. And if you like documentaries, doing a search for a subject you like (in French), plus the word “documentaire” will probably get you some good results. For example, “chatons documentaire”
DVD’s
Whether you have some DVD’s at home or you check them out from your local library, DVD’s can be a great way to practice French, even if the movie or show’s original version isn’t French. This is because many DVD’s will let you switch the language into French. So, go through that old collection of yours that you might not have watched for a while and see what free French practice you can find!
Free ways to read books, stories, and more in French
Good news, fellow rats de bibliothèque (bookworms (yes, the French expression for this is literally “library rats”)): Finding free things to read in French is incredibly easy nowadays, which is one of my favorite things about living in the 21st century. I remember when I was first learning French, back in the dawn of the internet. Getting my hands on a French book or finding a French periodical in the American suburbs was a major event for me. Nowadays, you can find free public domain French books and other documents on sites like Gallica, Wikisource, and Project Gutenberg. Your country’s version of Amazon probably also has free public domain books in French available to download onto your computer or mobile device, as well.
You can also, of course, easily access entire French websites, news feeds, Wikipedia articles, poems – just about any kind of reading material devoted to your interests – for free. What a time to be alive!
For more ways to watch, listen to, and read things in French for free, check out the links in the “Free French learning resources from French Together” section of this very article.
Free French learning materials from local sources
As you can see from this article, you can find tons of free French resources online. But there are other places you might be able to access them, as well.
You may be able to find free French resources in places like your local library, your school or university’s library, workplace classes or training programs, and community centers.
All of these are potential sources for free French learning materials and classes, so take advantage of any that you have access to!
Free French activities, virtual visits, and more
Here are a few unusual ways to practice French online for free, including games, activities, and virtual visits.
Virtual monument and museum visits in French
Many French museums and historical sites offer free online virtual visits. Set the language to French and practice your vocabulary and reading skills (not to mention learn a few new words along the way) while you explore. You can find a list of some museums and monuments offering virtual visits, or do an online search with the name of the place that interests you, followed by “visite virtuelle”.
If you can’t find a virtual visit of a particular place, try checking out alternatives like free documentaries, urbex, or other French-language videos that let you explore it, on sites like YouTube.
Free online French books, music, conferences, podcasts, and more, from the BNF (Bibliothèque nationale de France)
You can find a list of these free resources here.
Free games and children’s activities in French
Whether you want your kids to learn French, have to help them with their French homework, or you’re just a bit of a kid at heart, there are lots of free French resources for kids online. These include free games, mazes, coloring books, and crafts.
You’ll find these on many websites, as platforms like Pinterest. Even if activities aren’t particularly language-driven, their descriptions and instructions will be in French. And believe it or not, following step-by-step instructions on how to do something extremely specific is an amazing way to discover French vocabulary you may never have come across before!
Here’s one page full of links to different kids’ free activities in French. You can also do an online search for “activités gratuits pour enfants en ligne”. Of course, always make sure that a site is legit before downloading anything. You can usually check this by searching for a site or app name followed by “Trustpilot”.
Free French cinema-related content and resources from the Forum des Images
Cinephiles can enjoy interviews, masterclasses, conferences, and more via the Forum des Images’ official Dailymotion page.
Free online French audio stories for kids and families (and everyone else)
Just because something is ostensibly intended for kids doesn’t mean adults can’t get in on the fun, too! This is especially true when it comes to language learning. France Culture’s website features a selection of free French audio stories for youngsters and families – but whoever you are, why not give them a listen and train your ear (and have fun, too)?
Immerse yourself in the world of a famous French château
If you love history, gardens, and castles, the famous Château de Chambord’s website has free activities like imaginary French Renaissance landscaping, coloring, and mazes. The instructions and information can all be toggled to French at the top of the screen.
Speaking a foreign language is a priceless skill. But that doesn’t mean that learning it should be hors de prix (ridiculously expensive).
Now you know how to access countless hours of French learning and practice for free!
If you are looking for a different type of course, check out our conversational French app! It’s not free but it comes with a 7-day free trial.