Let’s jump into a time machine and discover the most famous French songs of all time! I divided this ranking by decade. To be more precise, I classified the French titles chronologically, from the oldest to the most recent songs. 

The final selection of songs for the list was tough and it wasn’t easy for me to select la crème de la crème. So don’t get too upset if any of your favorites are missing…

Most of the popular French artists featured have made more than one hit. I’d suggest you check out their Spotify discography and listen to their other musical successes. 

I would claim that all French people are familiar with the songs on this list. These songs are undoubtedly an important part of French culture. C’est parti!

Best French songs before the 60s

Starting with a broader period of time, here are my top picks from before the 1960s. Not a decade of course, but these songs simply had to feature on the list.

#1 Félicie aussi – Fernandel

Released: 1939

Title translation: Félicie too

Fernandel started his career as a humoristic singer before working as an actor and movie director. This humorous song tells the story of a guy having a date with a woman. Throughout the song, he keeps comparing the environment with his date. For example “I had a lobster with tomato sauce. It had hair on its legs. Félicie too”. The humor is based on the comedy of repetition by saying “Félicie aussi” over and over.

#2 La mer – Charles Trenet 

Released in: 1946 

Title translation: The sea

La mer is a beautiful poem with simple words about the sea. Trenet had the inspiration in 1943 while traveling on a train between Montpellier and Perpignan (south coast of France). He was facing the landscape around the pond of Thau and it took him twenty minutes to write this masterpiece. An even crazier fun fact, he was only 18 years old when he wrote it.

#3 Douce France – Charles Trenet 

Released in: 1947

Title translation: Sweet France

This song by Charles Trenet and Léon Chauliac was written in 1943 when France was under German occupation. The singer evokes “cher pays de mon enfance” (dear country of my childhood) to support the French forced migrants, the war prisoners, and the workers from STO (le Service de Travail Obligatoire = Obligatory Work Service). Today, it’s still a super popular French song that the younger generation love to play on their Instagram stories, particularly remixes like the Aarno’s one.  

#4 La mauvaise réputation – Georges Brassens 

Released in: 1952

Title translation: The bad reputation

In “La mauvais réputation” Georges Brassens sings about a person that has a bad image in his village. The marginal character is an honest person, who minds his own business. The moral of the song is that society often disapproves when a person follows a different path and challenges the status quo.  

#5 Le petit cheval – Georges Brassens 

Released in: 1952

Title translation: The little horse

I love this cute song where the French singer is telling the story of a little white horse traveling through bad weather conditions. Sad spoiler alert, the little horse ends up struck by lightning and will not see the good weather at the end of the song. In reality, the little horse is an allegory to death. Many people have died too soon without having the chance to enjoy their lives to the fullest. So take note! Also, listen to the song “Les amoureux des bancs publics” describing lovers sitting on public benches.

#6 Ne me quitte pas – Jacque Brel

Released in: 1959

Title translation: Don’t leave me

“Ne me quitte pas” is a song about a breakup. This song was inspired by the personal life of the Belgian singer who was in love with a mistress named Suzanne Gabriello. Jacques Brel did not want to leave his wife and three children, so she decided to leave him.

#7 La valse à mille temps – Jacques Brel

Released in: 1959 

Title translation: The thousand-beat waltz

Another song from Jacques Brel will get you dancing slowly but surely. The song is characterized by the unofficial Brel’s crescendo with dramatic progression in writing and interpretation. This progression in the writing is accompanied by an acceleration of the tempo. The song starts with the mention of a four-beat waltz, then twenty, then a hundred, and finally a thousand beats.

Best French songs from the 60s

Probably the decade that saw the emergence of one of the most famous French singers of all time, Édith Piaf.

#8 Non, je ne regrette rien – Édith Piaf

Released in: 1960

Title translation: No, I don’t regret anything

Probably one of the reasons I started this blog. This is a famous French song in the USA. Somehow, it feels like time stopped in 1962 and since then, no other French artist has made such an impact. In this song, Piaf is simply saying that she has no regrets over how she lived her life, neither the good things nor the bad things. For the cinephile, this song is part of a notable French movie scene “Hate” (La Haine) where the French DJ CuteKiller does a mashup with “Sound of da Police” (from the American artist KRS-One).

Read also: Non, je ne regrette rien Lyrics Translated into English 

#9 C’était bien (Le petit bal perdu) – Bourvil 

Released in: 1961

Title translation: It was good (the little lost ball)

In this song, Bourvil describes a ball after the war where he can see cheerful people and, more precisely, two lovers. All throughout the song, the singer cannot remember the name of the place but he will forever remember this moment of joy. Bourvil is a French musician, humorist, and actor! He played with Louis de Funès in probably the most emblematic French movie “La Grande Vadrouille ” in 1966, a movie about the Second World War II.

#10 Oh la belle vie – Sacha Distel

Released in: 1962

Title translation: Oh the good life

I included this artist because we have the same first name (just kidding). Fun fact, this French Jazz song had an English adaptation with “The Good Life” by the American singer Tony Bennet in 1963. The song expresses the beauty of life which is made up of the simplest things. It is a simplistic perception that claims happiness can be acquired by everyone, far from complications and illusionary dreams. Nevertheless, when love comes into play, it complicates life and makes it difficult to maintain permanent happiness. Another excellent song from Sacha Distel is “Toute la pluie tombe sur moi”(1971).

#11 Le temps de l’amour – Françoise Hardy

Released in: 1962

Title translation: The time of love 

Even though this song seems a little a bit melancholic in the way it discusses youth and love, it is an ode to love, joy and adventure. I have to mention the excellent remix by the French band Bon Entendeur. They managed to make it more relaxing. Another song from Françoise Hardy that I enjoy is “Tous les garçons et les filles” (1962). The song describes loneliness in love. A person is observing all the couples on the street and wishes the same for herself.

#12 Les copains d’abord – Georges Brassens 

Released in: 1964

Title translation: The friend first

Les copains d’abord is probably an older version of the American expression “Bros before h#@%”. There is a word game with the title “Les copains d’abord” that can be heard as “Les copains à bord “(friends on board). Georges Brassens is comparing friendship to an unsinkable ship, with many marine metaphors.

#13 La montagne – Jean Ferrat

Released in: 1964

Title translation: The mountain

Probably a famous French song with a chorus that every single French person knows “ Pourtant que la montagne est belle” (=yet how beautiful the mountain is) but not everyone could recall the name of the artist. The French artist had the inspiration during a summer holiday in 1964 in the French county of Ardèche (a great location for canoeing). He ended up moving there permanently in 1973. This song, which might sound simple and poetic, is related to politics. France at that time was facing a rural exodus and many urban people had parents and grandparents from the French countryside. It also criticizes consumer society with “Et rentrer dans son HLM, manger du poulet aux hormones” (=and go back to your apartment block and eat hormone chicken).  Finally, I would recommend you listen to “Ma France” by this same artist.

#14 Love me please love me – Michel Polnareff 

Released in: 1966

A French artist that you could recognize instantly due to his long curly blond hair and white sunglasses. This is a beautiful song about a man asking to be loved. Michel Polnareff, released this song ( and also the song “La poupée qui fait non”) in the sixties, singing in a unique high-pitched voice (sometimes). This artist became a new icon of French pop during the cultural revolution. For once, the title and the chorus are in English.

#15 Comme d’habitude – Claude François

Released in: 1967

Title translation: As usual

English native speakers are probably already familiar with this song without knowing it. There were several adaptations in English. The first one was by Paul Anka and then another followed, the Frank Sinatra with “My way” in 1969. This song describes François’ monotonous daily routine but also highlights the loneliness of the individual. Why? Because the artist had a passionate relationship with a rising French singer France Gall that started in 1964. In 1967, when they separated for good, the artist decided to transcribe his feelings in songs.

#16 Emmenez-moi – Charles Aznavour

Released in: 1967

Title translation: Take me away

Charles Aznavour is a small man in size but has huge talent. Aznavour was a polyglot and spoke six languages; French, Italian, Spanish, English, Russian, and of course, Armenian (he belongs to the big Armenian community that emigrated to France). In this song, Aznavour shares the nostalgic desire of the narrator to leave for sunny countries to escape the misery of his daily life, as he claims: “It seems to me that misery would be less painful in the sun”.

#17 Initials B.B – Serge Gainsbourg 

Released in: 1968

One of my favorite songs from one of the most controversial and rebellious French artists. Serge Gainsbourg had a relationship with Brigitte Bardot, a sex symbol in France at that time. Unfortunately, their relationship eventually came to an end. Following the sentimental rupture, Gainsbourg wrote the song, Initials B.B, a tribute to the French actress/model. 

#18 Il est cinq heures, Paris s’éveille – Jacques Dutronc

Released in: 1968

Title translation: It is five o’clock, Paris wakes up

In a song full of joy, Jacques Dutronc describes the city of Paris waking up at five in the morning. He describes many workers starting or ending their shift of the day.

#19 Siffler sur la colline – Joe Dassin

Released in: 1968

Title translation: Whistle on the hill

“Siffler sur la colline” is a song that will make you want to sing along. This song is an adaptation of an Italian song “Uno tranquilo” (1967). The lyrics describe a naive man who is trying to have a date with a countryside woman. The woman asked him to whistle and wait for her at the top of the hill. Unfortunately, she never comes to meet him but the man stays positive and keeps whistling like a bird all alone. I would recommend a deep love song from this artist “Et si tu n’existais pas” (1975).

#20 La Bicyclette – Yves Montand

Released in: 1968

Title translation: The Bicycle

One of the most famous French songs from Yves Montand. The artist is describing a joyful bike trip in the French countryside with many male friends and Paulette, the postman’s daughter. All of them were in love with her and they spent their time biking on dirt paths and playing in the fields in nature.

#21 L’opportuniste – Jacques Dutronc 

Released in: 1968

Title translation: The opportunist

Not the most famous song from Jacques Dutronc but I like the lyrics. The song is describing a man that seizes every opportunity by “retourner sa veste” (by turning his jacket inside out). It is a French expression for people that change their opinion based on interests and not convictions. There are many other Famous French songs from Jacques Dutronc such as “Et moi, et moi, et moi” (1966), “J’aime les filles”(1967) and  “Les cactus” (1967).

#22 Comment te dire adieu – Françoise Hardy

Released in: 1968

Title translation: How to say goodbye  

This song was written by the famous Serge Gainsbourg but the love song is an adaptation of an American one “It Hurts to Say Goodbye”. Here, the writer was pretty smart by accentuating the sound “ex” at the end of most words. Indeed in French and in English, an “Ex” has the same meaning. Once a couple has split up, they begin to refer to each other as an “Ex”. 

#23 Les Champs-Elysées – Joe Dassin

Released in: 1969

Title translation: The Champs-Elysées

A song that a lot of non-French speakers already know. Here, Joe Dassin, an American-French singer, is singing a tribute to the most beautiful avenue in the world, “Les Champs-Elysées” in Paris. The song is an adaptation of “Waterloo Road” by the British band Jason Crest.

#24 Le métèque – Georges Moustaki

Released in: 1969

A “métèque” was a foreigner residing in Athens without the rights of a citizen during Greek antiquity. The singer was born in Egypt to Greek and Jewish parents. This song is about his life in Paris when he moved there after high school. Sadly, he was regularly being treated like a metèque. The song represents the attitudes of the time: 1968 was a period of questioning racism, xenophobia, and freedom. The singer had a lot of luck in life since his brother-in-law was Georges Brassens who pushed him to write. But, it was predominantly Edith Piaf that helped him to start his music career. His romantic relationship with her definitely had a big impact on his future.

Best French songs from the 70s

The decade that saw a cultural revolution in France and in the world. There is a kind of euphoria in most of the famous French songs of this period.

#25 San Francisco – Maxime Le Forestier 

Released in: 1972

The artist traveled in the seventies in California and lived in San Francisco. He had a life-changing experience by living in a Victorian-style house with a hippie community. After his trip, the French singer received a letter from the hosts with some drawings. Since his level of English was low, he preferred to send them a song in order to thank them for his time in the USA. The famous French song describes his life in the community in a poetic way. This house is real and still exists today. It had one particular detail, it was blue. 

For the 40th anniversary of Maxime Le Forestier’s career, his record company proposed to the owners of the house to paint blue again. They also added a plaque explaining the story behind the house and this famous French song. Many French tourists come to take pictures of themselves in front of the place and it’s possible that a lot of Americans don’t know the reason why. 

#26 Je suis venu te dire que je m’en vais – Serge Gainsbourg

Released in: 1973

Title translation: I came to tell you that I am leaving

At this time, the singer was with the British actress Jane Berkin. Together they had a baby, Charlotte Gainsbourg in 1971. Serge Gainsbourg had the inspiration for this song after a terrible heart attack that saw him hospitalized for a week. He decided to include the cry of Jane Berkin in the background to emphasize the sadness of the song.

#27 Paroles paroles – Dalida

Released in: 1973

Title translation: Words Words

In this song, Dalida, an Italian actress and singer did a feature with the famous French actor Alain Delon. In this song, a man is offering many gifts and compliments. In response, the woman rejects him by saying “Paroles paroles” ; those are only words and he won’t keep his promises to her.

#28 Maintenant je sais – Jean Gabin

Released in: 1974

Title translation: Now I know

One of my favorites from this list of famous French songs. It’s an adaptation of “But Now I Know” by Harry Philip Green. In this beautiful song, Jean Gabin, a French actor, describes his different visions of life at different ages. It’s a spoken monologue rather than a sung one, but in my opinion, it gives more importance to the words spoken. When he was a kid, he would always declare “Je sais je sais je sais” (I know, I know, I know). Then at eighteen years old, “that’s it, I know”. When he turned twenty-five years old, he knew everything about love, money, and life. When he became middle-aged, he learned something important that can be summarized in a few words “The day when someone loves you, the weather is beautiful”. He realized he spent all his life saying “I know” but at sixty years old he finally realized that he knows nothing about life, love, people, or friends and of this, he is sure. That’s a valuable lesson to learn! 

#29 Le Sud – Nino Ferrer 

Released in: 1975

Title translation: The South 

Another adaptation, this time from the American song “South” by Radiah Frye. The artist was influenced by American folk and country music when it came to deciding on the title. The artist lived in Italy for three years (he had Italian origins) before interpreting this song describing “the south”, probably the reason why he decided to accept this project. For the story, his record company wanted him to sing the song in English but the artist refused and finally sang it in French. The song became a classic on the French music scene with a million copies sold. Strangely, the more time that passed, the more the singer found this song mediocre. He hated to be considered a variety artist.

#30 Cette année-là – Claude François 

Released in: 1976

Title translation: In this year

Another joyful song from Claude François with “Cette année-là”. It is an adaptation from the band The Four Seasons “Oh What a Night”. In this famous French song, the artist describes the year 1962 and references some of his accomplishments: singing for the first time and being unknown to the French public audience. Claude François describes mostly important historic events. Fun fact, the song was sampled for another popular French song “Ces soirées-là” from Yannick in 2000.

#31 Ça plane pour moi – Plastic Bertrand

Released in: 1978

Title translation: It’s high for me

Fun fact, this song was supposed to be a parody that became a world hit. Everything started when the producer Lou Deprijck was watching a Belgian TV show about punk music, featuring a local band named Hubble Bubble and a journalist wearing a plastic bag named Bert Bertrand. Lou Deprijck decided to make a parody of a punk song and let the singer Roger Jouret take the pseudo: Plastic Bertrand. Another fun fact, in order not to waste time the producer recorded the original song with his voice and not the one from Roger Jouret. Later, the voice of Plastic Bertrand was added to the track.

#32 Le chanteur – Daniel Balavoine

Released in: 1978

Title translation: The singer

Daniel Balavoine was not famous when he released  “Le chanteur” in 1978. This song describes the story of an unknown singer becoming a rock star. In a way, he admitted that he would like to become a big star and he managed to do so thanks to this exact song! It became a big hit in France with 800,000 copies sold.

#33 Ma préférence – Julien Clerc 

Released in: 1978

Title translation: My preference

A beautiful French love song from Julien Clerc, “Ma préférence” is probably one of the biggest successes of this French singer. At that time, the young singer was in an unofficial relationship with the actress Miou-miou. The actress was the partner of Patrick Dewaere. The general public took a disapproving view of this secret relationship. It should be noted that Patrick Dewaere was a very talented actor and very appreciated by the French public since the release of the film “Les Valseuses” by Bertrand Blier. With “Ma préférence”, Julien Clerc claimed his love for the actress without naming her in the lyrics. This relationship was clearly an important one as they had a daughter together, named Jeanne.

#34 Fier et fou de vous – William Sheller

Released in: 1978

Title translation: Proud and crazy about you 

Fun fact, William Sheller was born in Paris to an American soldier and a French mother. This song describes a good guy who doesn’t understand much of what’s happening to him.

#35 Vous les femmes – Julio Iglesias 

Released in: 1979

Title translation: You women

Iconic French song from the famous Spanish singer Julio Iglesias. In this song, the singer declares his love for women. He compares men and women by doing a dichotomy between the sexes. Women are described as “charming, adorable angels” whereas men as “vulnerable, miserable”.

#36 Je l’aime à mourir – Francis Cabrel

Released in: 1979

Title translation: I love her to death

Here is another beautiful French love song by Francis Cabrel. This is the song that introduced him to the public in 1979. Maybe you can notice the accent from the southwest. The singer is from the city of Agen with Italian origins (grandson of Italian immigrants). The single sold 700,000 copies and was an unexpected success during the disco era.

Best French songs from the 80s

For this decade, I wrote an article about the top 10 best French songs from the 80s for dancing.  

#37 Couleur menthe à l’eau – Eddy Mitchell

Released in: 1980