Famous People
Topic specific French practice exercises
Some French speakers are famous just in their country, others are globally recognised. Meet and greet French celebrities, sports stars, artists, architects and more while practising and improving your language skills with these exercises.
- Actress Anne Dorval
Claire tells us about her favourite actress, French-Canadian Anne Dorval. - Beyoncé
The famous singer introduces herself. - Florence Foresti
Élodie tells us about Lyon-born, famous stand-up Florence Foresti. - Hello! I'm Mario!
The famous plumber introduces himself. - I, Louis XIV
The French king Louis XIV tells us about himself. - Juliette Binoche
The famous French actress tells us about herself. - Stromae
Belgian singer-songwriter Stromae introduces himself. (voiced by Kwiziq voice actor Geoffrey) - Didier Drogba, my favourite football [US:soccer] player
A father discusses his football [US:soccer] idol Didier Drogba with his daughter. - Do you have a favourite male singer?
Simone and Amélie are talking about their favourite French-speaking male singers. - Jean Paul Gaultier
Sylvie tells her friend about famous French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier. - Marie-Antoinette
Here's a quick biography of Marie-Antoinette, "last" queen of France (pre-French Revolution). - Mime Marceau
Xavier is a big fan of the world famous Strasbourg-born mime. - Napoleon, a Corsican emperor
Did you know that French emperor Napoleon was from Corsica? - Saïd Taghmaoui
Learn about this famous French-Moroccan-American actor. - The first woman astronomer
Edmée Chandon, first French female astronomist, tells us about herself. - Who am I?
A French author is introducing herself: will you guess who she is? - Who am I?
Guess who this important figure of the French Resistance is. - Who is this writer ?
Guess who this (male) French writer is! - Zidane
The most famous French footballer [US:soccer player] introduces himself. - Lettre à France - Michel Polnareff
Enjoy French singer Michel Polnareff's cult love "letter" to France, and sing along while practising your French listening comprehension. - Artist Chéri Chérin
Learn about the amazing Congolese artist Chéri Chérin. - Booking an appointment at the dentist's
Marc needs an urgent dentist appointment for a bad toothache. - Claude François, an essential singer
Véronique and Marilyne talk about French singer Claude François. - Dalida
Learn about Dalida, an iconic French-speaking singer. - Interview with a female player from the French national rugby team
Marc is interviewing Pauline Bourdon, a female rugby player from the French national team (voiced by an actor). - My idol Roger Federer
Philippe tells us why he admires the famous Swiss tennisman so much. - Queen Elizabeth II's death
Here's a French news announcement about the death of the long-reigning British Queen. - Simone Veil
Irène introduces this larger-than-life French magistrate and politician. - Simone Veil and abortion rights in France
Laura and Émilie discuss Simone Veil's legacy and her fight for French women's rights. - Surya Bonaly: an ice skating legend
Paul and Chloé talk about Surya Bonaly, an immense French ice skating figure. - C'est qui Coluche ?
Learn about French icon Coluche in this cute animated video. - Comme d'habitude - Claude François
Discover the lyrics of "Comme d'habitude", the original French version of Sinatra's "My Way", while practising your French listening comprehension. - Édith Piaf (Portraits français)
Learn about the great French artist Édith Piaf, while practising your French reading and listening skills. - France Gall, la groupie du pianiste
France Gall passed away in January 2018. Learn about this French singer with a unique voice in our bilingual article. - Laura Flessel (Athlètes Olympiques Français)
(Re)discover French trailblazing fencing champion Laura Flessel, while practising your B1 French listening and reading comprehension. - Les Fêtes Johanniques de Reims
Learn about Reims's historical celebration commemorating Charles VII's coronation, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension. - Lupin - Interview d'Omar Sy (Séries françaises)
Listen to the awesome French actor Omar Sy tell us how TV show "Lupin" came to be, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension. - Marie Curie
Listen to French kids talking about renowned scientist Marie Curie in this cute video, while practising your B1 French listening and reading comprehension. - Marie-José Pérec (Athlètes Olympiques Français)
(Re)discover the great French sprinter Marie-José Pérec in a short video, while practising your B1 French listening and reading comprehension. - Omar Sy - Interview Cinéma
French actor Omar Sy is known for a number of international hits, including Les Intouchables, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Jurassic World. In this interview, he talks (quickly!) about some of his favorite movies. - Qui sont-ils ? Les Frères Bogdanoff
Learn about France's most famous twins, while practising your French listening comprehension. - Teddy Riner (Athlètes Olympiques Français)
(Re)discover French athlete Teddy Riner, the greatest judoka in the world, while practising your B1 French listening and reading comprehension. - "Arab blues"
Discover this French-speaking comedy and its French-Tunisian director Manele Labidi. - Aïssa Maïga
Miriam tells us why she loves French actress and director Aïssa Maïga. - Barbara
Laëtitia talks about her passion for fascinating French singer Barbara. - Catherine Ségurane: a local heroine
Toni, a tourist guide from Nice talks about local legend Catherine Ségurane. - Christian Dior's New Look
TV fashion journalist Noémie is asking Henri Dubois, a fashion historian, why Christian Dior's New Look is so important. - Claire Nouvian, ocean defender
Anne and Guillaume talk about French green activist and journalist Claire Nouvian. - Emile Zola's works
Learn more about famous French writer Emile Zola. - Jules Verne and Nantes
Learn about famous French author Jules Verne and his hometown Nantes. - Laure Manaudou
Learn about the exceptional career of one of the best French swimmers of all time. - Louis XIV and the artists
Learn about Louis XIV's passion for the arts, which didn't come without an ambition to control his own image. - Louise Bourgeois
Marie-Claire tells us about her favourite French artist. - My mother's favourite singer
Patricia tells us about her mum's passion for French singer Serge Lama. - The Paul Bocuse Institute in Lyon
Marie's son dreams of studying at this world-renowned French cooking school. - The Ritz hotel in Paris
Learn about one of the most iconic hotels in Paris. - Thomas Pesquet
Learn about France's most famous astronaut. - Toussaint Louverture
Find out why this historical figure is important in Haiti. - 5 Artistes Noirs Francophones à (Re)découvrir
(Re)discover 5 amazing Francophone Black artists, while practising your B2 French listening and reading comprehension. - Basique - OrelSan
Practise your French rapping skills with OrelSan's "Basique". - Bruxelles je t'aime - Angèle
Celebrate the Belgian capital with Angèle's upbeat love song to Brussels, while practising your French listening comprehension. - Charles Aznavour s'éteint à 94 ans
Famed French-Armenian singer passed away in October 2018. Watch this video highlighting aspects of his talented career, then scroll down for the transcript in our bilingual reader. - Charles Perrault (Portraits français)
Learn about timeless French raconteur Charles Perrault, while practising your French reading and listening skills. - Claude Monet's "Water Lilies"
Learn about the story behind the unique way Claude Monet's Water Lilies are displayed, while practising your listening and reading comprehension. - Colette (Portraits français)
Learn about passionate French writer Colette, while practising your French reading and listening skills. - Décès de l'ancien président Jacques Chirac, l'animal politique
Former French president and mayor of Paris Jacques Chirac passed away on 26 September 2019. Learn about the legacy of this political animal in this video from France24. - Héritage de Johnny Hallyday
Despite being French, Johnny Hallyday wrote his will in the United States, which allowed him to disinherit his children. Find out how they're challenging the will and whether they have a case in this video. - Jean de La Fontaine (Portraits français)
Learn about French poet Jean de La Fontaine, while practising your French reading and listening skills. - Johnny Hallyday : 1943-2017
Watch this hommage to Johnny Hallyday, a French rock and roll legend who died in December 2017. - Joséphine Baker au Panthéon
Learn about the decision to welcome Josephine Baker into the French Panthéon, while practising your French listening and reading comprehension. - L'Appel du 18 Juin 1940
The Appeal of 18 June is considered the origin of the French Resistance during World War II. Learn how it came about in this French video with transcript and translation. - La Bohème - Charles Aznavour
Travel to the old Montmartre with this classic song by Charles Aznavour, "La Bohème", while practising your French listening comprehension. - La Naissance du Mouvement de la "Négritude"
Learn about the groundbreaking concept of "Négritude" as developed by French-speaking writer Aimé Césaire, while practising your French B2 listening and reading skills. - Qui est-il ? Le mime Marceau
Learn about the life and many achievements of world-famous French mime Marceau, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension. - Réalisatrices françaises
In honour of International Women's Day on 8th March, we're celebrating and highlighting the top 5 female film directors in the world of Francophone cinema. - Sans toi - Pomme
Sing along with French singer Pomme's pop folk song "Sans toi", while practising your French listening and reading comprehension. - Une Conversation Amicale autour de l'Art : Claude Monet vs JR
Follow two friends discussing their favourite French artists Monet and JR, while practising your B2 French reading and listening comprehension. - "Les Fleurs du Mal"
Learn about French poet Baudelaire's conception of beauty and poetry. - Actor Omar Sy
Mathilde and her friend Fleur talk about French actor Omar Sy and his series "Lupin". - Amel Bent and Camélia Jordana
Aurélie tells us about these amazing French singers of Algerian descent. - Balzac or Zola ?
Guillaume and Clara are discussing which, of Balzac and Zola, is their favourite French author. - Claude Nougaro and Toulouse
Learn about the Toulouse-born singer and his deep connection to the Pink City. - Coco Chanel
Learn about this extraordinary woman who became a fashion icon. - Coluche, French people's favourite
The French comedian is still much loved in France, 30 years after his death. - Édith Piaf
Here's a short biography of one of France's most beloved singers. - French director Ladj Ly and "Les Misérables".
French director Ladj Ly on his film "Les Misérables". - Gustave Eiffel's little-known constructions
Podcast host Patricia is chatting with Amandine, an historian, about Gustave Eiffel's less known French constructions. - Icons of French tennis
Marc and Aline are chatting about the most memorable French tennis players. - Jean-Marc Vallée
Nathan and Florence discuss the late Quebecois director Jean-Marc Vallée. - Joan of Arc and Orléans
Find out about Joan of Arc and her connection to the French city of Orléans. - Johnny Hallyday, a French icon
Paul and his mum talk about her favourite French singer, Johnny Hallyday. - Léopold Sédar Senghor
Fatima tells us about one of the greatest Francophone writers. - Navigator Florence Arthaud
Learn about the extraordinary French sailor Florence Arthaud. - Paul Verlaine's "My familiar dream"
Here's one of Paul Verlaine's most famous poems, where he reminisces about dreaming about a perfect woman. - Proust's madeleine
Learn the origin of this popular French expression. - Rimbaud's poem "Voyelles"
Learn about one of Rimbaud's most famous poems. - The Abbey of Fontevraud: a Royal affair
Eleanor of Aquitaine answers a few questions about the Abbey of Fontevraud. - The feminist revolutionary Olympe de Gouges
Bastien tells us about this extraordinary humanist writer from 18th century France. - Yves Saint-Laurent
Thibault and his friend Sonia talk about French designer Yves Saint-Laurent. - Chez Victor Hugo à Guernesey
Discover Victor Hugo's amazing mansion Hauteville House on the island of Guernsey, while practising your French reading and listening comprehension. - Coco Chanel (Portraits français)
Learn about the iconic French haute couture designer Coco Chanel, while practising your C1 French listening and reading comprehension. - Henri Matisse au Centre Pompidou
Enjoy a fascinating retrospective on French painter Henri Matisse at the Pompidou Center in Paris, while practising your French listening comprehension. - Jeanne d'Arc (Portraits français)
Learn about Joan of Arc - Jeanne d'Arc - while practising your listening and reading comprehension. - Valéry Giscard d'Estaing - Une rétrospective en images
Former French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing died of Covid-19 on 2 December, 2020, at the age of 94. Take a look back at his life and career in this video from Le Monde. - Victor Hugo (Portraits français)
Learn more about famous author Victor Hugo, while practising your listening and reading comprehension. - La Vie En Rose - Édith Piaf (Le Présent + Vocabulaire)
Practise your French conjugations in Le Présent (Indicatif) and some French A1 vocabulary with this Fill-in-the-Blanks kwiz exercise
- Nos humoristes françaises préférées (Subject Pronouns)
Practise French Pronom sujet with this Fill-in-the-Blanks exercise
- Peindre comme Cézanne (Vocabulaire)
Practise your Painting vocabulary in French with this Fill-in-the-Blanks kwiz!
- Au Musée du quai Branly (Vocabulaire)
Practise your Museum vocabulary in French with this Fill-in-the-Blanks kwiz!
