Around the world, citizens of Earth are getting into the Christmas spirit, and France is no exception. However, France’s Christmas holiday culture is less prevalent than North America’s. For instance, French Christmas songs are less often played than those in North America (typically only during the week of the holiday). So, if you prefer Christmas carols in moderation, France might be a good holiday destination.
While many new French Christmas songs are released each year, France’s long Christmas tradition means that versions of traditional carols are the most popular and well-known songs you’ll hear during the holiday.
To give you a taste of what Christmas sounds like in France, our Remitly team created a list of twelve of the most popular French Christmas songs, along with a brief history of each one.
Make this playlist for this year’s Noël, and let’s allons-y!
10 French Christmas Songs
These classic carols will put you in a French holiday mood this season.
1. “Douce Nuit”
As with most carols on this list, “Douce Nuit” is a French version of an iconic Christmas song. In this case, it’s “Silent Night,” originally written in German. The French translation carries the same message as the English one, singing the praises of the newfound baby Jesus and wishing peace to all.
There are countless versions of this French Christmas song, including one particularly popular recording by Tino Rossi.
2. “Il est né, le divin Enfant”
“Il est né, le divin Enfant” translates to English as “He is born, the divine Child.” This is an original French carol with a long tradition. It was first published in 1862 and has been reimagined countless times. Its lyrics recount the birth of Jesus, the divine Child, and bless His humility.
There are several popular versions of the song, including a more traditional take by Tino Rossi, as well as a contemporary, rock-n-roll version by Annie Lennox.
3. “Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes”
If you’re familiar with the European tradition of Christmas carols, you’ll recognize this timeless tune as a French version of “Angels We Have Heard On High.” The French rendition, “Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes,” literally translates to English as “The Angels in Our Countryside.” Another account of the birth of Jesus, this song praises the angels who announced His arrival.
You’ll find many French versions of this carol performed by choirs and choruses, making it a particularly common song to hear during the season. Some of the more interesting alternative versions include a harmonica-driven, folk-inspired cover by Bruce Cockburn.
4. “Mon Beau Sapin”
“Mon Beau Sapin” is a French version of “O Tannenbaum,” known in English as “O Christmas Tree.”
Based on a traditional European folk song that had nothing to do with the holidays, “O Tannenbaum” became a modern-day Christmas carol in the mid-19th century when a German composer and teacher added Christmas-y lyrics. Unlike Christmas carols with a religious focus, “Mon Beau Sapin” is all about the beauty and joy of a fir Christmas tree.
This is a popular carol worldwide, and it comes in numerous languages and versions.
5. “Noël Blanc”
This is another widely recognizable carol, “White Christmas.” “Noël Blanc” is a nostalgic song about the beauty and excitement of a snowy Christmas.
While you’ll find many wonderful versions of the song in many languages, the French-language, swingy version by Montreal’s Ginette Reno is worth a listen. This song showcases her buttery-smooth vocals, backed by a lilting string orchestra.
6. “O Peuple Fidèle”
“O Peuple Fidèle” will sound very familiar to those who have heard the English version of this traditional religious carol, “O Come All Ye Faithful.” The lyrics ask all those who are faithful to come and see Jesus, recognizing him as their savior.
Though it’s common to find instrumental versions of this song without lyrics, you can also find recordings with vocals by choirs and solo artists. As our favorite, we chose a soaring, beautifully delivered version by the Emmanuel Music Choir from Boston, Massachusettes, U.S..
7. “Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle”
This is an original French Christmas song that first appeared in print in 1668. For over 300 years, French citizens have been singing and listening to “Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle,” or “Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” in English. This song is about the excitement of learning that Jesus has been born and preparing gifts to bring.
Musicians have recorded many beautiful versions of this traditional carol over the years, including some without lyrics—like Loreena McKennitt’s jiggy, folky, instrumental version.
There’s also a version with the lyrics performed by Chanticleer, a famous vocal group known as ‘an orchestra of voices.‘ These songs are traditionally performed by choirs. This version will take you back in time to a simpler place for Christmas.
8. “Vive le Vent”
We couldn’t make a list of French Christmas carols without including “Vive le Vent,” France’s version of one of the most popular Christmas carols of all time, “Jingle Bells.”
Although the French lyrics don’t share the English version’s exact narrative of a sleigh ride—vive le vent translates to “long live the wind” in English—the overall themes are the same: the joy, beauty, and fun of Christmas. The French song talks about Christmas trees, snowballs, candles, and the holiday meal.
One major difference between the English and the French version is that “Vive le Vent” references the new year with the line “bonne année grand mère,” which translates to “Happy New Year, Grandma.”
Of the countless French renditions of “Vive le Vent,” perhaps the most popular is the jazzy, conga-driven recording by noted jazz composer MIKA and Michel Legrand. That’s one of our favorites, along with a more pop-star version by Marie-Élaine Thibert, a singer based in Quebec, Canada.
9. “Petit Papa Noël”
Of the many Christmas songs sung in France, “Petit Papa Noël” is a favorite among French children. Its popularity might be that the song is sung from the perspective of a child hoping to receive gifts from Santa Claus on Christmas morning.
It was French singer Tino Rossi who made “Petit Papa Noël” famous. He released his recording of it in 1946, and the song returns to the French SNEP Singles Chart nearly every year during the month of December.
10. “Noël à Paris”
Another popular Christmas song from the 20th century, “Noël à Paris” is a romantic classic.
The lyrics describe a man reflecting on the beauty of Paris at Christmastime. He and his partner have traveled to the city alone, and he describes wanting to have a quiet, sweet night with her.
By the end of the song, he is working to convince her to skip attending a church service and stay at the hotel for dinner in front of the fire.
Charles Aznavour, a popular singer nicknamed French Sinatra, released the song in 1978.
11. “Minuit, Chrétien”
“O, Holy Night“ has become a favorite Christmas carol throughout the world, but many people don’t know that it comes from a poem that was originally French. Placide Cappeau penned it in 1843, and it opens with the line “Minuit, Chrétien, c’est l’heure solennelle“ In 1847, composer Adolphe Adam set the song to music and named his composition “Minuit, Chrétien.”
“Minuit, Chrétien” and its English translation describe seeing the Christ child asleep in the manger and speaks of the promise of salvation that his birth brings.
12. “Mon Plus Beau Noël”
Wrapping up this list is one of the most famous festive French songs recorded during the 21st century, “Mon Plus Beau Noël.“ Acclaimed French singer Johnny Hallyday released the song in December 2005, and it climbed all the way to number one on the charts in France.
Hallyday wrote “Mon Plus Beau Noël“ for his daughter Jade, and a photograph of them appeared on the cover of the single. The song describes the joy of watching a child enjoy the excitement and magic of Christmas, and the singer calls the little one “my most beautiful Christmas.“
This Christmas, Connect
Christmas in France is a time to relax, have fun, and spend time with those you love most. If you’re unable to be with your family in person this holiday season, there’s still a way to stay connected—through music. Add our French Christmas song list to your favorite music app, and share it with your carol-loving family and friends around the world.
Remitly’s international money transfer app is the safest, quickest, and most inexpensive way to reach out with the Christmas spirit this year. Try it for yourself in time for the holidays—download the app for free here.