Five films and TV shows to improve your French during the August grandes vacances

August is a month where France famously shuts down, with millions heading off on summer holidays.

This means some of your usual favourite spots may be closed – or depending on where you live - overwhelmed with tourists. 

If the heat outside becomes too much it can be a good opportunity to watch some French films and TV series and brush up on your language.

Watching TV and films is a perfect way to improve your language skills - it is a means of passive learning that does not require too much investment or focus but can yield strong results.

Listening can be one of the most difficult skills to work on, and it is often the one people find the most daunting when learning.

However, watching French TV in your free time can remove the fear of listening and will get you accustomed with how the language is structured and how it sounds when spoken at a usual pace by native speakers.

It can be easier to understand than a podcast, for example, because you have visual cues which can help you to derive the meaning of words and phrases.

Below are five films and shows recommended to watch this summer.

Soleil Noir 

New to Netflix this summer, Soleil Noir is a French thriller that revolves around Alba, a young single mother who is trying to flee her troubled past by working on a flower farm. 

However, the calm provided by her new setting does not last for long after Alba finds herself as the main suspect in the murder of her boss. Things only get worse when Alba discovers she is mysteriously named in his will. 

Set against the backdrop of Provence, and featuring many French stars of the moment, this six-episode series is great for improving both intimate and more formal language skills, with a dash of unique Provençal vocabulary.

Le Panache 

Available on Canal+, Le Panache is a heartwarming film about the positive impact a teacher can have on the life of a student.

When Colin starts at a new school, he is worried about how he will cope with the changing environment due to his stutter.

All changes when he meets French teacher Monsieur Devarseau, who encourages him to face his fears. 

Based on the play ‘Dans la Peau de Cyrano’, the film is heartwarming and feel-good.

Tour de France: Au coeur du peloton 

If watching the Tour has filled your days and you are now wondering what to do now that it has ended, fear not - the latest season of Le Tour series is available on Netflix.

The series follows the athletes as they tackle some of France’s most challenging climbs with snippets of breathtaking views, and behind-the-scenes footage from the dramatic races.

It offers a good insight into some lesser known spots in France, as well as the inner workings of the toughest race in the world. 

This series follows the 2024 Tour, which was historic for its unique end location. 

Due to the 2024 Olympics, the Tour, which usually finishes with the Champs Elysées sprint stage, finished with a time trial along the Cote d’Azur and into the centre of Nice. 

8 Rue de l'Humanité (Stuck Together)

Although we might not want to reminisce about lockdown, many recent media productions have been inspired by it, one of those being the film 8 Rue de l’Humanité. 

It is a comedy that explores how eight families living in one apartment block interact and deal with the Covid pandemic and all the restrictions it brought. 

While so many bad memories are associated with the pandemic, a key theme of the film is showing the power of connecting with your community and the people around you.

It was produced in November 2020 – meaning the cast and characters alike were unaware of the further restrictions to come – and is available to watch on Netflix. 

Jamel Comedy Club

Stand up comedy can be a great way to immerse yourself in French culture, with comedians making reference to historical moments, cultural insights, and using rapid-fire and colloquial language. 

It is also a good way to understand the famous second degré humour that is widespread in France. 

If comedy is something you enjoy in English – or you know of famous French comedians – Jamel’s Comedy Club on Canal+ will help you discover new French stand up acts. 

It is hosted by founder of the Parisian comedy club Jamel Debbouze, who invites emerging comedians to perform in front of a live audience in the capital.

Many of the comedians are from multicultural backgrounds, shining a spotlight on how diverse the French comedy scene is.