A multitude of resources are available in all media for learning French, building vocabulary, practicing grammar, and improving comprehension, all while absorbing culture.
Lessons and Learning Tools
The LEAF Project (Language Access Educational Foundation)
Le Point du FLE More than 16,800 links to grammar lessons, systematically organized
Podcasts
Easy Languages Learn French in context through street interviews and conversations. Both videos and podcasts.
Inner French Hugo Cotton will convince you that you can understand French.
Learn French by Podcast Free podcast; inexpensive subscription to transcripts and lessons
News in Slow French A subscription service
Radio France Internationale Good podcasts, accessible from the ribbon at the top of the page.
Culture Websites
With livestreams and some access to archived programs.
Arte Some of its videos, podcasts, and documentaries are available in the United States. Select “French language.”
France 24 Offers current news broadcasts.
TV5Monde Some programs are accessible without a subscription to a streaming service. The “Langue française tab” provides access to games, videos, language lessons, dictées and learning tools.
Audiobooks
Audible A subscription service with a selection of audiobooks in French.
Foreign Language Collective A limited collection, classified by level (A1/A2, B1/B2)
Radio-Canada Listen to books for free
Films
French-language films are available on many streaming services. You can find summaries and tips at FrenchFlicks.
Telescope Film gives American audiences great access to international film and TV. Its Film and TV from France page offers popular films, new films, series, recommendations, “revolutionary moments in French cinema,” policiers, and more.
Television
Sling TV’s French Bouquet add-on package provides access to seven French-language channels: France 24, TV5Monde, TV5Monde Cinéma, TV5Monde Info, Style TV and two children’s channels, Tivi5 and BabyTV. Also TV5Monde Cinéma On Demand and TV5MondePlus.
Books and Magazines
Free to read online or to download.
Culturethèque Available free of charge to Alliance Française members. A digital library of thousands of books, magazines, graphic novels, and videos for adults, young adults, and children. See our article here.
La Bibliothèque électronique du Québec Offers more than 2,800 books in the public domain, including many classics. Books can be downloaded in several formats.
TV5Monde Click “Langue française” on the top menu. Offers a digital library with downloadable books in several formats, including pdf.
Bookstores
AbeBooks Used books online.
Alibris Used books online.
French Books Online An independent New Hampshire vendor online.
Librairie Albertine The online branch of a brick and mortar bookstore in New York City
Librairie Bertrand Offers a large selection in both French and English. Visit its brick and mortar store while you’re in Montreal.
Librairie Drawn & Quarterly Appears on many lists of must-visit sites. Visit its brick and mortar store while you’re in Montreal.
Schoenhof’s Foreign Books Online books
Thriftbooks A good source for gently used textbooks and learning materials
In Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Centre de Livres Usagés, 81 Rue Frontenac. Used books. Sales support the teaching of French to recent immigrants, especially those with little or no literacy, through the Porte Ouverte organization.
Charlie Bouquine, 172 Boulevard Saint-Joseph. Used books. No website. Be prepared to pay cash as the store may not accept U.S. credit or debit cards.
Librairie du Carrefour, 600 Rue Pierre-Caisse
Librairie Moderne, 1001 Boulevard du Séminaire Nord. Offers a large selection of new books.
In Montréal
Montréal is a veritable feast of bookstores, so we can mention only a few:
Librairie Bertrand, 430 Rue Saint-Pierre. Offers a large selection in both French and English. Visit its online store as well.
Librairie Drawn & Quarterly, 211 Rue Bernard Ouest. Appears on many lists of must-visit sites. Visit its online store as well.
Librairie Gallimard, 3700 Boulevard Saint-Laurent. One of the oldest and most conveniently located bookstores in Montreal.
Librairie Saint-Henri, 516 Rue Thérien
A chic, newer indie bookstore.