You know it is soon going to be Christmas when you hear the carols playing on the radio and see the decorations go up. Whether you are in Paris in winter or elsewhere in the world, there is always a frisson of delight and anticipation when you hear your favorite tune on the radio, in the festive holiday season.
Joyeux Noël – Merry Christmas
French – English translation
But you don’t have to wait because I put together a list of popular French Christmas songs and music that will entertain. These delightful little ditties are those that French people, young and old, like to sing along to. Most of these Christmas carols are French versions of English classics, but with sufficiently different lyrics to still keep them interesting.
So without ado, here are 12 popular French Christmas songs that you are bound to love. Allons-y!
Note: if you have a Spotify account, log on to your account in a different tab on your internet browser, to hear the full song below.
1. Vive le Vent – Jingle Bells
Of course, we have to start this list with the classic “Jingle Bells“, the quintessential Christmas song in English and in French.
The French version, Vive le vent means “long live the wind”, and actually has completely different lyrics. Only the melody remains the same.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Sur le long chemin Tout blanc de neige blanche Un vieux monsieur s’avance Avec sa canne dans la main Et tout là-haut le vent Qui siffle dans les branches Lui souffle la romance Qu’il chantait petit enfant | On the long way All white snow white An old man comes forward With his cane in his hand And up there the wind Whistling in the branches He blows romance That he sang as a little child |
| (Refrain) Vive le vent Vive le vent Vive le vent d’hiver Qui s’en va sifflant soufflant Dans les grands sapins verts, Oh! Vive le temps Vive le temps Vive le temps d’hiver Boule de neige et jour de l’an Et bonne année grand-mère | (Refrain) Long live the wind Long live the wind Long live the winter wind Who goes whistling blowing In the big green trees, Oh! Long live the time Long live the time Long live winter time Snowball and New Year’s Day And happy new year grandma |
| Et le vieux monsieur Descend vers le village C’est l’heure où tout est sage Et l’ombre danse au coin du feu. Mais dans chaque maison Il flotte un air de fête Partout la table est prête Et l’on entend la même chanson. Oh! | And the old man Go down to the village This is the time when all are wise And the shadow dances by the fire. But in every house It floats a festive air Everywhere the table is ready And we hear the same song. Oh! |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Repeat 1st verse | Repeat 1st verse |
| Refrain x 2 | Refrain x 2 |
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2. Mon Beau Sapin – O Christmas tree
Sapin in French refers to corniferous evergreen trees like pine and fir, and more commonly Christmas trees. You will notice a lot of French Christmas carols referring to a sapin.
Mon Beau Sapin is the French version of the German classic “O Tannenbaum” or in English “O Christmas tree“.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| (Refrain) Mon beau sapin, Roi des forêts Que j’aime ta verdure. Quand par l’hiver Bois et guérêts Sont dépouillés De leurs attraits Mon beau sapin, Roi des forêts Tu gardes ta parure. | (Refrain) My Christmas Tree, King of the forests I love your greenery. When in winter Wood and lands Are stripped Of their attractions My Christmas Tree, King of the forests You keep your adornment. |
| Toi que Noël Planta chez nous Au saint anniversaire Joli sapin, Comme ils sont doux Et tes bonbons Et tes joujoux Toi que Noël Planta chez nous Tout brillant de lumière | You that Christmas Plant with us At the holy anniversary Pretty tree, How sweet they are And your candy And your toys You that Christmas Plant with us All shining with light |
| Mon beau sapin, Tes verts sommets Et leur fidèle ombrage De la foi qui ne ment jamais De la constance et de la paix | My Christmas Tree, Your green peaks And their faithful shade Faith that never lies Consistency and peace |
| Mon beau sapin, Tes verts sommets M’offrent la douce image. | My Christmas Tree, Your green peaks Give me the sweet picture. |
| Refrain | Refrain |
3. Danser autour du sapin vert – Dancing around the Christmas tree
Brenda Lee’s Rocking around the Christmas tree gets the French treatment in Danser autour du sapin vert.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Danser autour du vert sapin En se frappant dans les mains Danser autour du vert sapin Et chanter jusqu’au matin Lancer partout des serpentins En reprenant les refrains Et s’embrasser devant témoins Sous le gui ou dans les coins | Dance around the green fir Clapping your hands Dance around the green fir And sing until morning Throw streamers everywhere By taking up the choruses And kiss in front of witnesses Under the mistletoe or in the corners |
| Tu auras un certain petit frisson dans le dos En voyant le sapin décoré et rempli de cadeaux | You will have a certain little thrill in the back Seeing the decorated tree filled with gifts |
| Danser autour du vert sapin En se frappant dans les mains Et s’embrasser devant témoins Sous le gui ou dans les coins | Dance around the fir green Clapping your hands And kiss in front of witnesses Under the mistletoe or in the corners |
| Repeat | Repeat |
4. Petit Papa Noël – Little Father Christmas
An original French classic, Petit Papa Noël translates literally into “Little Father Christmas”. Written in 1944 by French singer Tino Rossi, this is probably the first French Christmas song that small children first start learning in maternelle (pre-school).
With easy lyrics and a sweet tune, it implores Santa to not forget the singer’s “little shoe”. This is because French tradition holds that children don’t get gifts in stockings but in their shoes.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| C’est la belle nuit de Noël La neige étend son manteau blanc Et les yeux levés vers le ciel, à genoux Les petits enfants Avant de fermer les paupières Font une dernière prière | It’s beautiful Christmas night The snow spreads its white coat And looking up to the sky, on my knees Small children Before you close your eyelids Make a final prayer |
| (Refrain) Petit Papa Noël Quand tu descendras du ciel Avec des jouets par milliers N’oublie pas mon petit soulier | (Refrain) Small Santa When you come down from the sky With toys by the thousands Don’t forget my little shoe |
| Mais, avant de partir Il faudra bien te couvrir Dehors, tu vas avoir si froid C’est un peu à cause de moi | But before leaving You will have to cover yourself well Outside, you’re gonna be so cold And it is a bit because of me |
| Il me tarde tant que le jour se lève Pour voir si tu m’as apporté Tous les beaux joujoux que je vois en rêve Et que je t’ai commandés | I look forward to it as day breaks To see if you brought me All the beautiful toys I see in my dreams And that I asked of you |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Le marchand de sable est passé Les enfants vont faire dodo Et tu vas pouvoir commencer Avec ta hotte sur le dos Au son des cloches des églises Ta distribution de surprises | The sandman has been by The kids are going to sleep And you will be able to start With your hood on your back To the sound of church bells Your distribution of surprises |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Mais, avant de partir Il faudra bien te couvrir Dehors, tu vas avoir si froid C’est un peu à cause de moi | But before leaving You will have to cover yourself well Outside, you’re gonna be so cold And it is a bit because of me |
| Et quand tu seras sur ton beau nuage Viens d’abord sur notre maison Je n’ai pas été tous les jours très sage Mais j’en demande pardon | And when you are on your beautiful cloud Come first to our house I was not very wise everyday But I beg your pardon |
| Refrain | Refrain |
The word dodo is French slang for sleep, and usually used only with children.
5. Douce Nuit, Sainte Nuit – Silent night, Holy night
One of the most beautiful Christmas carols is of course Silent Night. The French version of Silent Night, Holy Night is equally as sweet and soothing.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Douce nuit, sainte nuit! Dans les cieux! L’astre luit. Le mystère annoncé s’accomplit Cet enfant sur la paille endormi, C’est l’amour infini! x2 | Sweet night holy night! In the heavens! The star is shining. The announced mystery is fulfilled This sleeping child on straw, It’s infinite love! x2 |
| Paix à tous! Gloire au ciel! Gloire au sein maternel, Qui pour nous, en ce jour de Noël, Enfanta le Sauveur éternel, Qu’attendait Israël! x2 | Peace to all! Glory to heaven! Glory in the womb, Who for us, on this Christmas day, Bore the eternal Savior, What was Israel waiting for! x2 |
| Saint enfant, doux agneau! Qu’il est grand! Qu’il est beau! Entendez résonner les pipeaux Des bergers conduisant leurs troupeaux Vers son humble berceau! x4 | Holy child, sweet lamb! How tall he is! How handsome he is! Hear the piping Shepherds leading their flocks Towards his humble cradle! x4 |
6. C’est l’hiver – Let it snow
C’est l’hiver literally means “It is winter”, but the tune here is one that anglophones will know and love.
The light-hearted English classic “Let it snow” becomes more serious, with a more religious and somber tone in the French version.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Nous filons sur la neige blanche En ce beau jour de dimanche À travers les sapins verts C’est l’hiver! C’est l’hiver! C’est l’hiver! Les enfants de notre village Chantent la joie de leur âge Et les grands murmures de se taire C’est l’hiver! C’est l’hiver! C’est l’hiver! | We spin on the white snow On this beautiful Sunday day Through the green fir trees It’s winter! It’s winter! It’s winter! The children of our village Sing the joy of their age And the great murmurs of being silent It’s winter! It’s winter! It’s winter! |
| (Repeat x 3) Le bon Dieu dans son paradis Doit aussi chanter avec nous Car la nature est si jolie Le bleu de son ciel est si doux Oh! Filons sur la neige blanche En ce beau jour de dimanche À travers les sapins verts C’est l’hiver! C’est l’hiver! C’est l’hiver! | (Repeat x 3) The good Lord in his paradise Must also sing with us Because nature is so pretty The blue of her sky is so soft Oh! Let’s get on the white snow On this beautiful Sunday day Through the green fir trees It’s winter! It’s winter! It’s winter! |
| C’est l’hiver! C’est l’hiver! C’est l’hiver! x 2 | It’s winter! It’s winter! It’s winter! x2 |
7. Nous vous souhaitons un Joyeux Noël – We wish you a Merry Christmas
If there is one Christmas song that is facile to learn in French and in English, it is “We wish you a Merry Christmas.” Too easy.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| (Refrain) Nous vous souhaitons un joyeux Noël, Nous vous souhaitons un joyeux Noël, Nous vous souhaitons un joyeux Noël Et une bonne année. | (Refrain) We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas And a Good year. |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Noël, c’est Noël Noël, Joyeux Noël | Christmas, It is Christmas Christmas, Merry Christmas |
| Repeat | Repeat |
8. Père Noël arrive ce soir – Santa Claus is coming tonight
If you haven’t caught on by now, Père Noël is French for Father Christmas, and this French classic is about that oh so jolly Santa Claus is coming to town.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| (Refrain) J’ai vu dans la nuit passer un traîneau J’ai vu aussi ton grand ami Père Noël arrive ce soir Il allait vers toi dans la cheminée Il allait vers toi pour y déposer Des jouets dans ton bas de soie | (Refrain) I saw a sleigh pass in the night I also saw your great friend Santa Claus came tonight He was going towards you in the fireplace He was going towards you to drop Toys in your silk stocking |
| Et quand viendra le jour Tu te lèveras Et puis tour à tour Tu ouvriras tous les cadeaux que tu verras Tu vas t’amuser Tu vas rigoler Mais il ne faudra pas oublier D’être sage toute l’année | And when the day comes You will get up And then in turn You will open all the gifts you see You will have fun You will laugh But we must not forget To be wise all year round |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Et bien tu devras dormir Sans faire aucun soupir Même si t’en as pas envie Tu devras rester au lit | Well you will have to sleep Without sighing Even if you don’t want to You will have to stay in bed |
| J’ai dans la nuit passer un traîneau J’ai vu aussi ton grand ami Père Noël arrive ce soir Père Noël arrive ce soir | I saw a sleigh pass in the night I also saw your great friend Santa Claus is coming tonight Santa Claus is coming tonight |
9. Noël blanc – White Christmas
The melancholy “White Christmas” that became famous at the height of World War II, was reinterpreted in French as Noël Blanc. With a longing for those who have been lost, the song remains a classic.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Oh! quand j’entends chanter Noël J’aime revoir mes joies d’enfant Le sapin scintillant, la neige d’argent Noël mon beau rêve blanc | Oh! when i hear Christmas songs I like to review my childhood joys The sparkling fir, the silver snow Christmas my beautiful white dream |
| Oh! quand j’entends sonner au ciel L’heure où le bon vieillard descend Je revois tes yeux clairs, Maman Et je songe à d’autres Noëls blancs | Oh! when I hear the sky ring The hour when the good old man comes down I see your clear eyes again, Mom And I’m thinking of other white Christmases |
| Repeat | Repeat |
10. Le petit renne au nez rouge – The Little Red Nose Reindeer
The classic “Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer” has a French version, but with a lot more changes in tone and pitch. It starts off slow before launching into the traditional melody that we are used to in English.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Quand la neige recouvre la verte de Finlande, Et que les rennes traversent la lande, Le vent dans la nuit Au troupeau parle encore de lui. | When the snow covers the green of Finland, And let the reindeer cross the land, The wind at night The flock is still talking about him. |
| On l’appelait “Nez Rouge” Ah Comme il était mignon, Le petit renne au nez rouge, Rouge comme un lumignon. Son nez faisait rire Chacun s’en moquait beaucoup On allait jusqu’à dire Qu’il aimait boire un p’tit coup. | We called him “Red Nose” Ah how cute he was, The small reindeer with a red nose, Red like a candle. His nose made you laugh Everyone laughed a lot We went so far as to say That he liked to have a little drink. |
| Une fée qui l’entendit Pleurer dans le noir Pour le consoler lui dit: “Viens au Paradis, ce soir. Comme un ange Nez Rouge, Tu conduiras dans le ciel Avec ton petit nez rouge Le chariot du père Noël”. | A fairy who heard him Crying in the dark To console him said to him: “Come to Heaven tonight. Like a Red Nose angel, You will drive in the sky With your little red nose Santa Claus’s chariot “. |
| Quand ses frères le virent d’allure si leste Suivre très digne les routes célestes Devant ses ébats, Plus d’un renne resta baba. | When his brothers saw him looking so nimble Following very dignified the celestial roads In front of his frolic, More than one reindeer remained in awe. |
| On l’appelait “Nez Rouge” Ah comme il était mignon, Le p’tit renne au nez rouge, Rouge comme un lumignon. Maintenant qu’il entraîne Son char à travers les cieux, C’est lui le roi des rennes Et son nez fait des envieux. | We called him “Red Nose” Ah how cute he was, The little red-nosed reindeer, Red like a candle. Now that he trains His chariot across the heavens, He’s the reindeer king And his nose is envied. |
| Vous, fillettes et garçons, Pour la sainte nuit, Si vous savez vos leçons Dès que sonnera minuit. Ce petit point qui bouge Ainsi qu’une étoile au ciel, C’est le nez de Nez rouge Annonçant le père Noël. x3 | You, girls and boys, For the holy night, If you know your lessons As soon as midnight strikes. This little point that moves Like a star in the sky, It’s the nose of Red Nose Announcing Santa Claus. x3 |
11. Valse de Noël – Christmas waltz
The Valse de Noël, meaning “Christmas waltz” is a beautiful song from another time. With visions of lights, vin chaud, decorations, and whirling snow, you will fall in love with Christmas all over again.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| (Refrain) C’est la valse de Noël, qui tourne, tourne toujours Jolie valse de Noël, qui nous chante les beaux jours Rappelle-nous que ce soir, c’est fête dans tous les coeurs Nos rêves et nos espoirs, seront des jours de bonheur | (Refrain) It’s the Christmas waltz, which turns, always turns Pretty Christmas Waltz, who sings us on sunny days Remind us that tonight, it’s a celebration in all hearts Our dreams and hopes, will be happy days |
| Le sapin illuminé, jusqu’à I’aurore, jette son parfum si doux, Noël Les enfants qui crient joyeux, devant leurs beaux jouets, Noël, La neige qui tourbillonne et qui danse, dans l’air en retombant sur nous, Noël, Et les carillons joyeux résonnent tous en choeur, Noël | The illuminated tree, until dawn, casts its sweet scent, Christmas Children who cry joyfully, in front of their beautiful toys, Christmas, The snow whirling and dancing, in the air falling on us, Christmas, And the joyful chimes all ring in chorus, Christmas |
| Repeat | Repeat |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Seront des jours de bonheur | Will be happy days |
12. Au royaume bonhomme hiver – Walking in a winter wonderland
And you can’t end a list of the top French Christmas songs without Au royaume bonhomme hiver, otherwise known in English as “Walking in a winter wonderland”.
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| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Écoutez les clochettes Du joyeux temps des fêtes Annonçant la joie Dans chaque cœur qui bat Au royaume du bonhomme hiver | Hear the bells Of happy holiday days Announcing joy In every beating heart In the kingdom of winter snowman |
| Sous la neige qui tombe Le traîneau vagabonde Semant tout autour Des chansons d’amour Au royaume du bonhomme hiver | Under the falling snow The wandering sled Sowing all around Love songs In the kingdom of winter snowman |
| (Verse 3) Le voilà qui sourit sur la place Son chapeau, sa canne et son foulard Il semble nous dire d’un ton bonasse: “Ne voyez-vous donc pas qu’il est tard?” | (Verse 3) Here he is smiling in the square His hat, cane and scarf He seems to be telling us in a sweet tone: “Don’t you see that it is late?” |
| (Verse 4) Il dit vrai tout de même Près du feu, je t’emmène Allons nous chauffer dans l’intimité Au royaume du bonhomme hiver | (Verse 4) He is still telling the truth By the fire, I’m taking you Will we warm up in privacy In the kingdom of winter snowman |
| Repeat Verse 3 | Repeat Verse 3 |
| Repeat Verse 4 | Repeat Verse 4 |
| Allons nous chauffer dans l’intimité Au royaume du bonhomme hiver Allons nous chauffer dans l’intimité Au royaume du bonhomme hiver x3 | Will we warm up in privacy In the kingdom of winter snowman Will we warm up in privacy In the kingdom of winter snowman x3 |
Well, I hope everyone is feeling the festive spirit after all that! You can read more about French Christmas traditions and a typical Christmas dinner in France here. Joyeux Noël and à bientöt!
