With French being the language of love, you can bet there are some beautiful French love songs declaring “Je t’aime“ in style. With its many legendary composers and musicians, here are the best romantic French songs with lyrics that are sure to make your heart go pitter-patter.
Chansons d’amour
English Translation: Love Song
I first heard many of these sweet and slow love songs after moving to France, (and meeting, dating, and marrying my own Frenchie.) I fell in love then, and I hope you will too.
So put on your headphones and imagine yourself in Paris, with some of the best French romantic ballads and love songs that have become classics.
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. Jacques Brel – Ne me quitte pas
Jacques Brel’s classic hit “Ne me quitte pas”, tops just about every best songs list in France. And that is pretty tough to do, considering how many top hits and romantic ballads Brel produced.
Ne me quitte pas, meaning “don’ leave me”, Brel asks to forget the past and move on to the land he will create where “she will be Queen, and love will be the law”.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Ne me quitte pas Il faut oublier Tout peut s’oublier Qui s’enfuit déjà Oublier le temps Des malentendus Et le temps perdu | Do not leave me You must forget everything can be forgotten That already fled Forget time Misunderstandings And lost time |
2. Carla Bruni – Quelqu’un m’a dit
Carla Bruni may have been better known as a model, but she definitely brings the chops as a top female singer to be reckoned with. She released this single several years before she would become First Lady of France, as wife of French ex-President Nicholas Sarkozy.
This soft ballad about lost love in this song that spent over 34 weeks in the top 10.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Pourtant quelqu’un m’a dit Que tu m’aimais encore C’est quelqu’un qui m’a dit Que tu m’aimais encore Serait-ce possible alors? | However, someone told me That you still loved me It was someone who told me that you still love me So could it be possible? |
☞ READ MORE: 24 French Love Quotes to make your heart flutter (with English Translation)
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3. Johnny Hallyday – Je te promets
French Rocker Johnny Hallyday may have put out more hard rock hits like the massive Allumer le feu, but he shows his romantic side in “Je te promets” meaning “I promise you”. A beautiful song for Valentine’s day.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Je te promets la clé des secrets de mon âme Je te promets la vie de mes rires à mes larmes Je te promets le feu à la place des armes Plus jamais des adieux rien que des au-revoir | I promise you the key to the secrets of my soul I promise you my life from laughter to tears I promise you fire instead of weapons No more goodbyes just “see you later” |
☞ READ MORE: 15 French Musicians you need on your playlist
4. Roméo et Juliette – Aimer
It is only appropriate that a duo with a stage name Romeo and Juliette put out a hit called “Aimer”, meaning “to love” in French.
I admit, I don’t love the song itself, but the poetry of its verses are beautiful.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Aimer C’est ce qu’il y a de plus beau Aimer C’est monter si haut Et toucher les ailes des oiseaux Aimer C’est ce qu’il y a de plus beau | To Love This is what is most beautiful To love It is going up so high to touch the wings of the birds To Love This is what is most beautiful |
5. Lara Fabian – Je t’aime
If there ever was a French love power ballad, it is Lara Fabian’s Je t’aime, meaning “I love you”. Fabian holds nothing back making her declaration with:
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Je t’aime, je t’aime Comme un fou, comme un soldat Comme une star de cinéma Je t’aime, je t’aime Comme un loup, comme un roi Comme un homme que je ne suis pas Tu vois, je t’aime comme ça | I love you, I love you Like a crazy person, like a soldier Like a movie star I love you, I love you Like a wolf, like a king Like a man that I’m not You see, I love you like this |
6. Loane – Aimé
Soft and sensual, Loane leaves it all out there in this lovely little tune:
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Je voudrais que tu y viennes Que tu me prennes Ce qu’il y’a de plus beau De mes yeux ont coulé Des envies d’être aimée de toi Si tu pouvais tout me dire Car rien n’est pire que de cacher les maux De ma bouche j’ai dit Ces envies d’être aimée de toi | I would like you to come That you take me That which is most beautiful From my eyes which are watering The need to be loved by you If you could tell me everything Cause nothing is worse than hiding the bad stuff From my mouth I said The need to be loved by you |
7. Céline Dion – Pour que tu m’aimes encore
French Canadian legend Celine Dion didn’t rerecord Titanic’s “My heart will go on” in French, but we still have “Pour que tu m’aimes encore“. Her delicate voice powers through this ballad in the style that we love her so much for.
There is no holding back in this song, where she wholeheartedly declares her love and proclaims to go to the ends of the earth “so that you will still love me”.
☞ READ MORE: French Views on love & love-making: 7 Interesting Differences
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Il faut que tu saches J’irai chercher ton cœur si tu l’emportes ailleurs Même si dans tes danses, d’autres dansent tes heures J’irai chercher ton âme dans les froids dans les flammes Je te jetterai des sorts pour que tu m’aimes encore | You have to know I’ll go look for your heart if you take it elsewhere Even if in your dance, others dance with you for hours I will seek your soul in the cold in the flames I’ll cast spells on you to make you love me again |
8. Zaz – Je veux
French singer Zaz talks about true love in this next song, and is not willing to put a price on happiness:
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Donnez-moi une suite au Ritz, je n’en veux pas! Des bijoux de chez Chanel, je n’en veux pas! Donnez-moi une limousine, j’en ferais quoi? | Give me a suite at the Ritz, I don’t want one! Jewelry from Chanel, I don’t want any! Give me a limo, what will I do with it? |
| Offrez-moi du personnel, j’en ferais quoi? Un manoir à Neuchâtel, ce n’est pas pour moi. Offrez-moi la Tour Eiffel, j’en ferais quoi? | Offer me staff, what will I do with them? A manor house in Neuchâtel is not for me. Give me the Eiffel Tower, what will I do with it? |
| Je veux d’l’amour, d’la joie, de la bonne humeur, C’n’est pas votre argent qui f’ra mon bonheur, Moi j’veux crever la main sur le cœur. | I want love, joy, good humor, It’s not your money that will make me happy, I want to put my hand on my heart. |
☞ READ MORE: 21 French Pick-Up Lines that will make you giggle
9. Patrick Bruel – J’te l’dis quand même
Actor, singer, and male heartthrob Patrick Bruel is one of those singers you can listen to all afternoon long, on a rainy day, with his album on repeat. In “J’te l’dis quand même“, meaning “I’m telling you anyway”, he makes a soft and heartfelt declaration of love.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| J’voulais quand même te dire Merci Pour tout le mal qu’on s’est Pas dit Certains rigolent déjà J’m’en fous, j’les aimais pas On avait l’air trop bien Y en a qui supportent pas | I still wanted to tell you Thank you For all the trouble we got into, not saying, Some are already laughing I don’t care, I didn’t like them We looked too good There are some who can’t stand |
| Mais j’trouve pas d’refrain à notre histoire Tous les mots qui m’viennent sont dérisoires J’sais bien que j’t’l’ai trop dit Mais j’te l’dis quand même Je t’aime | But I do not find a refrain on our history All the words that come are derisory I know that I told you too much But I’m telling you anyway I love you |
10. Barbara – Ma Plus Belle Histoire d’Amour
Monique Andrée Serf, better known by her stage name Barbara, sings about her most beautiful love story without restraint.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| C’était déjà votre image C’était vous déjà et le cœur nu Je refaisais mes bagages Et poursuivais mon mirage Ma plus belle histoire d’amour, c’est vous | It was already your image It was you already and a bare heart I pack my bags And pursued my mirage My most beautiful love story is you |
11. Camélia Jordana – Non Non Non
Camélia Jordana doesn’t want to move on from a broken heart in the song “Non Non Non Non“, preferring to sit at home and listen to sad love songs from Barbara and hope he will return…
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Non, non, non, non Je ne veux pas prendre l’air Non, non, non, non Je ne veux pas boire un verre Non, non, non, non Je ne veux pas l’oublier Non, non, non, non Je ne veux pas m’en passer J’veux juste aller mal et y’a pas de mal à ça Traîner, manger que dalle Écouter Barbara Peut-être il reviendra | No no no no I don’t want to take the air No no no no I don’t want a drink No no no no I don’t want to forget him No no no no I don’t want to do without it I just want to go bad and there’s no harm in that Hang out, eat nothing Listen to Barbara Maybe he will come back |
It is a very catchy tune however, despite the dispirited lyrics.
12. Vanessa Paradis – Le Tourbillon
Le Tourbillon, meaning the “Whirlwind”, is a song written made famous by the film Jules et Jim in 1962, where it is sung by actress Jeanne Moreau. The song was composed by writer Serge Rezvani, who had originally only intended it to be sung among their circle of friends at dinner parties.
Since the film, the song has been sung by several artists including the multi-talented Vanessa Paradis (who perhaps is better known for being the ex of a certain Johnny Depp).
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| On s’est connu, on s’est reconnu On s’est perdu de vue, on s’est reperdu de vue On s’est retrouvé, on s’est réchauffé Puis on s’est séparé Chacun pour soi est reparti Dans le tourbillon de la vie Je l’ai revue un soir, aïe, aïe, aïe Ça fait déjà un fameux bail Ça fait déjà un fameux bail | We knew each other, we recognized each other We lost sight of each other, we lost sight of each other We found each other, we warmed up Then we broke up Each for himself is gone In the whirlwind of life I saw him again one evening, aie, aie, aie, It’s already been a long time It’s already been a long time |
13. Gaëtan Roussel – Dis-moi encore que tu m’aimes
Singer-songwriter (and sometimes lead singer of the band Louise Attaque) Gaëtan Roussel lets us imagine walking and giggling in the streets of Paris, madly in love. What could be better?
☞ READ MORE: 21 Romantic Things to do in Paris for couples
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Le soleil effleure les persiennes Les pluies vont être diluviennes Sens-tu le parfum que le vent ramène? Dis-moi encore que tu m’aimes | The sun brushes against the shutters The rains will be torrential Do you smell the scent that the wind brings back? Tell me again that you love me |
14. Vianney – Moi aimer toi
Another song that will easily put a smile on your face and make you fall in love is Vianney’s “Moi aimer toi“.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Sur mon coussin, comme un dessin Comme une tâche C’est ton mascara qui déteint Quand on se fâche Pour un café un peu mal fait Une bricole Quand on se bat, moi je voudrais Qu’on en rigole | On my cushion, like a drawing Like a stain It’s your mascara that rubs off When we get angry For a coffee a little badly made A repair When we fight, I would like that we laugh |
| Si moi aimer toi, blesser moi Si moi aimer toi Quand moi aimer toi, blesser moi Quand moi aimer toi Si moi aimer toi, blesser moi Si moi aimer toi Quand moi aimer toi, moi blesser Moi | If I love you, hurt me If I love you When I love you, hurt me When i love you If I love you, hurt me If I love you When I love you, hurt me Me |
☞ READ MORE: French terms of endearment: 92+ Crazy & Romantic Nicknames
15. Renan Luce – Appelle quand tu te réveilles
Singer Renan Luce begs for forgiveness and to be taken back in this upbeat yet sad French love song.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Du coup j’me sens un peu con Roméo de pacotille Quand je vois à ton balcon Une lumière qui scintille | So I feel a little stupid Romeo of the junk pile When I see on your balcony A light that sparkles |
| J’t’imagine, t’écoutes sûrement Ma voix au téléphone Te dire que j’m’en veux tellement Appelle quand tu m’pardonnes | I imagine you are surely listening My voice on the phone To tell you that I blame myself so much Call when you forgive me |
16. Patrick Bruel – Rue Mouffetard
The famous Rue Mouffetard in the 5th arrondissement of Paris makes an appearance in this tune. This pedestrianized shopping street with its tiny boutiques and cobblestone streets is in the heart of one of the oldest parts of Paris.
So you can just imagine flâner (meaning wandering aimlessly) down the street, arm in arm, enjoying your lover’s company. You can read and listen to more songs about Paris here.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| J’n’aime pas qu’on n’aime pas en parler Même moi j’ai même pas tenté J’n’aime pas qu’on n’aime pas y penser A notre histoire Rue Mouffetard | I don’t like that we don’t like to talk about it Even I didn’t even try I don’t like that we don’t like to think about it To our story Rue Mouffetard |
17. Françoise Hardy – Tous les garçons et les filles
Françoise Hardy was just 16 when she sang this song in the 1960s about the loneliness of looking for love. She went on to have a long and prolific career on the music charts and on screen.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Tous les garçons et les filles de mon âge Se promènent dans la rue deux par deux Tous les garçons et les filles de mon âge Savent bien ce que c’est qu’être heureux | All the boys and girls my age Walk down the street two by two All the boys and girls my age Know well what it is to be happy |
| Et les yeux dans les yeux Et la main dans la main Ils s’en vont amoureux Sans peur du lendemain | And eye to eye And hand in hand They go in love Without fear of tomorrow |
| Oui, mais moi, je vais seule Par les rues, l’âme en peine Oui, mais moi, je vais seule Car personne ne m’aime | Yes, but me, I’m going alone Through the streets, the soul in pain Yes, but me, I’m going alone Cause nobody loves me |
18. Jean-Louis Aubert – Voilà ce sera toi
Jean-Louis Aubert exuberates about being in love in this sweet French love song.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| J’ai toujours eu confiance, Je n’ai pas renoncé Bien avant ta présence, Tu m’étais annoncée. | I have always trusted, I did not give up Long before your presence, You were announced to me. |
| Voilà, ce sera toi, Ma présence effective, Je serai dans la joie De ta peau non fictive | There it will be you My effective presence, I will be in joy Of your non-fictitious skin |
19. Renaud – Mistral Gagnant
Renaud’s Mistral Gagnant is a song that gets better every time you hear it. Interpreted later by various artists including Coeur de Pirate, the song title refers to the strong winter winds in Marseille and the South of France, known as the Mistral.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Et entendre ton rire S’envoler aussi haut Que s’envolent les cris Des oiseaux | And hear your laugh Soar so high That the cries fly the birds |
| Te raconter enfin Qu’il faut aimer la vie et l’aimer même si Le temps est assassin et emporte avec lui Les rires des enfants Et les Mistral Gagnants | Finally, to tell That you have to love life and love it even if Time is deadly and takes with it Children’s laughter and the winning mistral winds |
20. Shakira (Francis Cabrel) – Je l’aime à mourir
International star Shakira reinterprets Francis Cabrel’s classic French love song, in this live recording at a concert in Paris. She starts off in Spanish, while halfway through switching to French, with a joyful Parisian crowd singing along.
The song written by Francis Cabrel was originally released in 1979. In “Je l’aime à mourir” meaning “I love her to death”, he describes a woman with with plenty of strength of character and personality, who loves to how to enjoy life and have fun. Cabrel is in enthral with her as is the listener, ready to proclaim our love.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Elle a bâti des ponts Entre nous et le ciel Et nous les traversons À chaque fois qu’elle Ne veut pas dormir Ne veut pas dormir Je l’aime à mourir | She built bridges Between us and the sky And we cross them Every time she Does not want to sleep Does not want to sleep I love her to death |
21. Élodie Frégé – La ceinture
The hauntingly melodic is more complicated than a simple love song, speaking of carnal matters versus the heart.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Non pas sur la bouche Même si c’est louche Puisque ma langue A le goût de ta vertu De ton honneur perdu Non pas sur les lèvres Même si j’en rêve Même si je tremble Et bien que mon coeur soit nu Mon âme est revêtue De pudeur et d’impudence Sans te faire offense Mieux ne vaut pas tenter sa chance Rien ne dure Au-dessus de la ceinture | Not on the mouth Even if it’s fishy Since my tongue Tastes of your virtue Of your lost honor Not on the lips Even if I dream of it Even though I’m shaking And though my heart is bare My soul is coated Of timidity and impudence Without offending you Better not take a chance Nothing lasts Above the belt |
22. Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot – Bonnie & Clyde
And speaking of doomed love, it doesn’t get any more doomed than Bonnie and Clyde. A song by the legendary French singer Serge Gainsbourg with the equally legendary actress Brigitte Bardot, released for a film they did together of the same name.
They had an affair outside the recording studio for about 3 months which didn’t last, during which they recorded Je t’aime… moi non plus. Alas, she was already married, so the song wasn’t released, and he re-recorded it a few years later with Jane Birkin (of handbag fame).
Anyway, for a legendary love story quite short-lived, we will always have Bonnie & Clyde.
| French Lyrics – Sample | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Alors voilà, Clyde a une petite amie Elle est belle et son prénom c’est Bonnie À eux deux, ils forment le gang Barrow Leurs noms, Bonnie Parker et Clyde Barrow | So there you go, Clyde has a girlfriend She is beautiful and her first name is Bonnie Together they form the Barrow gang Their names, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow |
23. Toi et Moi – Guillaume Grand
A more soothing and calming tune is Guillaume Grand’s Toi et moi, meaning you and me. Transport yourself and your loved one to that magical land of amour with these soft lyrics.
| French Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Je voudrais partir Jusqu’à la mer Allongé sur le sable Reprendre un peu l’air | I would like to leave Until the sea Lying on the sand Take back the air |
| Sentir les embruns Rester encore Rester jusqu’à M’ensaler le corps | Feel the spray Stay still Stay until Swallow the body |
| On serait juste toi et moi Près d’ici ou là-bas Sans règles dignes et sans foi Quand tu veux on y va | We will be just you and me Near here or there Without worthy rules and faith We go when you want |
| Toutes les couleurs du ciel Un plein de bouteilles Du rhum, du vin, du miel Quand tu veux on y va | All the colors of the sky A full of bottles Rum, wine, honey We go when you want |
So which French love song is your favorite?If you enjoyed that article, you may like to read some romantic French poems about love. A bientôt!
¹ Featured Image: Samantha Hurley
I love French love songs! They always make me feel so romantic and in love.