Young kids are wonderful (most of the time). Full of learning, enthusiasm, and chatter. I have two of them, so I know! So for my list of the top French songs for kids, I picked songs that are popular in France, but also those that tell an interesting story. With the lyrics in French and English, young children can follow along and sing-along too.
If you have babies and toddlers, do check out my list of top French nursery rhymes. Those songs are a little simpler, with repetitive refrains that will are easy to listen to.
And if you are looking for a particular emphasis on falling asleep, take a look at my list of French lullabies which should hopefully please tired parents everywhere!
Anyway, to continue, speaking of songs for school-age children, some of the French songs on this list may seem quite long, and the reason for that is, in France, kids learn to recite poetry by heart in school. These longer songs are a sort of pre-training for kids for when they reach elementary school.
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1. Pirouette, cacahuète
This fanciful song about a little guy named Pirouette Cacahuète is one of the most popular French songs for kids of all time. The poor postman suffers, but everyone else will be quite happy with this tune.
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Il était un petit homme Pirouette, cacahuète Il était un petit homme Qui avait une drôle de maison Qui avait une drôle de maison | He was a little man Pirouette Peanut He was a little man Who had a funny house Who had a funny house |
| Sa maison est en carton Pirouette, cacahuète Sa maison est en carton Les escaliers sont en papier Les escaliers sont en papier | His house is made of cardboard Pirouette Peanut His house is made of cardboard The stairs are made of paper The stairs are made of paper |
| Si vous voulez y monter Pirouette, cacahuète Si vous voulez y monter Vous vous casserez le bout du nez Vous vous casserez le bout du nez | If you want to go up there Pirouette Peanut If you want to go up there You will break your nose You will break your nose |
| Le facteur y est monté Pirouette, cacahuète Le facteur y est monté Il s’est cassé le bout du nez Il s’est cassé le bout du nez | The postman went up there Pirouette Peanut The postman went up there He broke his nose He broke his nose |
| On lui a raccommodé Pirouette, cacahuète On lui a raccommodé Avec du joli fil doré Avec du joli fil doré | We fixed him up Pirouette, peanut We fixed him up With pretty golden thread With pretty golden thread |
| Le beau fil, il s’est cassé, Pirouette cacahuète Le beau fil, il s’est cassé Le bout du nez s’est envolé Le bout du nez s’est envolé | The beautiful thread, it broke, Peanut pirouette The beautiful thread, it broke The tip of the nose is gone The tip of the nose is gone |
| Mon histoire est terminée Pirouette, cacahuète Mon histoire est terminée Messieurs, Mesdames, applaudissez Messieurs, Mesdames, applaudissez | My story is over Pirouette Peanut My story is over Gentlemen, Ladies, please applaud Gentlemen, Ladies, please applaud |
2. Promenons-nous dans les bois
Wolves play a bit part in French stories and childhood tales, probably because they used to be common in the French countryside. If you are looking for a gentle family of wolves, check out Petit Loup (little wolf) series of books and TV show.
This wolf though is supposed to be a bit more scary. He does put on underwear just like everyone else though.
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| (Refrain) Promenons-nous dans les bois Pendant que le loup n’y est pas Si le loup y était Il nous mangerait Mais comme il n’y est pas Il nous mangera pas Loup y es-tu ? Que fais-tu? Entends-tu? | (Refrain) Let’s wander in the forest While the wolf is not there If the wolf was here He would eat us But since he is not there He won’t eat us Wolf are you there ? What are you doing? Do you hear? |
| Le loup: – Je mets ma chemise | The wolf: – I’m putting on my shirt |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Le loup: – Je mets ma culotte | The wolf: – I’m putting on my underwear |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Le loup: – Je mets mes bottes | The wolf: – I’m putting on my boots |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Le loup: – Je mets ma veste – Je mets mes chaussettes – Je mets mes bottes – Je mets mon chapeau – Je mets mes lunettes – Je prends mon fusil – J’arrive! | The wolf: – I’m putting on my jacket – I’m putting on my socks – I’m putting on my boots – I’m putting on my hat – I’m putting on my glasses – I’m getting my gun – I’m coming! |
3. Tête, Epaules, Genoux et Pieds
The classic Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes has come to France. There’s no toes here though, toes has been substituted for feet. If you are wondering what the French word for “toes” is, it is orteil.
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Tête, épaules, genoux et pieds. Genoux et pieds. Tête, épaules, genoux et pieds. Genoux et pieds. | Head, shoulders, knees and feet. Knees and feet. Head, shoulders, knees and feet. Knees and feet. |
| J’ai deux yeux, Deux oreilles, Une bouche et un nez. Tête, épaules, genoux et pieds. | I have two eyes, Two ears, A mouth and a nose. Head, shoulders, knees and feet. |
| Repeat | Repeat |
4. Un Eléphant qui se balançait
With visions of elephants balancing on a spiderweb, children will quickly learn to count to 10 in French with Un Eléphant qui se balançait.
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Un éléphant qui se balançait sur une toile, toile, toile, toile d’araignée, Et qui trouvait ce jeu tellement amusant Qu’il a cherché un deuxième éléphant | An elephant who was balancing on a web, web, web, spiderweb, And who found this game so funny That he looked for a second elephant |
| Deux éléphants… | 2 elephants… |
| Trois éléphants… | 3 elephants… |
| Quatre éléphants… | 4 elephants… |
| Cinq éléphants qui se balançaient sur une toile toile toile Toile d’araignée et il trouvait ça tellement amusant Que tout à coup… | 5 elephants who were balancing on a web, web, web, spiderweb, who found this game so funny That all of a sudden, |
| Bada Boom! | Bada Boom! |
5. Sur le Pont d’Avignon
The classic “Ringa ringa rosie” folkdance in English comes to French with the Pont d’Avignon, and is a popular song among the nursery crowd. The song dates back to the 15th century, and is based on the actual bridge in Avignon, the Pont Saint-Bénézet.
While a portion of the bridge is still standing, it doesn’t extend across the Rhône river anymore. Either way, kids will still enjoy dancing to this little ditty.
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| (Refrain) Sur le pont d’Avignon, L’on y danse, l’on y danse, Sur le pont d’Avignon L’on y danse tout en rond. | (Refrain) On the bridge of Avignon, We dance there, we dance there, On the bridge of Avignon We dance there in circles. |
| Repeat refrain | Repeat refrain |
| Les beaux Messieurs font comme ça Et puis encore comme ça. | The handsome Monsieurs do like this And then again like this. |
| Refrain x 2 | Refrain x 2 |
| Les belles dames font comme ça Et puis encore comme ça. | The pretty ladies do like this And then again like this. |
| Repeat | Repeat |
6. Le Bon Roi Dagobert
Before the French Revolution, there was the Bon Roi Dagobert around 600-639AD. He may have been the Bon Roi (“Good King”), but he is a bit daft.
The full song is quite long, but the children’s version restricts itself to 3 verses.
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| C’est le Roi Dagobert, Qui met sa culotte à l’envers, Le Saint Eloi lui dit : “O mon Roi, Votre majesté Est mal culottée” “C’est vrai, lui dit le roi, Je vais la remettre à l’endroit” (Oh la la!) | It’s King Dagobert, Who puts his underwear inside out, The Saint Eloi said to him: “O my King, Your majesty Is badly underwear-ed ” “It is true, said the King, I’m going to put it the right way” (Oh dear!) |
| Le bon Roi Dagobert Chassait dans la plaine d’Anvers Le grand Saint Eloi lui dit : “O mon Roi, Votre Majesté Est bien essoufflée” “C’est vrai, lui dit le Roi, Un lapin courait après moi!” | The good King Dagobert Hunting in the plains of Anvers The great Saint Eloi said to him: “O my King, Your Majesty Is out of breath” “It is true, said the King, A rabbit was chasing after me!” |
| Le bon Roi Dagobert Avait un grand sabre de fer. Le grand Saint Eloi lui dit : “O mon Roi, Votre Majesté Pourrait se blesser” “C’est vrai, lui dit le Roi, Qu’on me donne un sabre de bois!” | The good King Dagobert Had a large metal sword. The great Saint Eloi said to him: “O my King, Your Majesty Could get hurt” “It is true, said the King, Give me a wooden sword!” |
7. Il était un petit navire
Il était un petit navire may be a little macabre, but this French song for kids is really popular, even if it is very long.
This is actually the short version of the song. In the long version, there are lyrics wondering what sauce to cook the sailor in and so on. Another couple of verses involve the young sailor praying to the sky, to the Virgin Mary and God to save him from being eaten.
Thankfully all turns out well in the end!
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Il était un petit navire Il était un petit navire Qui n’avait ja, ja, jamais navigué Qui n’avait ja, ja, jamais navigué Ohé, ohé… | There was a small ship There was a small ship Who had never, never sailed Who had never, never sailed Ohé, ohé… |
| Il partit pour un long voyage Il partit un long voyage Sur la mer mé, mé, Méditérannée Sur la mer mé, mé, Méditérannée Ohé, ohé… | It went on a long journey It went on a long journey On the sea mé, mé, Mediterranean On the sea mé, mé, Mediterranean Ohé, ohé… |
| (Refrain) Ohé, ohé Matelot Matelot navigue sur les flots Ohé, ohé Matelot Matelot navigue sur les flots | (Refrain) Ohé, ohé Sailor Sailor sails on the waves Ohé, ohé Sailor Sailor sails on the waves |
| Au bout de cinq à six semaines Au bout de cinq à six semaines Les vivres vin, vin, vinrent à manquer Les vivres vin, vin, vinrent à manquer Ohé, ohé… | After five to six weeks After five to six weeks Food, the food starts to run out Food, the food starts to run out Ohé, ohé… |
| On tira à la courte paille, On tira à la courte paille, Pour savoir qui-qui-qui serait mangé, Pour savoir qui-qui-qui serait mangé, Ohé, ohé… | They pulled the short straw, They pulled the short straw, To find out who-who-who would be eaten, To find out who-who-who would be eaten, Ohé, ohé… |
| Le sort tomba sur le plus jeune Le sort tomba sur le plus jeune Le pauvre enfant se, se, serait mangé Le pauvre enfant se, se, serait mangé Ohé, ohé… | Fate fell on the youngest Fate fell on the youngest The poor child would be eaten The poor child would be eaten Ohé, ohé… |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Au même instant un grand miracle, Au même instant un grand miracle, Pour l’enfant fut-fut-fut réalisé, Pour l’enfant fut-fut-fut réalisé, Ohé, ohé… | At the same time a great miracle, At the same time a great miracle, For the child to be saved, For the child to be saved, Ohé, ohé… |
| Soudain les poissons dans navire, Soudain les poissons dans navire, Sautèrent par-par-par et par milliers, Sautèrent par-par-par et par milliers, Ohé, ohé… | Suddenly the fish in the ship, Suddenly the fish in the ship, Jumped by-by-by and by thousands, Jumped by-by-by and by thousands, Ohé, ohé… |
| On les prit on les mit à frire On les prit on les mit à frire Et le jeune mousse, mousse, mousse fut sauvé Et le jeune mousse, mousse, mousse fut sauvé | They took them and put them to fry They took them and put them to fry And the young sail-sail-sailor was saved And the young sail-sail-sailor was saved |
| Si cette histoire vous amuse, Si cette histoire vous amuse, Nous allons la-la-la recommencer, Nous allons la-la-la recommencer, Ohé, ohé… | If this story amuses you, If this story amuses you, We’re going to start it again, We’re going to start it again, Ohé, ohé… |
| Refrain | Refrain |
8. Savez-vous planter les choux
Savez-vous planter les choux is another cheerful little ditty to learn the parts of the body.
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| (Refrain) Savez-vous planter les choux? A la mode, à la mode, Savez-vous planter les choux? A la mode de chez nous. | (Refrain) Do you know how to plant cabbage? The right way, the right way, Do you know how to plant cabbage? The way we do it at home. |
| On les plante avec le pied. À la mode, à la mode, On les plante avec le pied. À la mode de chez nous. | You plant them with your foot. The right way, the right way, You plant them with your foot. The way we do it at home. |
| On les plante avec la main. À la mode, à la mode, On les plante avec la main. À la mode de chez nous. | You plant them with your hand. The right way, the right way, You plant them with your hand. The way we do it at home. |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| On les plante avec le coude. À la mode, à la mode, On les plante avec le coude. À la mode de chez nous. | You plant them with your elbow. The right way, the right way, You plant them with your elbow. The way we do it at home. |
| On les plante avec le nez. À la mode, à la mode, On les plante avec le nez. À la mode de chez nous. | You plant them with your nose. The right way, the right way, You plant them with your nose. The way we do it at home. |
| Refrain | Refrain |
9. Une Souris Verte
Une Souris Verte is one of those French songs whose lyrics sound a bit strange, even if children find them hilarious.
It takes a darker turn though, as the legend suggests that story is about a Royalist soldier during the French Revolution in the 1790s, who is tracked and tortured by the Republicans. Only a legend though, so who knows? Kids will love the idea of mouse poop though.
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Une souris verte Qui courait dans l’herbe Je l’attrape par la queue, Je la montre à ces messieurs Ces messieurs me disent: | A green mouse Who was running in the grass I grab it by the tail, I show it to these gentlemen These gentlemen tell me: |
| (Refrain) Trempez-la dans l’huile, Trempez-la dans l’eau, Ça fera un escargot Tout chaud. | (Refrain) Soak it in oil, Soak it in water, It will make the snail All hot. |
| Je la mets dans un tiroir Elle me dit qu’il fait trop noir Je la mets dans mon chapeau, Elle me dit qu’il fait trop chaud Je la mets dans ma culotte, Elle me fait trois petites crottes | I put it in a drawer She tells me it’s too dark I put it in my hat, She tells me it’s too hot I put it in my underwear, She makes three little droppings |
| Repeat from Refrain | Repeat from Refrain |
10. Si tu as d’la joie au coeur
Another English transplant is the “If you are happy and you know it.” In French though, it becomes “having joy in your heart”.
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Frappe des mains Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Frappe des mains Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Frappe des mains. | If you have joy in your heart Clap your hands If you have joy in your heart Clap your hands If you have joy in your heart If you have joy in your heart If you have joy in your heart Clap your hands. |
| Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Claque la langue Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Claque la langue Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Claque la langue | If you have joy in your heart Clack your tongue If you have joy in your heart Clack your tongue If you have joy in your heart If you have joy in your heart If you have joy in your heart Clack your tongue. |
| Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Frappe du pied Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Frappe du pied Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Frappe du pied. | If you have joy in your heart Tap your foot If you have joy in your heart Tap your foot If you have joy in your heart If you have joy in your heart If you have joy in your heart Tap your foot |
| Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Frappe des mains Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Claque la langue Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Frappe du pied. | If you have joy in your heart Clap your hands If you have joy in your heart Clack your tongue If you have joy in your heart If you have joy in your heart If you have joy in your heart Tap your foot |
| Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Si tu as d’ la joie au cœur Dis merci – merci. | If you have joy in your heart If you have joy in your heart If you have joy in your heart Say thank you – thank you. |
☞ READ MORE: How to say Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe in French
11. Au feu les Pompier
Now this is a rather strange French song about a fire, but the kids seem to enjoy it. The firemen are called to put out a fire, which has been set deliberately by the person running the canteen. There is no good explanation here, but as I said the kids love it!
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Au feu, les pompiers V’là la maison qui brûle Au feu, les pompiers V’là la maison brûlée | On fire, the firemen Here is the house that burns On fire, the firemen Here is the burnt house |
| C’est pas moi, qui l’ai brûlée C’est la cantinière C’est pas moi, qui l’ai brûlée C’est le cantinier | It was not me who burned her It’s the canteen-worker It was not me who burned her It’s the canteen-worker |
| Repeat | Repeat |
12. C’est bientôt l’heure des mamans
One of the sweetest French songs on the list is “C’est bientôt l’heure des mamans”, meaning “it is the hour of the mom”. It is a song about the end of day at school, and the kids getting their things ready together to go meet their mothers. French kids start school as early as the year they turn 3, so this is lovely French song is for school-age children.
| French Song Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| (Refrain) C’est bientôt l’heure des mamans préparez vous les enfants il faut mettre ses habits l’école est finie | (Refrain) It’s moms time soon Get ready children you have to put on your clothes school is over |
| Devant l’école maternelle les parents sont là devant l’école maternelle ils font les cent pas | In front of the preschool parents are there in front of the preschool they are pacing |
| Refrain | Refrain |
| Ma petite maman magique dès que je te vois je viens me blottir bien vite au creux de tes bras | My little magic mom as soon as I see you I’m coming quickly to snuggle in the crook of your arms |
| Refrain | Refrain |
☞ READ MORE: Au Clair de la Lune: The Risqué Nursery Rhyme
So there you have it, the top French songs for kids! Which one is your little one’s favorite? If you enjoyed that article, you may want to read more about the top French cartoons and books for your little one, as well as our other resources to learn French. A bientôt!
¹ Featured Image: Samantha Hurley
