10 French series to watch on Netflix
At the time of writing this post, 1.5 billion people around the world are in some form of enforced confinement due to the Covid-19 epidemic. As many of our readers had plans to travel to France this year, we want to help keep your travel dreams alive.
Our wishes for all our readers and travelers is for you to be immersed in French culture, and really understand what it means to be French - from the humor, to the food, to the sceneries and our traditions.
Here we have selected a variety of French-language series of diverse genres. We have tried to include something for everyone, and many of these are available to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
If you’re having to spend days and weeks in quarantine, you can now immerse yourself in French culture from the comfort of your couch.
The Hook-Up Plan
Plan Coeur (Comedy / Drama)
When Elsa, a Parisian, is hung up on her ex and not getting anywhere in love or her career, her friends decide to set her up with a male escort (unbeknownst to her). Things get interesting when the plan works a little bit too well.
Call My Agent!
(Dix pour cent) (Comedy / Drama)
Behind every great actor is a great agent. And together, an agency and its actor clients are one big family, with all the feuds and drama that go with it! This comedy series follows the lives and jobs of people working at a talent agency, as they discover the true price of fame.
A Very Secret Service
Au service de la France (Comedy)
In 1960, and at the height of the Cold War, the young, handsome and intelligent yet impressionable André Merlaux joins the French Secret Service and must confront both international and bureaucratic enemies. Under the leadership of his three seniors, he has much to learn in order to protect and defend the interests of France. The officials must train him to execute complex and at times outrageous missions, as Merlaux discovers the intricacies of government and navigates diplomatic incidents.
The Chalet
Le Chalet (Mystery / Thriller)
Childhood friends gather for a reunion at a remote chalet in the French Alps, but it soon turns into a desperate struggle for survival as they get cut off from civilization and discover a shocking dark secret from the past.
Chef's Table France
(Gastronomy)
An Emmy-nominated series, Chef's Table (French edition) goes inside the lives and kitchens of some of the world's most renowned French chefs. Each episode focuses on a single chef and their unique look at their lives, talents and passion from their piece of culinary heaven.
Marseille
(Political Drama)
A tale of power, corruption and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the French port city of Marseille. Robert Taro, Marseille's mayor of 25 years, played by French actor Gérard Depardieu, is opposed by his young, ambitious former protégé.
The Bonfire of Destiny
Le Bazar de la Charité (Historical Drama)
The Bonfire of Destiny tells the horrific story of the Bazar de la Charité, an annual charity event held in Paris. In 1897, there was a terrible fire at the event that killed over 100 people. The series is fictional but based on this true event, following some of those killed in the blaze as well as the survivors who seek the truth about what caused the fire.
A French Village
Un village français (Historical Drama)
A series set in central France during World War II, A French Village explores the story of French collaboration, resistance, and survival during the German occupation of France. The series portrays love, courage, weakness, greed, opportunism and anti-semitism, as it tells the story of a community taken over by a merciless conquering power. The series highlights the agonizing choices facing people when survival means treachery and resistance, torture and death.
The Forest
La Forêt (Crime / Drama)
When sixteen-year-old Jennifer disappears from a village near the Ardennes forest, local police officers Captain Gaspard Deker and P.C. Virginie Musso, and a concerned teacher begin to uncover a web of disturbing secrets.
The mantis
La Mante (Crime / Drama / Thriller)
Decades after her capture, a convicted serial killer nicknamed ‘La Mante’ offers to help the police solve a string of copycat murders imitating her style - but only if her son, now a cop, agrees to work with her.