Duolingo French Podcast

Duolingo

Deepen your language skills and knowledge of the French-speaking world through fascinating true stories in easy-to-follow French, with added English for context. From Duolingo, the world's #1 way to learn a language. Hosted by Ngofeen Mputubwele. read less

Our Editor's Take

The Duolingo French Podcast is a language podcast from Duolingo, the notable language learning app. This podcast offers an exciting way for French learners to improve their skills. The host Ngogeen Mputobwele guides listeners through a series of true stories. Each episode explores the lives and experiences of French speakers from diverse backgrounds. With a rich collection of short stories to choose from, all levels can learn something new.

Each Duolingo French Podcast episode begins with an introduction by Ngogeen. These true and inspirational stories offer an exciting way to learn more about the French language. Listeners learn more about French life, too. This podcast's helpful narration includes English excerpts for context and clarity. The variety of episodes makes learning fun and engaging. This makes learning a new language easier and more accessible. Listeners will hear about everything from French food talk to a rescue on Mont Blanc.

The Duolingo French Podcast benefits both beginners and advanced speakers. It offers a simple and fun way to improve language skills no matter the level. The engaging narration creates an enjoyable learning experience. The fascinating stories both entertain and illustrate the everyday lives of French speakers. Listeners can improve their comprehension skills and finally book that ticket to France. Fans of this show may like New Yorker Radio Hour. That's Ngogeen's other podcast.

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Trailer Season 15
02-01-2024
Trailer Season 15
The Duolingo French Podcast is back for a special season celebrating the arts in France and around the world. We’re revisiting our favorite stories of dancers, singers, performers, and even an undercover clown — as well as updates about how these artists are doing. This special season starts January 9. Listen to the trailer now!

Episodes

The Voice of France (La voix de la France) - Revisited
27-02-2024
The Voice of France (La voix de la France) - Revisited
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Simone, who unknowingly became the most “listened-to voice in France.” Stick around until the end for an update on what Simone has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/49R1BPW.
In The Spotlight with Jacques Brel (En scène avec Jacques Brel) - Revisited
20-02-2024
In The Spotlight with Jacques Brel (En scène avec Jacques Brel) - Revisited
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Arnaud, who launched a career impersonating one of France’s most beloved male singers, Jacques Brel. Stick around until the end for an update on what Arnaud has been up to since the first episode aired! Check out recordings of Arnaud’s live performances here. We also made a Spotify playlist where you can kick back and listen to some of Jacques Brel’s greatest hits. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3I7TkLW.
Traditions iconiques - Fête de la musique - Revisited
13-02-2024
Traditions iconiques - Fête de la musique - Revisited
On June 21, 1981, the French government invented a new holiday. Ever since then, every summer solstice, anyone in France can take to the streets and perform music…and they do! But for Fanny, sharing her birthday with la Fête de la Musique was a bit of a curse…until she discovered how to help her favorite band take on the challenge of that special night. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3HYOEHZ.
La mélodie de la Martinique (The Sound of Martinique) - Revisited
06-02-2024
La mélodie de la Martinique (The Sound of Martinique) - Revisited
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Christophe, better known under his performer name Chassol, who developed a new musical genre inspired by the sounds of his home island of Martinique. Stick around until the end for an update on what Christophe has been up to since the first episode aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3w5nVa2.
La chanteuse des îles (The Island Singer) - Revisited
30-01-2024
La chanteuse des îles (The Island Singer) - Revisited
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Waaydah, a teenager from the French island of Mayotte who took the stage in her island’s first-ever opera competition. Stick around until the end for an update on what Waaydah has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4bknOYf.
La comédienne de balcon (The Balcony Performer) - Revisited
23-01-2024
La comédienne de balcon (The Balcony Performer) - Revisited
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Marie, a stage actor who found a way to keep French theater alive during the Covid lockdowns. Stick around until the end for an update on what Marie has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4ba190U.
Le clown « undercover » (The Undercover Clown) - Revisited
16-01-2024
Le clown « undercover » (The Undercover Clown) - Revisited
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of David, an engineer by day and French clown by night. Stick around until the end for an update on what David has up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/424ViWh.
La joie du cancan (The Joy of Cancan) - Revisited
09-01-2024
La joie du cancan (The Joy of Cancan) - Revisited
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Monika, who has been dancing the French Cancan in Paris since the 1960s. Stick around until the end for an update on what Monika has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://podcast.duolingo.com/french.
Trailer Season 15
02-01-2024
Trailer Season 15
The Duolingo French Podcast is back for a special season celebrating the arts in France and around the world. We’re revisiting our favorite stories of dancers, singers, performers, and even an undercover clown — as well as updates about how these artists are doing. This special season starts January 9. Listen to the trailer now!
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine: L’héroïne
14-11-2023
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine: L’héroïne
Josephine embarks on perilous spy missions…and her wartime service brings her face to face with the man who inspired her to join the Resistance. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3QUR3sq.
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, la résistante
07-11-2023
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, la résistante
With France under German occupation, Josephine takes refuge at her sanctuary, Les Milandes. Until the enemy comes knocking at the gates. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3QNcpIh.
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, l'espionne
31-10-2023
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, l'espionne
With war declared in France, Josephine braces for the conflict and wonders how she can help…until a member of the French secret service knocks at her door and she begins a new chapter of her life. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3MP6aBx.
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, la cible
24-10-2023
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, la cible
Josephine puts down roots in her beloved France while trying to find her place as an artist as the world teeters toward war. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3tM0mlu.
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, l'icône
17-10-2023
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, l'icône
Josephine becomes an international sensation and adopts France as her home. But in neighboring Germany, Nazism is on the rise and threatens her newfound freedom. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4010Hg5.
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, la danseuse
11-10-2023
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, la danseuse
19-year-old Josephine Baker leaves her life in the U.S. behind and arrives in Paris to try her luck onstage. She falls in love with the city, but what will she have to do in order to succeed there? With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/46I6I3s.
Trailer Season 14
11-10-2023
Trailer Season 14
The Duolingo French Podcast returns with a thrilling new season! Discover the untold story of 1920s icon Josephine Baker – not just a dancer, but a spy for the French Resistance. Featuring Academy Award-winner Ariana DeBose. This special season launches on October 11th, 2023. Catch the trailer now!
La championne du fromage (Cheese Champion) - Revisited
02-05-2023
La championne du fromage (Cheese Champion) - Revisited
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Virginie Dhorne – a French cheesemonger with a fierce competitive streak. Stick around until the end to hear what Virginie’s been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4202Hpg.
38 gamins (38 kids) - Revisited
25-04-2023
38 gamins (38 kids) - Revisited
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Loune Viaud, a public health expert from Haiti who rescued 38 children after the 2010 earthquake struck the country. Stick around until the end to hear what Loune and the children from the story have been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3H96ecn.
La reine du codage (The Coding Queen) - Revisited
18-04-2023
La reine du codage (The Coding Queen) - Revisited
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revising a story by Matina Razafimahefa, a university student from Madagascar with an entrepreneurial spirit. Stick around until the end to hear what Matina has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/41vlwjy.
Rêves d’une karateka (Karate Dreams) - Revisited
11-04-2023
Rêves d’une karateka (Karate Dreams) - Revisited
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Valérie Desroches, a karate student from Montreal. After learning she had Asperger's syndrome, Valérie’s new self-knowledge inspired her to work even harder toward achieving her karate dreams. Stick around until the end to hear what Valérie has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3zREXHc.