13 great French TV shows for every taste

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

These completely different projects will definitely not let you get bored.

1. Helen and the guys

• France, 1992-1994.
• Comedy, sitcom.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 5, 7.

Three Parisian students Nicolas, Etienne and Christian dream of becoming famous musicians and rehearse in the garage. They meet beautiful classmates Helen, Katya and Joanna and have romances with them.

The sitcom about the life of French students immediately after the premiere became the most popular youth TV series (including far beyond the borders of France). There was a lot of good music in it with the beautiful voice of the leading actress Helene Rolle, and the fashionable outfits of the characters delighted the eyes of the audience.

Only now the press mercilessly criticized the show for being unrealistic: the characters did not seem to study at all and did not prepare for exams, but only went in for sports, played guitars and got involved in regular romantic adventures. At the same time, the heroes were so perfect that they did not even smoke, drink or swear.

The creators of the series listened to the comments and gradually began to introduce "adult" themes: drugs, alcoholism, violence, betrayal. But this only led to new scandals: TF1 was not ready to show such a young audience.

The show has definitely not passed the test of time: the characters often violate each other's boundaries, betray, change for no apparent reason. But it is quite possible to revise a couple of episodes for the sake of nostalgic memories.

2. Hospital

• France, 1998-2002.
• Comedy, sitcom.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

A team of doctors and nurses led by an eccentric professor has to work every day in complete chaos, getting involved in various stupid troubles along the way. The action of the first season does not go beyond the hospital, but then the series accelerates, so that the heroes find themselves in the most extraordinary places and situations.

One of the main roles is played by Jamel Debbouz, one of the most beloved artists and showmen of France (the Russian audience will probably remember the actor as the architect Nernabis from the film “Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra” and the film “Amelie”). The most attentive francophiles should definitely recognize the wildly popular comedy duo Ramzi Bedia and Eric Judor, who starred together in Hell's Skyscraper and many other great films.

3. Camelot

• France, 2004-2009.
• Fantasy, adventure, comedy.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Brittany, 5th century AD. King Arthur, with varying success, tries to guide his stupid people towards the light. The wizard Merlin and the knights of the Round Table help him in this.

If you like absurd French comedies like "Santa Claus is a Thug", you will definitely like "Camelot": the characters communicate in the language of the Parisian suburbs and, moreover, constantly joke (and often below the belt). The episodes are 2-3 minutes long, so it is quite possible to master all the episodes in the evening.

4. Spirals

• France, 2005 - present.
• Detective, crime drama.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

The body of a severely mutilated female immigrant from Eastern Europe was found in a dumpster. A police group of the criminal department is taken to solve the case. The forensic investigator, lawyer and prosecutor are also at the center of events.

Compared to other procedures, the show reveals the work of the law enforcement system as a whole, showing how the gears turn (in fact, the series is called in the original) of the mechanism of a huge machine that ensures law and order. By the way, for those who think France is a very romantic country, "Spirals" will be a real revelation: viewers will see unsightly sleeping areas on the outskirts of Paris and all the color of the criminal contingent.

5. What is good, what is bad

• France, 2007-2017.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Two very different families living next door in the suburbs of Paris have diametrically opposed views on parenting. But gradually the conservative Lepik and the creative Bule nevertheless become friends.

A soulful comedy about family relationships lasted on the air for 10 years, and the youngest characters matured in front of the audience. The series is ideal for those who are learning French and would like to expand their vocabulary or work on their pronunciation - or just get in a good mood.

6. French town

• France, 2009-2017.
• Historical drama.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

The action takes place in the fictional tiny town of Villeneuve, occupied by the Germans during World War II. At the center of the story is the life of ordinary people with their daily fears and worries. For four terrible years, the heroes are helped to survive only by courage and mutual assistance.

Watching this very good in many ways series is worth at least in order to understand the history of the German occupation, to understand the origins of the movement of the French Resistance and collaboration.

7. In short

• France, 2011-2012.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

The episodes (which, by the way, last only 2 minutes and begin with the words "In short, I …") are short sketches from the life of an ordinary French guy, insecure and terribly lazy. The awkward situations in which the protagonist finds himself are played up excitingly and incredibly funny, and the show itself gave rise to many imitators. In short, I went home for the holidays.

8. At the call of sorrow

• France, 2012 - present.
• Drama, fantasy, horror.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

In a small Swiss town, where many years ago hundreds of people became victims of a natural disaster, very strange things are happening: those who died for some unknown reason return to the world of the living. Some residents of the city strive with all their might to protect their newly acquired loved ones, others are determined to fight a possible invasion of zombies.

The closest relative of "The Returners" (this is how the name of the series sounds in the original) critics call "Twin Peaks" David Lynch. Indeed, both projects are distinguished by a peculiar mysterious and melancholic mood. And in the case of the French, this atmosphere is also emphasized by the excellent soundtrack of the Scottish music group Mogwai.

9. Versailles

• Canada, France, 2015-2018.
• Historical drama, biography.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 9.

Young King Louis XIV decides to move his residence from the Louvre to a small village in the suburbs of Paris. But he is very much hampered by the empty treasury and political intrigues.

The creators were not too eager to convey historical facts, so the series should be perceived more as entertainment than educational. But you will definitely like Versailles if you are a fan of interesting court intrigues: they are no less sharp and tense here than in Game of Thrones.

10. Ten percent

• France, 2015 - present.
• Comedy drama.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

The series tells about the life of the employees of the ASK agency, which specializes in working with famous and not so famous actors. Problems begin when one of the founders dies unexpectedly. Now the heroes must try to establish business and at the same time not get confused in their own complex relationships.

Fans of French cinema will definitely fall in love with the unique charm of this series: the heroes have to resolve difficult situations, intriguing plot twists occur constantly, and the guest stars play themselves. Among them are Monica Bellucci, Jean Dujardin, Gilles Lelouch, Isabelle Huppert, Juliette Binoche and many others. Some are even dedicated to a separate series.

11. Bureau

• France, 2015 - present.
• Spy drama, political thriller.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

After spending several years abroad, intelligence officer Guillaume Debayy returns to his home country, but cannot adapt to normal life in any way. Suddenly he learns that Nadia El-Mansour, his beloved in Damascus, is also in Paris. To see his beloved, the hero violates the job descriptions, and this leads to an irreparable result.

Fans of action movies are likely to be disappointed, because there are practically no shootouts, chases and even spectacular special effects in the series. But nevertheless "Bureau" looks in the same breath due to the well-written script and competent development of the characters' characters.

12. Praying mantis

• France, 2017.
• Crime drama, thriller.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Serial killer Jeanne Deber, nicknamed Mantis, is serving a life sentence in prison, but 25 years later, a copycat is declared, exactly copying her crimes. The woman agrees to help the investigation on one condition: her son Damien, ironically serving as a police detective, will work on the case.

Mantis is absolutely deservedly called one of the best foreign Netflix miniseries. The series can be recommended with a clear conscience to everyone who at one time was fascinated by the famous story of Hannibal Lecter, and just loves intricate crime stories. Separately, it should be said about the convincing play of the actors (primarily the famous French actress Carole Bouquet) - it is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent.

13. Shame France

• France, Belgium, 2018 - present.
• Teenage drama.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Typical French high school students live the usual teenage life: they experience their first crush, go to noisy parties and face various ambiguous situations.

The original "Shame" was filmed only for Norwegian viewers, but thanks to its innovative presentation, it quickly became a cult icon all over the world. In 2018, numerous international remakes began to appear - including the French version, which viewers loved as much as the original. The writers did not copy their colleagues in full and prescribed new storylines, so even fans of the original source will have something to see.