Free youth series for beginner French learners
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In a bilingual country such as Canada, finding high quality French‑language programming for children and teens should be effortless, yet many parents and educators still struggle to navigate the maze of platforms, dubs, and regional offerings.
To make French more accessible to you, Alliance Francaise Vancouver has curated a list of youth shows available for free through Canadian digital libraries such as CBC Gem, ICI TOU.TV, Télé-Québec and TFO. From gentle preschool storytelling to animated fantasy adventures for young teens, today’s platforms offer an impressively rich selection of series that entertain while supporting language learning.
At the time of writing, all the shows in this list are available for
free and without subscription: simply click on the link attached to the title and enjoy!
Zoomizoom is a cheerful series that follows a group of friends as they explore their colourful world through
music, imagination, and everyday adventures. In Zoomizoom park, both English and French are spoken and used in simple
storytelling - planning an activity, solving a small problem, discovering new things, or helping a
friend - all told with relatability and fun. Characters naturally switch between English and French, incorporating
basic vocabulary words – ideal for early learners.
L’Agent Jean is a very popular animated series amongst Québec children. In
this show, an ultra-secret organization called the Agency is responsible for protecting Earth and its population from super
villains. Inspired by James Bond, this comedy recounts the adventures of the famous Agent Jean, a clumsy but talented deer
who works at the Agency. In these 7-minutes episodes, the humor and visuals carry the story, making it easier for kids to follow
along even if they don’t understand every word.
Les jeux de la Fontaine is a beautifully crafted animated adventure series for kids and young
teenagers. Inspired by the classic fables of Jean de La Fontaine, the best athletes in the animal kingdom gather every four
years to compete in the games (including in some parasports disciplines). The episodes, lasting around
two minutes, convey a small moral message related to friendship, mutual aid, or respect. After the Milan–Cortina Winter Games,
watching this show can be a fun way for kids to pick up some new French vocabulary words about sports.
La Rivière à l'Envers is a youth adventure series that follows two children, Tomek and Hannah, on a quest of
discovery around the mysterious Qjar River. The story is a blend of magic, emotion, and travel, with a continuous narrative
progression that accompanies the characters through different worlds. It’s ideal for teens with a more advanced level
in French, who enjoy fantasy worlds. The first season is free to watch on TFO and includes eight episodes of twenty minutes
each.
On joue ! avec Biscuit et Cassonade is a sweet children's series featuring two very popular stuffed animals in Quebec, Biscuit and Cassonade, in a miniature world filled with imagination. Each episode follows the two brothers as they visit their babysitter Caroline, an artist who creatively transforms everyday objects into miniature settings where they invent fun stories and discover new things. Simple language and gentle narration allow children to enrich their French vocabulary while following a reassuring story.
In March, as part of Printemps de la Francophonie, take the time to discover this language through the small screen — an opportunity to
spend family time enjoying the work of French and Canadian storytellers.
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