Best French Web Series You Should Be Watching Now

France, a nation renowned for its cinematic prowess, has also quietly cultivated a vibrant and innovative web series landscape. Forget the traditional television format; these bite-sized narratives, often brimming with fresh perspectives and experimental storytelling, offer a compelling alternative for discerning viewers. This curated list highlights some of the best French web series currently available, catering to diverse tastes and showcasing the breadth of talent emerging from France’s digital creative scene. Prepare to be captivated, amused, and thoroughly entertained.

1. Calls:

Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller, Psychological Horror

Why watch it: “Calls” is a truly unique and unsettling experience. Instead of visuals, the series relies solely on audio recordings – phone calls, answering machine messages, and police intercepts – to tell its story. These seemingly ordinary conversations gradually unravel into a terrifying narrative of impending doom, focusing on a mysterious event that threatens the very fabric of reality.

Key Features:

• Innovative format: The absence of visuals forces the viewer to actively engage their imagination, creating a deeply immersive and intensely personal experience.
• Star-studded voice cast: Featuring prominent French actors lending their voices, adding a layer of authenticity and gravitas.
• Psychological depth: Explores themes of paranoia, isolation, and the fragility of human perception.
• Anthology structure: Each episode presents a self-contained story, contributing to the overarching mystery.

Where to watch: Apple TV+ (remake available). The original French version is more impactful.

2. Fais pas ci, fais pas ça (Don’t Do This, Don’t Do That):

Genre: Comedy, Family Drama

Why watch it: This long-running series offers a hilarious and insightful look at the clash between two families with vastly different parenting styles. The Lepic family represents traditional values and conservative viewpoints, while the Bouley family embraces a more liberal and bohemian approach. Their contrasting philosophies lead to constant misunderstandings and comedic situations.

Key Features:

• Relatable characters: The characters are flawed and relatable, making their struggles and triumphs resonate with viewers.
• Sharp social commentary: The series subtly satirizes contemporary French society, touching on issues such as education, politics, and cultural identity.
• Endearing family dynamics: Despite their differences, the Lepic and Bouley families ultimately care for each other, creating a heartwarming dynamic.
• Consistent quality: The series maintained a high level of quality throughout its run, with consistently funny and engaging episodes.

Where to watch: Unavailable on major streaming platforms in some regions. Requires searching online.

3. Le Visiteur du Futur (The Visitor from the Future):

Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy, Time Travel

Why watch it: “Le Visiteur du Futur” started as a low-budget web series and quickly gained a cult following due to its clever writing, quirky characters, and inventive use of time travel tropes. The series follows Raph, an ordinary man who is visited by a time traveler from the future who warns him about a catastrophic event.

Key Features:

• Engaging storyline: The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping viewers guessing until the very end.
• Humorous tone: The series balances its serious themes with plenty of humor, making it a lighthearted and enjoyable watch.
• Creative special effects: Despite its limited budget, the series features impressive special effects that enhance the story.
• Strong fan base: The series has a dedicated fan base that has contributed to its success and longevity.

Where to watch: YouTube (original web series episodes). A feature film adaptation exists.

4. Skam France:

Genre: Teen Drama, Coming-of-Age

Why watch it: “Skam France” is a French adaptation of the Norwegian series “Skam,” which explores the lives of teenagers in high school. Each season focuses on a different character, tackling important issues such as mental health, sexuality, and social pressure.

Key Features:

• Realistic portrayal of teenage life: The series accurately portrays the challenges and triumphs of adolescence, making it relatable to young viewers.
• Diverse characters: The series features a diverse cast of characters from different backgrounds and with different experiences.
• Important social issues: The series tackles important social issues such as mental health, sexuality, and social pressure in a sensitive and informative way.
• Interactive format: The series used social media to engage with viewers, creating a more immersive and interactive experience.

Where to watch: YouTube (official channel).

5. Mental:

Genre: Drama, Mental Health

Why watch it: “Mental” is a groundbreaking series that tackles the often-stigmatized topic of mental health with sensitivity and humor. The series follows a group of teenagers living in a psychiatric hospital, exploring their struggles with various mental illnesses.

Key Features:

• Honest and authentic portrayal of mental illness: The series avoids sensationalizing or romanticizing mental illness, instead offering a realistic and empathetic portrayal of the challenges faced by those who live with it.
• Diverse characters: The series features a diverse cast of characters with different mental illnesses, highlighting the fact that mental health issues can affect anyone.
• Humorous moments: Despite its serious subject matter, the series also features moments of humor, making it a more accessible and enjoyable watch.
• Educational value: The series can help viewers learn more about mental illness and reduce the stigma associated with it.

Where to watch: France TV Slash (requires VPN for viewers outside France).

6. Derby Girl:

Genre: Comedy, Sports

Why watch it: “Derby Girl” is a hilarious and irreverent comedy about a former figure skating champion who joins a roller derby team. Lola Bouvier, the protagonist, is arrogant, competitive, and completely out of her element, leading to plenty of comedic situations.

Key Features:

• Witty writing: The series is full of witty dialogue and clever jokes.
• Strong female lead: Lola Bouvier is a complex and compelling character who challenges traditional gender roles.
• Unique setting: The roller derby setting provides a fresh and exciting backdrop for the story.
• Fast-paced and entertaining: The series is fast-paced and entertaining, keeping viewers engaged from beginning to end.

Where to watch: France TV Slash (requires VPN for viewers outside France).

7. Parlement:

Genre: Comedy, Political Satire

Why watch it: “Parlement” is a witty and insightful comedy that follows a young parliamentary assistant who gets thrown into the chaotic world of European politics. The series satirizes the bureaucratic processes and political maneuvering that take place behind the scenes in the European Parliament.

Key Features:

• Sharp political satire: The series offers a sharp and hilarious critique of European politics.
• Relatable characters: The characters are flawed and relatable, making their struggles and triumphs resonate with viewers.
• Fast-paced and engaging: The series is fast-paced and engaging, keeping viewers entertained from beginning to end.
• Multilingual: The series features dialogue in multiple languages, reflecting the diverse nature of the European Parliament.

Where to watch: France TV Slash (requires VPN for viewers outside France), MHz Choice.

8. Arthur Fléchier:

Genre: Comedy, Mystery

Why watch it: “Arthur Fléchier” is a quirky and charming comedy-mystery series about a socially awkward librarian who becomes an amateur detective. Arthur Fléchier, the protagonist, is obsessed with classic literature and uses his knowledge to solve crimes.

Key Features:

• Unique protagonist: Arthur Fléchier is a unique and endearing character who defies traditional detective stereotypes.
• Clever mysteries: The mysteries are well-written and engaging, keeping viewers guessing until the very end.
• Literary references: The series is full of literary references, adding an extra layer of depth and enjoyment for book lovers.
• Lighthearted tone: The series has a lighthearted and humorous tone, making it a relaxing and enjoyable watch.

Where to watch: France TV Slash (requires VPN for viewers outside France).

9. Germinal:

Genre: Drama, Historical

Why watch it: “Germinal” is a powerful and moving adaptation of Émile Zola’s classic novel about the harsh realities of life for coal miners in 19th-century France. The series is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant portrayal of poverty, exploitation, and social injustice.

Key Features:

• Faithful adaptation: The series is a faithful adaptation of Zola’s novel, capturing the essence of the story and its themes.
• Strong performances: The cast delivers strong performances, bringing the characters to life in a compelling way.
• Visually stunning: The series is visually stunning, with beautiful cinematography and realistic set design.
• Important social commentary: The series offers important social commentary on poverty, exploitation, and social injustice.

Where to watch: Salto (requires subscription and VPN for viewers outside France).

10. Loulou:

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Why watch it: “Loulou” is a French web series that follows the life of a single Parisian woman named Loulou. The series explores themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery in a relatable and humorous way. Loulou navigates the complexities of modern dating, career aspirations, and the challenges of maintaining friendships.

Key Features:

• Relatable protagonist: Loulou is a relatable and endearing character who struggles with many of the same issues as young women today.
• Realistic portrayal of Parisian life: The series offers a realistic and authentic portrayal of Parisian life, capturing the city’s beauty and charm.
• Humorous tone: The series has a lighthearted and humorous tone,