Emily Monaco Last updated: 18 French Christmas Songs to Get into the Spirit of Noël
Looking for ways to keep your French learning jolly?
Listening to French Christmas music can help you get into the holiday spirit while improving your French skills.
Here are 18 French Christmas songs you’re sure to love!
Contents
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Original French Christmas Songs
1. Petit Papa Noël
“Petit Papa Noël” is a French favorite that tells the story of Père Noël (Father Christmas) arriving in the night. Here is the first verse and the chorus (which repeats several times):
C’est la belle nuit de Noël
La neige étend son manteau blanc
Et les yeux levés vers le ciel
À genoux, les petits enfants
Avant de fermer les paupières
Font une dernière prière.
Petit papa Noël
Quand tu descendras du ciel
Avec des jouets par milliers
N’oublie pas mon petit soulier.
Mais avant de partir
Il faudra bien te couvrir
Dehors tu vas avoir si froid
C’est un peu à cause de moi.
It’s the beautiful Christmas night
The snow spreads its white coat
And their eyes raised towards the sky
On their knees, the little children
Before closing their eyelids
Address a last prayer
Little Santa Claus
When you come down from the sky
With thousands of toys
Don’t forget my little stocking.
But before you leave
You should dress well
Outside you will be so cold
And it’s kind of my fault.
Notice the reference to mon petit soulier, or my little slipper. This refers to an old tradition where French children leave their shoes out the night before Christmas, and Père Noël puts gifts into their shoes.
2. Le Bonhomme de Neige
This sweet song describes a child building a snowman after school. Here’s the first bit of the song:
À la sortie de l’école
J’ai fait un très beau bonhomme
Avec un joli cache-col
Droit comme un majordome
N’avait pas de culotte
N’avait aucune allure
N’avait pas de redingote
Ni de paire de chaussures
English Translation:
At the end of school
I made a handsome snowman
With a lovely scarf
Standing straight and tall as a butler
He didn’t have any pants
Didn’t look all that nice
He didn’t have a coat
Or a pair of shoes
I’m sure you noticed some unfamiliar vocabulary words—cache-col, culotte and redingote—you’re likely to find them in 19th century literature but less so in your modern textbook.
The first is an old-fashioned word for a scarf, the second a type of pants, and the third a riding coat.
3. Le Sentier de Neige
This beautiful song is an original French carol and describes snow in the forest and proclamations of love:
Where frozen firs dance in procession
Protects our jealous love
I tell you I love you in the peace of the woods
Protects our jealous love
I tell you I love you in the peace of the woods
4. Entre le Bœuf et l’Âne Gris
This is one of the oldest Christmas carols that exists, dating back to as early as the 13th century.
It’s based on the Bible story of the birth of Jesus and talks about the presence of the cow and the donkey at the scene:
Entre le bœuf et l’âne gris
Dort, dort, dort le petit fils,
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand Dieu d’amour.
Entre les pastoureaux jolis,
Dort, dort, dort le petit fils,
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand Dieu d’amour.
Entre les roses et les lys,
Dort, dort, dort le petit fils,
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand Dieu d’amour.
Entre les deux bras de Marie,
Dort, dort, dort le petit fils,
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand Dieu d’amour.
English Translation:
Between the ox and the gray donkey,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphs
Fly around this great God of love.
Between the nice shepherds,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphs
Fly around this great God of love.
Between roses and lilies,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphs
Fly around this great God of love.
Between the two arms of Mary
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphs
Fly around this great God of love.
5. Les Anges dans Nos Campagnes
While this one may sound familiar, you may not know that this song was originally French, and the English “Angels We Have Heard on High” is what we sing in English, but I’ve provided the literal translation.
Here are the first two verses and chorus:
Les anges dans nos campagnes
Ont entonné l’hymne des cieux,
Et l’écho de nos montagnes
Redit ce chant mélodieux :
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Bergers, pour qui cette fête ?
Quel est l’objet de tous ces chants ?
Quel vainqueur, quelle conquête
Mérite ces cris triomphants :
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
English Translation:
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
6. Minuit Chrétiens
Yet another one you may have heard in English (O Holy Night) but didn’t realize it was originally French.
However, the literal translation of “Minuit Chrétiens” is much different than what we sing in English. Here’s the first half of the song:
Minuit, chrétiens, c’est l’heure solennelle,
Où l’Homme-Dieu descendit jusqu’à nous
Pour effacer la tache originelle
Et de Son Père arrêter le courroux.
Le monde entier tressaille d’espérance
En cette nuit qui lui donne un Sauveur.
Peuple à genoux, attends ta délivrance.
Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur,
Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur !
Midnight, Christians, it’s the solemn hour,
When God-man descended to us
To erase the stain of original sin
And to end the wrath of His Father.
The entire world thrills with hope
On this night that gives it a Savior.
People kneel down, wait for your deliverance.
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!
7. Venez Divin Messie
Another very old French carol, this song has been sung since the 16th century.
Not exactly the most cheerful song, it asks Jesus for forgiveness and blessings. Here’s the first verse and the chorus:
Ah. Descendez, hâtez Vos pas;
Sauvez les hommes du trépas,
Secourez-nous, ne tardez pas.
Dans une peine extrême,
Gémissent nos cœurs affligés.
Venez Bonté Suprême,
Venez, venez, venez.
Venez Divin Messie
Sauvez nos jours infortunés,
Venez source de Vie
Venez, venez, venez !
English Translation:
Ah. Descend, hasten Thy steps;
Save mankind from death,
Rescue us, do not delay.
In an extreme pain
Our afflicted hearts groan.
Come Supreme Goodness,
Come, come, come.
Come Divine Messiah,
Save our unfortunate days,
Come, source of Life,
Come, come, come.
8. La Nuit
This hymn was made popular in the 1960s by Belgian singer Salvatore Adamo. He also released an Italian and Spanish version.
Here are the first few verses and chorus:
Je passe mes nuits à te maudire
Et quand la lune se retire
J’ai l’âme vide et le cœur lourd, lourd
Je tends les bras pour te saisir
Mais tu prends un malin plaisir
À te jouer de mes avances
Je deviens fou
Je deviens fou
9. La Marche des Rois
Another song with biblical origins, this carol reflects on the journey that the three wise men made to witness the birth of Jesus.
This is the first verse:
De bon matin
J’ai rencontré le train
De trois grands rois qui allaient en voyage.
De bon matin
J’ai rencontré le train
De trois grands rois dessus le grand chemin.
Venaient d’abord
Les gardes du corps,
Des gens armés avec trente petits pages,
Venaient d’abord
Les gardes du corps,
Des gens armés dessus leurs justaucorps.
English Translation:
Early in the morning
I came across the procession
Of three great kings going on a journey.
Early in the morning
I came across the procession
Of three great kinds on the great road.
First there came
The troup of guards,
Armed men, with thirty little pages;
First there came
The troup of guards,
Men armed atop their tunics.
10. C’est Noël
This modern pop carol rejoices in that Christmas spirit and the peace and joy you feel on this holiday!
The first two verses and the chorus are:
French Translations of Christmas Songs
11. Vive le Vent
Listen to “Vive le vent” and you might soon be singing a different tune.
This song is based off of the American classic “Jingle Bells,” but the lyrics are very different. Much like English, it’s typical to just sing the chorus:
Vive le vent, vive le vent,
vive le vent d’hiver
qui s’en va sifflant, soufflant
dans les grands sapins verts.
Vive le temps, vive le temps,
vive le temps d’hiver
boules de neige et jour de l’an
et bonne année grand-mère.
English Translation:
Long live the wind, long live the wind
Long live the winter wind
That whistles and blows
Into the green pine trees
Long live the weather, long live the weather
Long live the winter weather
Snowballs and New Year’s Day
And Happy New Year grandmother!
This is a catchy tune that’s fairly easy to learn if you already know “Jingle Bells.” It starts being played in France at Christmastime, even though it’s more of a New Year’s song.
12. Douce Nuit
“Douce Nuit” is yet another song you’ll likely recognize, as it’s sung to the tune of “Silent Night.”
These are the first two verses:
Douce nuit, sainte nuit !
Dans les cieux ! L’astre luit.
Le mystère annoncé s’accomplit
Cet enfant sur la paille endormi,
C’est l’amour infini !
C’est l’amour infini !
Saint enfant, doux agneau !
Qu’il est grand ! Qu’il est beau !
Entendez résonner les pipeaux
Des bergers conduisant leurs troupeaux
Vers son humble berceau !
Vers son humble berceau !
English Translation:
Sweet night, holy night!
In the heavens the star shines.
The announced rite has been fulfilled,
This child asleep on the straw
Is infinite love!
Is infinite love!
Holy child, sweet lamb!
How great! How beautiful!
Hear the sound of the reed-pipes,
Of the shepherds who lead their flocks
To his humble cradle!
To his humble cradle!
Although the lyrics are different, you’ll notice that the tone of adoration for baby Jesus remains.
13. Il Est Né le Divin Enfant
Though not as popular to English speakers, this is not an originally French song. In fact, it’s Polish, but there is an English translation you may have heard before.
English Translation:
14. Le Petit Renne au Nez Rouge
This English classic is one that you’ve surely heard before! “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” is a favorite amongst kids and just as popular in France!
This fun character actually originated out of a marketing scheme for coloring books!
Here is the main part of the song that everybody knows:
On l’appelait « Nez Rouge »
Ah ! Comme il était mignon
Le p’tit renne au nez rouge
Rouge comme un lumignon.
Son p’tit nez faisait rire
Chacun s’en moquait beaucoup
On allait jusqu’à dire
Qu’il aimait boire un p’tit coup.
English Translation:
They called him “Red Nose”
Oh! He was so cute
The little reindeer with a red nose
Red like a little light.
His little nose made you laugh
Everyone made fun of it
They even said
That he liked to drink a little.
15. Noël Blanc
This dreamy carol probably reminds you of Michael Bublé… but the French version makes the lyrics sound even more comforting!
The English original actually came out in 1942 and featured Bing Crosby. The French translation wasn’t released until 1949:
English Translation:
16. J’ai Vu Maman Embrasser le Père Noël
The Jackson 5’s version of this song is likely what will come to mind when you hear this tune, but the family group weren’t the first to sing this song.
Jimmy Boyd first sang it to the public in 1952 and Line Renaud brought it to the French in 1956. These are the first two verses:
Moi, j’ai vu petite maman hier soir
En train d’embrasser le Père Noël.
Ils étaient sous le gui
Et me croyaient endormi
Mais sans en avoir l’air,
J’avais mes deux yeux entr’ouverts.
Ah si papa était v’nu à passer
Je m’demande ce qu‘il aurait pensé.
Aurait-il trouvé naturel
Parce qu’il descend du ciel
Que maman embrasse le Père Noël.
English Translation:
I saw Mommy last night
Kissing Santa Claus.
They were under the mistletoe
And thought I was asleep
But without looking like it,
I had my two eyes half-open.
Oh if Daddy had happened by
I wonder what he would have thought.
If he would have found it normal
Because he comes down from the sky
That Mommy kisses Santa Claus.
17. Etoile des Neiges
This is an original German Christmas carol that emerged in 1940, but it was soon adopted by the French in 1949.
Although more of a love song, the comparisons to snow can certainly induce some Christmas spirit. These are the first two verses:
English Translation:
18. Medley de Noël
Of course, if none of these is really piquing your interest for the holidays, you might be more interested by Garou’s interpretation of a combination of French and English Christmas songs: “Medley Chants de Noël.”
The Québécois singer has united some of his favorite Christmas songs in both languages, offering you a chance to sample the translation stylings of a truly bilingual singer!
Now you have 18 great French Christmas songs to add to your holiday playlist this year!
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
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