If there's one thing I'm convinced about, it's that learning French should be an enjoyable experience if you want to stay motivated in the long run. I always tell my students that one of the best ways to make it enjoyable is by immersing yourself in content you genuinely like. Here are five French competition and reality shows that I personally enjoy watching in my free time to relax and recommend for intermediate to advanced speakers. You can watch them on M6 Replay if you’re in France (or using a VPN set to France) or find them on YouTube if you are somewhere else in the world. Whether you're into intense culinary contests or immersive home-hunting experiences, M6 has something to offer.
1. Top Chef France
- Description: Top Chef is a high-stakes cooking competition where talented chefs face off in a series of culinary challenges. Hosted by Stéphane Rotenberg, a famous French presenter, the show showcases mouth-watering dishes and the skills of some of the best chefs in France.
- Why Watch? The creativity and culinary skills on display are truly inspiring. It’s perfect for food lovers and anyone interested in the art of cooking. It's also great for learning new food-related expressions and more casual speech.
2. Pékin Express
- Description: Pékin Express is an exciting adventure reality show where contestants travel across foreign countries with a limited budget and overcome many challenges along the way. Hosted by Stéphane Rotenberg (the same presenter as Top Chef), it’s a great way to explore different cultures from the comfort of your home.
- Why Watch? The blend of adventure, competition, and cultural discovery makes for a great watch. It offers a unique perspective on the countries visited and the challenges faced by the contestants.
3. Recherche Appartement ou Maison
- Description: In Recherche Appartement ou Maison, potential buyers search for their dream home with the help of real estate professionals. Hosted by Stéphane Plaza, a famous real estate agent turned TV presenter, the show guides participants through the process of finding the perfect property. If you liked L'Agence (another show I highly recommend!), I'm sure you will also enjoy this show.
- Why Watch? It’s a great way to see a variety of properties and get real estate tips. Whether you’re house-hunting or simply enjoy property shows, this program offers plenty of inspiration.
4. Maison à Vendre
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Description: Maison à Vendre, another hit from Stéphane Plaza, follows homeowners looking to sell their properties. The show focuses on preparing homes for sale, from renovations to staging, to attract potential buyers.
Why Watch? This show provides valuable insights into home selling and showcases impressive transformations that can motivate and guide anyone preparing to sell their property. Plus, it's highly entertaining with its dramatic before-and-after reveals.
5. Le Meilleur Pâtissier
- Description: Le Meilleur Pâtissier, an adaptation of The Great British Bake Off, is a baking competition where amateur bakers compete to create the best pastries and cakes. Hosted by Marie Portolano, and featuring Mercotte and Cyril Lignac, two famous French pastry chefs, this feel-good show highlights baking techniques and delicious creations but is also extremely fun to watch.
- Why Watch? With its mouth-watering desserts and creative challenges, this show is a treat for anyone interested in baking. It’s also a great way to learn baking-related vocabulary, get inspired by new techniques, or try out new recipes.
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Image sources:
Main image: Chef Pâtissier
All other photos from the article: M6