From sun-drenched Provençal villages and the glamorous French Riviera to Normandy’s lush green countryside and the majestic châteaux of the Loire Valley, check out these French films that will make you want to go to France.
French films & documentaries guaranteed to inspire a little French dreaming
Warning – there’s something about watching a French film that can make you want to pack your bags, sell your house and start a new life in France – whether it’s the sight of a little village square where café tables spill onto the pavement, the sound of cicadas in Provence, the sight of a boulangerie with golden croissants piled in the window, or the Mediterranean sparkling beneath a cloudless blue sky.
Of course, real life in France isn’t (always) like the movies. French bureaucracy – that’s all we will say. But it’s more than made up for by the way of life, wonderful street markets, a diversity of beautiful landscapes, mouthwatering food, superb local wines – and art de vivre – the appreciation of the little pleasures in life.
We asked the experts at France Channel TV to recommend films and documentaries that are sure to have you dreaming of moving to France, planning a holiday or simply indulging in a bit of armchair travel.
You can watch all these films (and heaps more) on France Channel TV, a streaming service available in the UK and US that’s dedicated to French films, television series and documentaries.
From heartwarming family stories to laugh-out-loud comedies, glorious landscapes and mouthwatering culinary adventures, here’s their pick of films and programmes that might just make you fall in love with France – or fall in love with it all over again.
French films that will make you want to go to France
Knock (2017): If your dream of France involves a pretty village, colourful local characters Knock is perfect! Starring Omar Sy, this comedy tells the story of a former conman who reinvents himself as a doctor in a small French town in the 1950s. Charming, clever and not entirely scrupulous, Dr Knock discovers that convincing perfectly healthy people they’re ill can be a rather profitable business. But his carefully constructed new life is threatened when someone from his past reappears.
The film is filled with the sort of village life that makes rural France so appealing: old-fashioned shops, narrow streets, familiar faces and a community where everyone knows everyone else’s secrets.
My Father’s Glory (1990) – the magic of Provence: If ever there were a film to make you want to move to Provence, My Father’s Glory (La Gloire de Mon Père) must be a strong contender. Based on the autobiographical writings of beloved French author Marcel Pagnol, this beautiful film transports viewers to Provence at the beginning of the 20th century. You can almost smell the rosemary and wild herbs crushed beneath your feet, hear the cicadas singing in the trees and feel the heat rising from the pale limestone hills. It’s a wonderfully nostalgic celebration of childhood, family and the beauty of the Provençal countryside. Watch it and you’ll be dreaming of a little stone house with blue shutters, a terrace shaded by olive trees and long summer evenings beneath the stars.
My Mother’s Castle (1990) – more Provençal magic: The sequel to My Father’s Glory, My Mother’s Castle (Le Château de Ma Mère) continues Marcel Pagnol’s affectionate memories of his childhood in Provence. The warm stone houses, dusty tracks, fragrant hillsides and brilliant Mediterranean light make you want to step straight through the screen.
Belle and Sebastian: Next Generation (2022) – adventure in the French mountains: For those who dream of escaping to the mountains, this film offers different vision of life in France. Ten-year-old Sébastien reluctantly leaves the city to spend his holidays in the mountains with his grandmother and aunt. There, he meets Belle, a magnificent Pyrenean mountain dog who is being mistreated by her owner. As a friendship develops between the boy and the dog, Sébastien discovers courage, independence and a love of the natural world.
The scenery is breathtaking: towering mountains, lush valleys, rushing streams and wide-open spaces where the air seems impossibly fresh. It’s the sort of film that makes you long for a simpler life surrounded by nature, where mornings begin with mountain views and afternoons are spent walking along forest trails.
The Case (Villa Caprice) (2020) – intrigue on the French Riviera: A compelling legal thriller set against the backdrop of wealth, power and privilege.
The glamorous setting, including an extraordinary luxury villa, provides a striking contrast to the darker themes of the story. It’s a world of beautiful properties, elegant surroundings and the seductive allure of life on the Mediterranean coast. While most of us aren’t planning to move into a multimillion-euro Riviera villa, the film offers a tantalising glimpse of the architectural beauty and coastal lifestyle that make the south of France so desirable.
Naked Normandy (2018): this quirky comedy showcases the irresistible charm of rural France that’s perfect for anyone who dreams of buying an old farmhouse, picturesque villages, growing vegetables, shopping at village markets and becoming part of a close-knit community,
As the mayor of a small Norman village struggles with an agricultural crisis, a famous American photographer arrives and proposes an unusual project involving the local villagers posing naked for a photograph
French documentaries to inspire your next adventure
Sometimes, though, fiction simply isn’t enough. If you’re seriously thinking about moving to France or want to discover which region might be right for you, documentaries can be even more inspiring.
From tiny villages to magnificent castles, bustling food markets and glorious countryside, these programmes reveal the incredible variety of landscapes and lifestyles that make France such a special place to live.
The Favourite Village of the French – If you’ve ever dreamed of buying a little stone cottage in a picturesque French village, this is the series for you. Presented by Stéphane Bern, a much-loved French television personality and heritage enthusiast, the programme introduces viewers to places where history, architecture, tradition and community spirit are very much alive. Think cobbled lanes lined with honey-coloured houses, ancient churches, flower-filled squares and cafés where the locals go. It’s a great way to explore France beyond the famous destinations and perhaps discover a village you’ve never heard of but suddenly can’t stop thinking about.
Be warned: you may find yourself browsing French property websites before the credits roll.
Culinary Road Trip – One of the greatest pleasures of living in France is the food. And Culinary Road Trip is a delicious introduction to the country’s extraordinary gastronomic heritage. The series takes viewers on a journey through French culinary traditions, discovering regional specialities, local producers and the people who keep traditional recipes alive.
Watch this series and you’ll soon understand why French gastronomy is recognised by UNESCO as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage.
And you’ll probably be hungry by the end of every episode.
100 Must See Places: Wonders of the Southwest – Take a journey through France, perfect for nature-lovers, history buffs, everyone fascinated by ancient buildings and all who appreciate good food and authentic produce. The programme explores every corner of France taking you to medieval villages, magnificent castles, vineyards, through glorious countryside and showcasing regional gastronomy.
Beautiful Getaway – The Loire: Valley of Castles – If your dream of France involves romantic châteaux, beautiful gardens, riverside villages and elegant countryside, the Loire Valley might just steal your heart.
Paris, The City of Lights – you are very likely to fall in love with the French capital as the programme reveals the extraordinary beauty and cultural heritage of the French capital.
From grand boulevards and elegant architecture to historic monuments, charming neighbourhoods and the banks of the Seine, Paris is spectacular – but it’s the everyday details that often make you dream of living there.
The little cafés with their wicker chairs facing the street. The neighbourhood boulangeries, where the smell of freshly baked bread drifts onto the pavement. The bookshops, flower markets, hidden courtyards and tiny restaurants tucked into centuries-old buildings.
Discover the France of your dreams with France Channels
Visit the France Channel website to explore what’s on offer and sign up for your free trial. You can then take out an annual or monthly subscription – at a seriously tempting price – and you can cancel at any time. And to celebrate their UK launch, France Channel are offering The Good Life France readers a 30% discount on the already great price of just £69.99 for an annual subscription – just quote 30GLFUK. This code works also for our US readers where prices are $8.99/month and $79.99/year.
You can stream all France Channel content on your computer, on Android TV and Apple TV. There’s also a France Channel mobile app, available on both iOS and Android app stores, so you can watch however and wherever suits you. You can also buy a subscription directly from Amazon Prime Video Channels; and in the US only, from Roku Channels, Xumo, or Xfinity.
