We instantly think of France in relation to fine cuisine and wine. But when it comes to music, can you think of many French singers? Well, you’re not alone! However, that doesn’t mean that France hasn’t produced some incredible talent.
What may surprise you is that France has produced musical talent of epic proportions, just like fine wine. And although you may not recognize their names instantly, when you click on the video link, you’ll likely have that “Aha!” moment.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at the lives and careers of 30 of the greatest and most famous French singers of all time. Let’s get started.
1. Edith Piaf
Édith Giovanna Gassion, best known as Édith Piaf, is perhaps the most iconic of the voices of France. La Vie en Rose sings to audiences worldwide; even 76 years later, her songs resonate, and her voice still captivates.
Perhaps the reason behind the emotional drama in Piaf’s voice is that her entire life was fraught with trauma. Piaf was sent to live with her grandmother who was a Madame and ran a brothel.
When her father returned from WW1, he took her with him to perform on the streets of France. She was discovered by a club owner while performing in Pigalle.
Her entire career remained on a rocky foundation, but she became internationally renowned after WW2. She wrote and collaborated with composers on several songs she wrote lyrics for, and indulged in many affairs with famous men.
Related: Next, see our female French singers article here.
2. Nicolas Reyes
Surprisingly, Nicolas Reyes is not Spanish like his famous Spanish songs performed with the Gipsy Kings. Reyes has strong Spanish roots but was born in Arles, France.
Reyes’s unique and smokey voice and skill on the guitar turned him into one of the world’s most well-known flamenco singers and guitarists.
Though his music is influenced by traditional Spanish, flamenco, and Latin American rumba, he and his band added their contemporary spin, which launched them on the international scene with hits like “Volare” and “Bamboleo” during the 1980s.
3. Bertrand Cantat
Bertrand Cantat, frontman of the band Noir Desir, is perhaps as famous for his manslaughter conviction of French actress Marie Trintignant in 2003, for which he spent four years in jail.
But he’s also known for being a singer and guitarist, and he and Niur Desir reached the pinnacle of their career during the 1980s and ’90s, achieving Platinum and Gold status with their albums.
The Normandy native reunited with the band after his release from jail, which eventually disbanded in 2010. Cantat and Noir Desir influence many rising stars like Cali, Louise Attaque, and Miossec. Perhaps you hear a bit of Talking Heads too?
4. Cali
Bruno Caliciuri goes by the professional singer name Cali and is an active participant in the French music scene. Born in Perpignan, Cali now makes his home in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
Influenced by Irish punk, Cali has produced three albums and has been a member of several bands. Bass, drums, and guitar traditionally accompany his rock-pop music style.
However, Cali likes to experiment with violin, sax, trumpet, and even trombone to add more layers to his sound and create a folk-jazz fusion, like in the song “C’est quand le bonheur,” which speaks to the disillusionment of adolescence and the lost dream of becoming a professional rugby player.
5. Christophe Miossec
As a teen, Christophe Miossec had enjoyed success touring in his hometown, Brest, in Britanny, with his band Printemps Noir. Later, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature and eventually landed in Paris after a few unsuccessful stints in the working world.
Miossec took a few segues before producing an album with guitarist Guillaume Jouan. His first minimalist album resonated with fans and sold over 90,000 copies, launching Miossec into stardom.
His second album failed to please his original fans and didn’t receive his first widespread success. He struggled to find his footing with the following six albums.
However, for his fifth album, Miossec performed with the backing of a symphony orchestra, which surprised his audience. The singer is perhaps the epitome perfectionist who has talent but is weighted by his insecurities.
7. Johnny Hallyday
Jean-Philippe Léo Smet, a.k.a. Johnny Hallyday, was born into occupied Paris during World War II. He brought rock and roll to the main stage in France, becoming known as the French Elvis.
Hallyday’s career spanned over 57 years. He recorded 79 albums and sold 110 million records to mainly French audiences. His Wall of Fame includes five Diamond albums, 40 Gold records, 22 Platinum, and 10 Victoires de la Musique awards.
Aside from his many successes, Hallyday sang 540 duets, played the piano and guitar, and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.
His French rendition of “Let’s Twist Again” topped European charts. Jimmy Hendrix and The Experience opened for Hallyday in 1966, and Jimmy Page worked as a session musician on Hallyday’s album.
8. Eddy Mitchell
Christened Claude Moine in Paris, Mitchell took the pseudonym Eddy Mitchell and was a member of the band Les Chaussettes Noires. He took on a bad-boy American image so popular during the 1950s.
Their first album was an instant success, selling 2 million copies in 1961. However, he set out on a solo career in 1963.
Mitchell often recorded outside France and worked with notable musicians like Jimmy Page and famous UK drummer Bobby Graham. Whenever he recorded in the US, Mitchell worked with the most legendary (still) session musicians from that era.
Mitchell was a big fan of American movies, and he hosted a television program featuring American cinema called La Dernière Séance.
9. Julien Doré
French singer Julien Doré was born in Alès (Gard, Occitanie) and is the founding member of the band Dig Up Elvis. Highly educated in literature, Doré also became a band member of a cover band.
He also participated in the fifth season of Nouvelle Star and won against Tigane. Doré has released three successful studio albums with top-four rankings on the French album chart.
In 2007, he was named the 15th sexiest man on Elle magazine’s list. He also coached contestants on the French version of The Voice.
10. Sylvie Vartan
Although she was born in Bulgaria during turbulent times, Sylvie Vartan is a much-loved French singer. She was highly productive as a ye-ye (yeah-yeah) artist and often incorporated highly choreographed dance routines into her performance.
She toured with her husband Johnny Hallyday during the 1960s and ’70s with a vast audience. Under her recording contract with RCA, she was the second most prolific artist after Elvis.
In 2004 after a long hiatus, Vartan transitioned to jazz. Throughout her career, she sold over 50 million records. Her works has made her a true icon in the French music industry.
11. Melanie Pain
French Indie-Pop Singer Melanie Pain was born in Caen. She performs solo and with the band Nouvelle Vague, a French new-wave cover band, who discovered her accidentally through a demo.
After singing English songs for the band, Pain began singing in English and French. Then in 2009, she released her first album, My Name, with a guest appearance by Julien Doré and other artists.
Pain’s musical influences include The Pixies, Sonic Youth, and Nick Drake. Since her debut album, she has since released two more and currently continues to create music.
12. ZaZ
Isabelle Geffroy, known in the European music industry by the stage name ZaZ, is a jazz singer who trespasses on soul and acoustic music and has a voice that sounds like a trumpet.
ZaZ studied music at the Conservatoire de Tours, focusing on violin, piano, guitar, and choral singing. Her style is influenced by the Four Seasons, Ella Fitzgerald, and Enrico Macias.
She toured Europe extensively and has joined several bands and music groups, always bringing her unusual style to the mix.
ZaZ’s debut album reached double Platinum, and in 2015, she won the Echo Award for best international female rock/pop artist.
13. Nekfeu
Ken Samaras is a Greek-Scottish French-born rapper and hip-hop artist named Nekfeu. He’s a member of the bands L’entourage, 1995, and a list of other hip-hop musical groups.
His debut solo album, Feu, won the Best Urban Music Album in 2016, and his third album made the French top 20. In his hit single, “Tricheur,” Nekfeu collaborates with Belgian rapper Damso. He’s also performed with Ed Sheeran.
Nekfeu appeals to his audience for his highly personal and politically loaded songs. Music aside, he’s also dipped his toe into the acting world and starred opposite the legendary Catherine Deneuve.
14. Eddy de Pretto
Have you heard of a non-genre singer? If not, let us introduce you to Eddy de Pretto. The singer likes to focus his songs about growing up in Beaulieu, where many of the stereotypes he addresses are rooted.
Beaulieu is a fringe town or ghetto, and de Pretto lived under pressure that he wouldd never surmount to anything. His mother enrolled him in theater because he didn’t enjoy sports, which introduced him to acting, singing, vocal training, and piano.
Pretto’s songwriting career found its wings when he turned 18 and made his first singing debut doing his rendition of R. Kelly’s “I believe I Can Fly,” albeit he later said his nerves were on edge.
In 2018, he sang with Julien Doré and was nominated in the Best Newcomer Stage Act category. Although he didn’t win, his song “Normal,” about his sexuality, became a bestseller ahead of Julien Doré’s top song.
15. Lomepal
In reference to his pale complexion, Antoine Valentinelli took on the stage name Lomepal as a moniker. He grew up in Paris’ 13th arrondissement, famous for its vibrant cultural flair.
The rapper and hip-hop artist has successfully recorded 5 EPs and two studio albums, Flip and Jeannine, both of which are certified double-Platinum records.
His prolific live performance schedule in 2017 garnered him 100 million YouTube views. Lomepal continues to excel in his work; his latest album, Mauvais ordre, was released in 2023 and peaked at the top spot of France’s album chart.
16. M
Matthieu Chedid hides behind his famous name and uses the initial “M” as his stage name, pronounced “aime,” meaning love. Growing up in the western suburbs of Paris, Chedid comes from a musical family. His father, sisters, and brother are active and thriving in the French music industry.
A talented musician, Chedid not just plays the bass, but also the guitar, keyboards, drums, and kazoo. He is also a rock singer. Throughout his performing career, he has collaborated with NTM, Sinclair, Sean Lennon, and famous French singer Vanessa Paradis.
Chedid is one of the most awarded singers in France, having received 13 Victoires de las Musique. His portfolio includes numerous other awards: best video, best album, best tour, and so much more.
17. Vanessa Paradis
In France, Vanessa Chantal Paradis is a household name. To cut the suspense, Paradis was a longtime partner of famed actor Johnny Depp.
She rose to stardom at 14 years when her single “Joe le taxi” took France by storm in 1987. By the time she was 18, she had received the highest honor when she was granted the Prix Romy Scheider (actress) and Cesar Award for Most Promising Actress.
Her beautiful face has graced the cover of 300 magazines, including Vogue, Elle, and Vanity Fair, and her awards in her illustrious career—both singing and acting—are endless.
18. Serge Gainsbourg
Lucien Ginsburg changed his name to Serge Gainsbourg, and it is this name that is associated with many successful French musicians. Controversial for his time, his complex and scandalous music divided public opinion.
Gainsbourg is a multi-faceted artist, singer, songwriter, poet, pianist, writer, and filmmaker who transcended genres. He experimented with jazz, chanson, yé-yé, rock, funk, and reggae. He even collaborated with Brigitte Bardot for the recording of “Bonnie and Clyde.”
Over his career that lasted a litte more than three decades, Gainsbourg wrote 550 songs and is a celebrated French icon in the music industry. His eclectic style and repertoire make him one of the world’s most influential musicians.
19. Jain
Jeanne Louise Galice goes by the stage name Jain. She is an accomplished singer and guitarist whose music is influenced by accompanying her father on work assignments to locations like Dubai, Congo-Brazzaville, and Abu Dhabi. She learned how to play drums in Pau, France.
Her professional musical journey began when French musician Yodelice invited her to Paris and produced many of Jain’s songs. In fact, her song “Come” is Diamond-certified and popular in Spain and France.
She has performed on Stephen Colbert’s and Jools Holland’s TV shows and sang at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Jain also has a strong interest in music programming after meeting Mr. Flash, a French record producer. Additionally, she is a talented graphic/computer designer.
20. Yodelice
Maxime Rodolphe Nouchy, a.k.a. Maxim Nuccy, a.k.a. Yodelice, is a famous French singer born in an eastern suburb of Paris.
Yodelice performs in English and received his early training for piano and guitar at a music conservatory when he was only six years. When he turned 15, he entered the London Musician Institute and became their youngest teacher on record in 1994 after graduating.
In 2009, he made his debut with the album Tree of Life. He has since produced four more albums. “Sunday with a Flu” is one of his best songs that was a hit in France, Belgium, and Switzerland.
21. Manu Chao
Jose Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao Ortea, best known as Oscar Tramor or Manu Chao, is an amazingly talented French-born Spanish musician. A multi-instrumental artist, he plays keyboard, bass, guitar, and sings.
Manu Chao’s style is reflective of his multicultural heritage. He sings in Spanish, French, English, Italian, and Portuguese, among others languages.
His career began as a street busker, and this transitioned into Latin alternative, reggae, ska, and world beat. Influenced by British bands like The Clash, Chao has been a band member in several musical groups.
He performed with Toots & the Maytals (won a Grammy) and with music legends like Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Gwen Stefani/No Doubt, Bonnie Raitt, and Keith Richards.
22. Sandrine Piau
From Issy-les-Moulineaux, France, Sandrine Piau is a famous soprano diva with an exceptional range and versatility, allowing her to perform complex operatic songs.
Piau’s specialty is Baroque and worked with conductors notable in the Baroque’s revival, like Marc Minkowski and René Jacobs. She has sung in several famous operas by Mozart (Pamina in The Magic Flute), Offenbach (Wanda in La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein), and Weber (Ännchen in Der Freischütz).
Although she is dedicated to performing live operas, Piau also has an extensive studio portfolio, having worked with several recording labels like Naïve Records and Deutsche Harmonia Mundi.
Piau had the distinguished honor of receiving the Ordre des Artes et des Lettres from the Government of France in 2006.
23. Vincent Niclo
Next up, we have Vincent Niclo, who was born in Paris to a family of artists. This French pop opera tenor singer followed his passion for theater early, and he also studied modern dance.
Niclo performs classical crossover and pop opera, having had roles in the French version of Titanic, Tristan and Iseult, and Roméo et Juliette. As a solo artist, he has recorded and released eight albums and ten singles, all to moderate success.
Niclo had the distinguished honor of opening for Celine Dion on her tour in Paris. He has also performed at the Kremlin and toured with the Red Army Choir in 2013 for 37 concerts and received a triple Platinum Award for his performance.
24. Jean-Jacques Goldman
Another legend in French music, Jean-Jacques Goldman has been active since 1975. Goldman studied classical music as a child before shifting his interests to rock and roll and folk music. He got his first start in the industry as a member of the band Taï Phong, where he sang and played the violin.
Goldman set out on a solo career, as he desired to make music in French. His career took off quickly, with fans gravitating toward his unusual singing style and bucking of stylish trends.
Though critics are a bit critical about his music, he carved out an impressive career and is one of the highest-grossing living French pop-rock artists.
25. Brigitte Bardot
Though fans across the country recognize her work as an actress, Brigitte Bardot did have a singing career around the 1960s and ’70s.
The most famous sex symbol in French history first rose to startdom as a celebrated actress in post-war France. Bardot got her big break with the 1956 musical Naughty Girl. The movie helped showcase her talents as both an actress and singer.
From there, she continued to work in film, both musical and regular, and record music (5 studio albums) until she retired from entertainment in 1973. Since retirement, Bardot has become an animal rights activist.
26. Charles Trenet
From Narbonne, France, Charles Trenet is one of the most prolific songwriters in history who started his career shortly before the outbreak of World War II. He created a duo with Swiss pianist Johnny Hess before briefly pausing his music to serve in the French army during the war.
After the war, Trenet moved to America and began work as a solo artist. His career took off in a new country, and he etched his place as a famous French singer.
Trenet’s career spanned over 60 years, and he wrote lyrics to around 1,000 songs during that time. Some of his best-known songs are “Boum,” “La Mer,” and “Y’d d’la joie.”
27. France Gall
Isabelle Geneviève Marie Anne Gall—or France Gall, as she was best known—was destined for musical success with her family tree containing several musicians.
When she was only 17, Gall won the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest representing Luxembourg. The victory made her an overnight success and helped ignite her music career. Gall went on tour in France shortly after the win and became one of the best-known yé-yé singers in French history.
The genre took inspiration from rock musicians like the Beatles to create a unique sound. Gall recorded several successful yé-yé songs thanks to her collaborations with singer-songwriter Michel Berger.
28. Mylène Farmer
Our next singer, Mylène Farmer, proved that you do not have to be born in the country to become a famous French singer. She was born in Quebec before her French parents moved back to their homeland while Farmer was still young.
Farmer quickly developed an affinity for modeling and acting and pursued a career in entertainment. Her debut single, “Marman a tort,” helped her get her foot in the door of the music industry.
Her second album, Ainsi soit je…, was a smash hit for the young artist and made Farmer an overnight sensation. Since then, she has become one of the best-selling artists in France.
29. Dalida
Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti, a.k.a. Dalida, had a short career but a highly successful one. The singer shares French and Italian ancestry and is one of the best-selling artists in both countries.
Dalida was born in Egypt and spent most of her childhood in Cairo before moving to Paris in 1954 to pursue an entertainment career. When it proved difficult to land an acting job, she tried her hand at singing—obviously to great success!
Dalida was one of the few artists to become an overnight success. She recorded the song “Bambino” shortly after signing with the Barclay record company. The song was a hit for her and gave her the runway to continue exploring a career in music. Later in her life, Dalida worked in films until her suicide in 1987.
30. Françoise Hardy
We end our list with Françoise Hardy, one of the most important figures in French pop music. In the 1960s, Hardy became the voice of the youth of the country, and her music embodied the hopes and dreams of new adults.
Hardy first became interested in music when she heard the music of Paul Anka and Elvis Presley on the radio. After signing with her first label, she had her first break with the ballad “Tous les garçons et les filles” in 1962.
She continued recorded a string of popular records throughout the 1960s while living in London before seeking new heights as an artist. Hardy managed to be one of the few French singers to achieve success outside of the country, with fans from across the globe.
Summing Up Our List Of Great French Singers
From rock to jazz to their own rock-and-roll subgenre yé-yé, these French singers proved they had (or continue to have) what it takes to be famous and influential in the music industry.
Each of their unique work helped extend the reach of French culture to other places worldwide, gaining French music an international following.
However, our list is just the tip of the iceberg. Let us know who we missed, and we’ll add them for you!
