French Ciné Club, the cinema podcast to improve your French
French Ciné Club is the Clap Français podcast: in each episode, Marion Trotté, a qualified French teacher, presents a French film in natural spoken French, for intermediate and advanced learners (B1 to C1). It is free, and transcripts are available.
What the podcast does for your French
A French podcast made for learners, without textbook French: you hear the language the way people actually speak it.
Real spoken French
The rhythm, the linking and the swallowed words of everyday French.
Vocabulary in context
Words come up in a real conversation, not in a list.
French culture
The films, references and debates that matter in France.
A short format
7 to 20 minutes: one episode fits in a commute or a break.
How to listen to an episode in 3 steps
Listening passively helps a little. Listening with a method helps a lot more.
No support
Listen to the whole episode without stopping. Just note the topic and two or three ideas.
With the transcript
Read along as you listen. Highlight the expressions you don't know.
Out loud
Pick a one-minute passage and repeat it along with Marion: that's shadowing.
Read along while you listen
Every episode has a full transcript with vocabulary notes. You receive it by email after signing up. The transcripts are in French.
- The full text of the episode
- Expressions explained
- Perfect for your second listen
From the Peau d'Âne episode
« Oh bah quand même, je demande pas la lune, je demande pas quelque chose d'impossible. »
Demander la lune: to ask for something impossible (literally “to ask for the moon”). Je demande pas: in speech, the “ne” often disappears.
One film per episode, to listen to or watch
In each episode, Marion tells the story of the film, shares what she liked, opens up the questions it raises, then ends with the vocabulary to remember. The episodes are also on YouTube.
Peau d'Âne (Donkey Skin)
Jacques Demy's fairy tale with Catherine Deneuve, its colours and its old-fashioned vocabulary.
La Bonne Conduite
An episode for intermediate and advanced learners, with slang and expressions.
La fille inconnue (The Unknown Girl)
With Adèle Haenel: a realistic film and everyday vocabulary at the doctor's.
Asterix and Obelix: God Save Britannia
France's most famous Gauls, and all the humour that comes with them.
Marius et Fanny
A story from Marseille, broken down for learners.
HPI (High Potential)
The series with Audrey Fleurot, a must for spoken French.
Podcast, YouTube or the Club: which one for what?
| Podcast | YouTube | French Film Fluency Club | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Audio, 7 to 20 min | Video, 10 to 20 min | Lives, worksheets and community |
| Best for | Listening anywhere | Seeing scenes and shadowing | Progress with guidance |
| Interaction | None | Comments | Lives with Marion and members |
| Price | Free | Free | 3- or 12-month membership |
About the podcast
Is the podcast for beginners?
No. It is designed for intermediate and advanced learners (B1 to C1). If you are a beginner, start with the shadowing videos on YouTube, which are shorter and guided.
Is the podcast entirely in French?
Yes. Marion speaks natural French, at a real but clear pace. The transcripts help you follow along.
Where can I listen to French Ciné Club?
On Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Ausha and every podcast app. The episodes are also on the Clap Français YouTube channel.
Do the transcripts cost anything?
No. You receive them by email after signing up on the transcripts page.
Do I need to have seen the film before listening?
No. Marion introduces the film and its context. But watching it before or after the episode makes listening even more useful.
Want to go further than listening?
Take the free level test to see where you stand, or join the Club to practise with Marion every week.