France has one of the most recognisable and beloved cultures in the world, and children connect with it instantly. From croissants and the Eiffel Tower to art, music and joyful festivals, French culture gives you endless ways to make the language feel real. Here are some hands-on ways to bring France into your primary classroom, whatever your own level of French.
Start with everyday language
Weave simple French through your day. A cheerful Bonjour to greet the class, merci for thank you, and counting in French during routines all bring the language to life. Students love using real words, and these small habits build familiarity with no extra planning.
Explore the food
French food is a delicious way in. Talk about croissants, baguettes, crepes and cheese, and set up a pretend boulangerie or cafe where students order in French. A crepe-tasting on La Chandeleur, if your school allows it, is always a highlight, and food vocabulary is fun and full of words students already recognise.
Discover art and landmarks
France is home to some of the world's most famous art and landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre to the paintings of Monet. Sharing these, then letting students create their own masterpiece or build a paper Eiffel Tower, connects the language to a rich visual culture that children find fascinating.
Enjoy the music
France has a wonderful tradition of song, and traditional favourites like Frere Jacques and Alouette are already familiar to many children. Teaching a simple French song carries pronunciation and rhythm naturally, and even shy students will often join in when there is a tune to follow.
Celebrate French festivals
French celebrations are colourful and easy to explore. Bastille Day on the fourteenth of July, with its blue, white and red, is a natural fit, and La Chandeleur, the day of crepes, is a delicious excuse to bring France into the classroom. Festivals give students a real, memorable connection to French life.
Play French games
Games make culture active. Jacques a dit, the French version of Simon says, works brilliantly for classroom language, and a gentle game of petanque with soft balls brings a slice of French summer to the playground. Simple, playful games get students using the language naturally.
Explore the regions of France
France is a country of variety, from the streets of Paris to the lavender fields of Provence, the Alps and the southern coast. Pulling out a map and exploring these regions, their food and their famous sights helps students see France as a real, varied place, and gives endless material to bring lessons to life.
Bring a little France to your class
You do not need to have visited Paris to share French culture with your students. A pretend cafe here, a French song there, a game of Jacques a dit and a few friendly greetings, and students quickly build a warm connection to the language. If you would like the teaching side made simple too, try our free French fruits game, our ten fun ways to teach French, or the simple French lesson plan.
Ready-made French resources for primary classrooms
Our French resources include print-and-go worksheets, no-prep lessons and a full-year program, mapped to Kindergarten through Year 6 and the Australian Curriculum, so you can bring the language and culture together with ease.
Explore our French resources