updated: June 11, 2022 by mylene in entertainment ▪ español français
In this blog, you’ll discover why you should start improving your French learning by reading a comic, also known as bande dessinée in French. Besides, I’ll give you the name of 10 popular Franco-Belgian comics:
You are reading: Comic books in french
- asterix
- les adventures de tintin
- gaston lagaffe
- blake et mortimer
- les schtroumpfs
- spirou et fantasio
- bécassine
- lucky luke
- boule et bill
- babar
Whether you want to immerse yourself in a mysterious world of adventure or discover the everyday life of a typical French family, there will be a French comic just for you!
This blog post is also available as a web story 👉 10 popular Franco-Belgian comics.
what are the advantages of learning French with comics?
reading comics in French can help French learners to improve their level of French. comic strips, bandes dessinées, show and tell. They have many advantages and among them:
- the topics: your French trip is easier if you read about a topic that interests you. Do you prefer a mysterious, funny or everyday comic? there are many different French comic genres to suit all tastes. I am sure you will find the right one for you that will entertain you and at the same time allow you to find your own interests in learning French.
- the images: comics help French learners because they are visual. this is great for people who have a visual learning style. just look at the character’s expression and you’ll understand the situation better!
- the dialogues: comics mostly contain dialogues and those dialogues are similar to spoken French. Combining short narratives, short dialogues and illustrated actions is a great way to learn French effortlessly and effectively.
The above points highlight how context is key to helping French learners understand and learn French with French comics (and without feeling like homework).
How will reading comics improve your French?
so don’t be afraid to read comics in French, even if you’re at a beginner level! you will understand and at the same time reading comics in French will help you level up your:
- French vocabulary: comics will help you build a stronger vocabulary and you will learn colloquial French sentences!
- spoken French: a comic is an authentic document made for native speakers. it is not a traditional/school book to learn French. therefore, French learners can benefit from this to learn the French language as spoken by natives.
- French culture: and last but not least, Reading French comics will improve your knowledge of Franco-Belgian culture. discover and immerse yourself in the most Francophone cultural activities that native speakers usually do or participate in. it’s great to allow you to develop your language skills faster.
below is your next reading list of french comics worth checking out.
Below I will give you the name of the comics that are perfect for beginners and intermediates.
10 comics to learn French
It’s time to get to the best French comics.
Let’s find the perfect comic together!
1. asterix
Gaul vs roman, in 50 B.C.
Asterix comics appeared in the Franco-Belgian magazine Pilote in October 1959.
It was written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo.
every asterix comic begins with the following introduction:
” the year is 50 BC. Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans. well, not quite… a small village of indomitable Gauls still resists the invaders. and life is not easy for the Roman legionnaires who garrison the fortified camps of totorum, aquarium, laudanum and compendium..”
The adventures of Asterix and Obelix are the most famous Franco-Belgian comics in the world as they have been translated into 111 languages.
The comic is the story of a small town called Galia. the villagers try to avoid the Roman occupation thanks to a magic potion. The main characters are the small but clever Asterix and the goofy warrior Obelix. Obelix has fallen into the magic potion when he was a child and thus has extraordinary strength.
by the way, there is a themed amusement park in france based on the asterix comic: le parc asterix. there are more than two million visitors a year.
You can find this comic in any French bookstore or you can order it online at amazon.
if you want to read a recent asterix comic, you can get it by clicking on the following link: la fille de vercingétorix (french edition)
2. the adventures of tintin
Source: tintin.com Reporter in the 20th century and his dog.
les aventures de tintin, or the adventures of tintin in English, is a comic created by the Belgian cartoonist georges remi (hergé).
first appeared in January 1929 in le petit vingtième (the little twentieth).
is another timeless classic.
See Also: The Best Baby Board Books of 2022 – Mommyhood101
The story revolves around the character of a Belgian reporter, Tintin. he is always accompanied by his dog named milou.
The story is set during the 20th century.
tintin traveled the world.
so you can discover new cultures, countries and ways of life in French. if you are looking to read a tintin comic, here is a recommended bande dessinée you can buy: les aventures de tintin l’etoile mystérieuse (french edition)
3. gaston lagaffe
Source: gastonlagaffe.com The gaffe-filled life of a lazy employee.
It was created in 1957 by the Belgian cartoonist André Franquin for the Franco-Belgian comics magazine Spirou.
These comics focus on the everyday life of Gaston Lagaffe (ie the blunder).
gaston is an office assistant who works at spirou, the magazine in which the comic was published. he is lazy, avoids work, does not meet deadlines …
instead, he prefers hobbies or naps and panics about deadlines.
4. blake and mortimer
Source: dargaud.com Mystery, espionage and science fiction.
blake et mortimer was created in 1946 by Belgian comics writer and artist edgar p. jacobs.
recounts the adventures of philipp mortimer, a british scientist, and his friend mi5 captain francis blake, a spy.
They both investigate and try to stop their nemesis, Colonel Olrik.
5. the schtroumpfs
Source: pinterest Fictional colony of small, blue, human-like creatures.
Les Schtroumpfs, or the Smurfs in English, were created in 1958 by Belgian comic artist Peyo (Pierre Culliford).
The schtroumpfs are blue humanoids that live in mushroom-shaped houses. all the characters, mostly men, look alike.
They live in an enchanted forest and try to fight against the evil Gargamel and his cat Azraël.
Note that all schtroumpfs are named after their personality.
for example, schtroumpf farceur (jockey smurf) plays practical jokes on his fellow schtroumpf. les schtroumpfs wear Phrygian caps that came to represent freedom.
The characteristic of the Smurf language is the frequent use of the word schtroumpf and its derivatives.
- on va schtroumpfer des pommes (we are going to smurf apples) means on va cueillir des pommes (we are going to pick apples).
if you prefer to read a bande dessinée about les schtroumpfs, here is one: les schtroumpfs et le vol des cigognes (French edition)
6. spirit and fantasy
Source: Pinterest.ca Two intrepid journalists explore the world.
It was created by Robert Velter in 1938.
recounts the fantastic adventures of spirou and fantasio around the world.
You’ll also discover his pet, the spip squirrel.
They range from challenging the mad scientist zorglub to taking on the Italian mafia and discovering the secret of a mythical animal: the marsupilami.
7. becassine
See Also: Harry Turtledove – Audio Books, Best Sellers, Author Bio | Audible.com
maid and nanny in britain at the beginning of the 20th century.
bécassine first appeared in suzette week in 1905.
The writer was Jacqueline Rivière.
She wears a green dress with a lace hairstyle and clogs. she is the typical provincial girl seen by people who live in paris. she is usually depicted without a mouth.
The nickname bécassine is derived from the French word “bécasse” (woodcock), which is also used as a way of saying fool in French.
8. lucky luke
Source: lucky-luke.com French comic set in the US Old West.
lucky luke was created by cartoonist morris in 1946.
The series takes place in the old American West of the United States.
Relates to the adventures of lucky luke, “l’homme qui tire plus vite que son ombre” (the man who shoots faster than his shadow). He is accompanied by his clever horse Jolly Jumper.
lucky luke battles fictional or inspired villains like the dalton brothers.
you will find humorous elements that parody the western genre.
if you prefer to read a bande dessinée about lucky luke, here is one: les aventures de lucky luke d’après morris – volume 8 – un cowboy à paris (french edition)
9. boule et bill
Source: dupuis.com The adventures of a typical French family: a man, his wife, their son Boule and Bill the cocker spaniel.
boule et bill, or billy and buddy in English, was created by jean roba and maurice rosy.
appeared in spirou in 1959.
The series recounts the daily life of seven-year-old Boule and his dog Bill, as well as Caroline the turtle.
Most pranks happen in or around the house.
Would you rather read about boule et bill? here is a band design to read: graine de cocker (french edition)
10. babar
Source: Amazon.fr The adventures of a young elephant named Babar, perfect for the kids.
babar, or babar the elephant, appeared in 1931 in the french children’s book “histoire de babar”, babar was created by jean de brunhoff.
The series recounts the adventures of a young elephant named Babar.
His mother was shot by a hunter. she runs away from the jungle and finds a new home in another city.
He then befriends the old lady who takes care of him.
Learn practical French today
While this is not an exhaustive list of the best French comics, this selection will help you dig deeper into the French language. I have analyzed the selection to cover a list of the best classics of the famous and traditional Franco-Belgian bandes dessinées to help you learn French in a fun and interesting way. If you want to learn French vocabulary, you can check this article about French comics vocabulary.
any of these comics will make you laugh, create a thrill of excitement, and push you to ask for more reading in French. this will make excellent supplementary material for an online French course.
I encourage you to consider taking our online French courses and continue to explore the many benefits of mastering your French. Happy enrollment, French students!
