French Christmas Songs (5 Carols with Lyrics & Translation!)

On this you’ll find five French Christmas songs with French lyrics and English translations. The song list includes: Petit Papa Noël, Vive Le Vent (Jingle Bells), Douce Nuit (Silent Night), Mon Beau Sapin (O Christmas Tree) and Ce N’est Qu’un Au Revoir (Auld Lang Syne).

Table of Contents

Petit Papa Noël – Little Father Christmas

video source: kimangerald

Petit Papa Noël is by far the most popular French Christmas songs. The song first came out in 1946 by Tino Rossi and has been sung by many singers over the decades. Most recently the song was made famous by the American singer, Josh Groban.

In the video below you can listen to the song performed by the famous French-Canadian singer, Céline Dion, in English and French. The video also includes the French words. Below that you’ll find both the lyrics in French with English translation.

Petit Papa Noël chorus

Petit papa Noël
Little Santa Claus
Quand tu descendras du ciel
When you come down from the sky
Avec des jouets par milliers
With thousands of toys
N’oublie pas mon petit soulier.
Don’t forget my little stocking.
Mais avant de partir
But before you leave
Il faudra bien te couvrir
You should cover yourself well
Dehors tu vas avoir si froid
Outside you will be so cold
C’est un peu à cause de moi.
And it’s kind of my fault.

Vive Le Vent – Jingle Bells

video source: The Best Christmas Songs

Have you ever wondered how to sing Jingle Bells in French? Here you will a complete video of the song, called “Vive Le Vent” (Long Live The Wind) as well as the French lyrics with the English translation written out below.

While little is known about the history of the French version of the song, one thing is clear: While the tune is completely the same the words are totally different. Sing along and enjoy!

Vive le Vent chorus

Vive le vent, vive le vent,
Long live the wind, long live the wind,
Vive le vent d’hiver
Long live the winter wind,
Qui s’en va sifflant, soufflant
Which goes whistling, blowing
Dans les grands sapins verts.
In the big green Christmas trees!
Vive le temps, vive le temps,
Long live the time, long live the time,
Vive le temps d’hiver
Long live the winter time,
Boules de neige et jour de l’an
Snowballs and new year’s day
Et bonne année grand-mère.
and happy new year Grandma

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Douce Nuit – Silent Night

video source: The Best Christmas Songs

The following is the French version of the Christmas song, Silent Night. The title in French is ‘Douce Nuit‘ or ‘Soft Night’. The French version has a total five versus.

The song was originally written in German in the early 19th century had has been translated into 140 languages. Enjoy the video followed by both the French and English lyrics.

douce nuit chorus

Douce nuit, sainte nuit!
Sweet night, holy night!
Dans les cieux ! L’astre luit.
In the heavens the star gleams.
Le mystère annoncé s’accomplit
The announced mystery has been fulfilled,
Cet enfant sur la paille endormi,
This child asleep on the straw
C’est l’amour infini !
Is infinite love!
C’est l’amour infini !
Is infinite love!

Mon Beau Sapin – O Christmas Tree

video source: The Best Christmas Songs

Ever wonder how to sing O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum) in French? Here you’ll find the complete French lyrics as well as English translation

Mon Beau Sapin chorus

Mon beau sapin, roi des forêts,
My beautiful Christmas tree, king of the forests,
Que j’aime ta verdure !
How I love your greeness!
Quand, par l’hiver, bois et guérets,
When winter comes, woods and tillages,
Sont dépouillés de leurs dépouillés,
Are all stripped of their appeal,
Mon beau sapin, roi des forêts,
My beautiful Christmas tree of forests,
Tu gardes ta parure.
You keep your finery.

Ce N’est Qu’un Au Revoir – Old Lang Syne

video source: M Sirianni

On New Years Eve in France people say Bonne Année (Happy New Year!) at the stroke of mid-night and sing.

Just like in English-speaking countries where people sing the song, Old Lang Syne, the French sing “Ce N’est Qu’un Au Revoir” (It’s only a good-bye”), which translates better to “It’s only a see you again”.

Ce N’est Qu’un Au Revoir chorus

Ce n’est qu’un au revoir, mes frères,
It’s only good-bye, my brothers,
Ce n’est qu’un au revoir !
It’s only good-bye!
Oui, nous nous reverrons, mes frères,
Yes, we will see each other again, my brothers,
Ce n’est qu’un au revoir.
It’s only good-bye.

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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on his site, FrenchLearner.com, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.

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