From the dramatic passion of Parisian street singers to the stylish nonchalance of the yé-yé generation and the mysterious pop icons of modern times, French female singers have left an indelible mark on the international music world. With their unique timbre, literary class and unmatched elegance, they captured emotions like no one else. These are the fifteen best French female singers of all time.
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Édith Piaf – Non, je ne regrette rien
The 'Little Sparrow' of Paris, with the most powerful and tormented voice in music history. Her indestructible anthem about pride, loss and triumph remains the ultimate French monument.
Françoise Hardy – Tous les garçons et les filles
The shy style icon of the yé-yé movement who, with her fragile voice and wistful acoustic guitar, raised teenage longing and loneliness to pure art.
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France Gall – Ella, elle l'a
Originally a Eurovision winner with a Serge Gainsbourg song, she later became a huge pop star thanks to Michel Berger's compositions; this tribute to Ella Fitzgerald is pure pop magic.
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Mylène Farmer – Désenchantée
The mysterious queen of French pop: with her theatrical videos, pitch-black themes and gigantic stadium shows, she got a generation dancing to existential disillusionment.
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Dalida – Mourir sur scène
With her hypnotic diva charisma and dramatic voice, the Egyptian-born French-Italian singer delivered this impressive and prophetic ode to the artist's life.
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Brigitte Bardot – Harley Davidson
The ultimate symbol of French sensuality and rebellion; together with Serge Gainsbourg, she created sultry, cheeky pop classics full of roaring engines.
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Juliette Gréco – Sous le ciel de Paris
The muse of the existentialists in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, who brought pure poetry to the stage with her expressive hands and theatrical delivery.
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Barbara – L'Aigle noir
The 'Black Lady' of French chanson; a mysterious, poetic dream about an eagle that has been read as a symbol of deep personal scars and forgiveness.
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Vanessa Paradis – Joe le taxi
At fourteen, she conquered Europe with this smooth, relaxed song about a Parisian taxi driver, before growing into a versatile pop and fashion icon.
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Patricia Kaas – Mademoiselle chante le blues
Known for her smoky, powerful jazz and blues voice full of melancholy; one of the best-selling French-language artists in the world.
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Zaz – Je veux
With her energetic mix of gypsy jazz, street music and infectious joy for life, Zaz brought a wonderfully authentic sound back to the French charts in 2010.
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Sylvie Vartan – La Plus Belle pour aller danser
The energetic queen of yé-yé who, together with her husband Johnny Hallyday, turned the French teen audience of the '60s upside down.
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Jane Birkin – Je t'aime... moi non plus
The charming Brit who, with her sensual French accent and vulnerable voice, brought Gainsbourg's most intimate compositions to life.
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Véronique Sanson – Amoureuse
A gifted singer-songwriter and virtuoso pianist who modernized French pop in the '70s with her unique vibrato and emotional compositions.
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Louane – Jour 1
Discovered on The Voice and in the film La Famille Bélier; with her fresh electropop and recognizable voice, she became the favorite of a new generation.
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