Le français classique

Written by Qualified Language Expert Laura K Lawless Author of 8 language books, Grad work in translation & linguistics

In: Reading B2, Politics, History & Economics, Language & Education, Listening or Seeing B2

Discussion of this reading exercise: 0

Learn about Classical French in this 5-part series of bilingual articles about the development of French over the centuries.* 

After listening to the audio, click any word for the English translation and links to related grammar lessons.

Note: The tenses in this French article and its English translation don't match! In French, we use the present tense to describe historical stories like this to evoke a sense of immediacy, whereas in English, we commonly use the past tense - learn more about historical French tenses.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

*The Development of French

1. Birth of the French language
2. Dialects and regional languages
3. Middle French
4. Classical French
5. Modern French