France! Home of Paris and Provence. Land of amazing food and the Eiffel Tower. Host to much of the world’s best art. And endowed with a rich tradition of children’s songs and rhymes.

In this app we’ve gathered over 50 of France’s best-loved traditional children’s songs, presented in their original French language and with translations into English. Many have commentary sent to us by our correspondents who are immersed in the traditions and culture of France.

Each song features a recording, so you can hear it sung! Many of the recordings are by ordinary people like you. If you'd like to contribute a recording, let us know and maybe we'll include it in future versions of the app!

You’ll find well-known songs like Frère Jacques, Alouette and Au clair de la lune, alongside many you may never have heard of.

These songs are still sung today, but many hark back to France's rich history. A time when church bells were still used to tell the time, as in Frère Jacques. A romantic time when knights roamed the land looking for love, as in Compagnons de la Marjolaine.

If you’re not a native you’ll have a chance to learn the songs that every French child knows and loves.

If you know someone who you think the song or rhyme would mean a lot to, you can email the lyrics to them from within the app.

We hope this app will help foster a love of French songs and culture all over the world!

This app includes:

* French songs, rhymes, and carols
* Each in the original language and with translations into English
* Recordings of each song and rhyme, many by ordinary people working to preserve their memories
* Commentary from ordinary people about what the songs have meant to their lives
* Illustrations
* Ability to Email lyrics to friends and family