Learning a language can be a hard, but rewarding, experience. For my Francophiles out there, you know how difficult it can be to maintain your level of French (especially coming home to an English-speaking country after living abroad). I wanted to compile a list of resources that can help any French speaker (past, present or future) work on their vocabulary and listening comprehension. (Not to mention pop culture. 😉 )
This isn’t intended to be a master list, but rather recommendations based off of my own personal trial and error success.

Literature: This year I’ve set a goal to read 1 book a month (blog post to come). Books can be a great way to dive into a language, allowing you to disconnect from technology and really focus on the language itself – the grammar, the expressions and, of course, the vocabulary. Here’s some francophile books (mostly in English) that I’ll be reading this year:
The Bonjour Effect: The Secret Code of French Conversation Revealed
by Julie Barlow and Jean-Benoit Nadeau
Mastering Art of French Eating: From Paris Bistros to Farmhouse Kitchens, Lessons in Food and Love
by Ann Mah
The New Paris: The People, Places & Ideas Fueling A Movement
by Lindsey Tramuta
Apéritif: Cocktail Hour the French Way
by Rebekah Peppler
How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits
by Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline De Maigret, and Sophie Mas

Social Media: A blogger myself, I can really appreciate the effort that goes behind these sites! Here’s some French-inspired blogs I follow, and you should too:
The Glittering Unknown by Emily Jackson
Every Day Parisian by Rebecca Plotnick
Lost in Cheeseland by Lindsey Tramuta
French Word-A-Day by Kristin Espinasse

Film: If you’re like me, I have a library card but need to use it more often. When I do find I have free time for movie, I’m curled up in bed. For that reason, I want to make some Netflix suggestions:
Plan Cœur (EN: The Hook Up Plan; TV-14)
Un Peu, Beaucoup, Aveuglément (EN: Blind Date; PG-13)
Bienvenue à Marly-Gomont (EN: The African Doctor; G)
LOLO (EN: LOLO; R)
Une Chance de Trop (EN: No Second Chance; TV-MA)
Dix Pour Cent (EN: Call My Agent!; TV-MA)
C’est Quoi Cette Famille (EN: We Are Family; R)
Il a déjà tes yeux (EN: He even has your eyes; PG-13)
En mai, fais ce qu’il te plaît (EN: Come What May; R)
10 jours en or (EN: 10 jours en or; PG)
*A majority of the films that are R / TV-MA are so because of swearing, view discretion is advised.*

Videography: And last, but not least, here’s some Youtubers that are witty, current, and produce consistent content:
Cyprien (comedy)
Damon and Jo (see “en français” under playlists; travel-related and “how to” learn French)
Nathan Graff (fashion and some travel)
La Douce Melodie (fashion and some travel)

Hope this list helps you! Please share with another francophile! Merci 🙂

* This article includes a couple affiliate links, any purchases made using these links provide me with a tiny, tiny commission which helps fund my future travels.