France’s musical history reaches from courtly and classical traditions to chanson, regional folk music, jazz, electronic music, and modern popular styles. These examples anchor that range with Jean-Baptiste Lully and Édith Piaf while also including a contemporary selection.
France has a wide variety of indigenous folk music, as well as styles played by immigrants from Africa, Latin America and Asia. In the field of classical music, France has produced a number of legendary composers, while modern pop music has seen the rise of popular French hip hop, techno/funk, zouk, and pop performers.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia’s “Music of France” article.
Jean-Baptiste Lully’s court music represents the French Baroque tradition.
This contemporary selection broadens the post beyond its classical and chanson landmarks.
Édith Piaf’s “La Vie en rose” is one of the most enduring examples of French chanson.