Journal en français facile (RFI)
Journal en français facile (RFI) is a free French podcast for beginner and intermediate learners (A2–B2). The best free daily news habit, with a synchronised transcript every day.
Checked October 2026 on the official site ·
Journal en français facile is RFI's ten-minute world news bulletin in simplified French, broadcast Monday to Friday and published on the Français facile site with a synchronised transcript. Each week RFI adds two bonus exercises on a news topic. It suits a learner from late A2 upwards who wants a short daily habit and real current affairs. It is news radio: one presenter, formal vocabulary, no explanations in English and no everyday conversation.
| Type | podcast |
|---|---|
| Level | A2–B2 (beginner and intermediate) |
| Price | Free |
| Free to use | Yes, at least in part |
| Transcripts | Free |
| Real-speed French | No |
| Taught in | French |
| Where | Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Website |
Verdict: The best free daily news habit, with a synchronised transcript every day.
Listed in
- French podcasts for beginners
- Intermediate French podcasts
- French podcasts with transcripts
- French podcasts on Spotify
- Free French podcasts
Related podcasts
- News in Slow French: Well made and steady, but slow news is a long way from real speech; pay for Full Access or not at all.
- HugoDécrypte: The daily news French people actually listen to; B2 and up only.
- Little Talk in Slow French: A gentle bridge for A2 to B1 listeners, with free transcripts on Patreon.
Deeper dive
A longer guide on this topic from French with Amélie: read the guide.