Top French-Speaking Countries In Europe You Didn’t Know

French-speaking countries in Europe are often overlooked, but they are a vibrant part of the continent’s history and culture. They are home to some of the world’s unique and fascinating people. It is also spoken as a second language by some individuals in many parts of the world. French is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. 

French is still a popular choice for European students who want to attend university in Europe. Many people who have studied abroad or worked in Paris or Brussels speak French. The French language is considered a symbol of unity among European nations. We are going to talk about all French speaking countries in Europe.

map of french speaking countries in europe
source: the map of French speaking countries in the world

Interesting Facts of French language in Europe

It’s hard to believe that the French language is important in Europe. But when you look at the history of the continent, it’s easy to see why. The French language has been around for centuries, and it’s one of only two languages used across Europe (the other is English).

The French language has historically been used as a common tongue by people from many different cultures and countries, making it an ideal vehicle for communication between people who might otherwise not understand each other. Most people who live in Europe speak at least some French, but even those who don’t often use it as a second language.

French is a very important language in the business world. Many international organizations, such as the International Olympic Committee, use French as their primary language. There are many reasons why you should learn French. French is a beautiful language, and it can be very beneficial in your personal and professional life.

CountryPopulationPercentage who speak French
Belgium11,668,00075.55%
France68,508,00096.91%
Luxembourg642,00092.06%
Monaco40,00097.50%
Switzerland8,774,00067.12%

List of French speaking countries in Europe

French is a Romance language that originated in France. It’s spoken by more than 280 million people worldwide, making it the fifth most spoken language in the world. So, how many French-speaking countries are there in Europe? In Europe, five countries speak French: Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Monaco, and Switzerland.

There are a few official French-speaking countries in Europe, and then there are a few other countries that still speak French, but are not considered official French-speaking countries. Here is a list of a few of the official French-speaking countries in Europe:

  • France
  • Belgium
  • Switzerland
  • Luxembourg

And here are a few of the other countries that still speak the French language, but do not consider official French-speaking countries:

  • Canada
  • Haiti
  • Senegal
  • Andorra

Official French-speaking countries in Western Europe

French is the official language in various countries, but we provide you with the detail of french-speaking countries in Western Europe.

#1 France

map of french speaking countries france
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French is the official language of France. The country’s history and culture are closely attached to this language, so it’s no surprise that French is deeply embedded in France. French has also been inspired by other languages such as Latin and Germanic languages, like Dutch and English.

Today, about 80% of people in France speak French as their native language; however, many non-native speakers speak it as a second language. France was one of the first countries to adopt this language officially, and it has remained so ever since. The majority of people who speak French as a first language are located in Europe, but there are also communities of French speakers outside Europe.

#2 Belgium

map of french speaking countries belgium
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The first is Belgium, which has a very wide French-speaking population. Belgium’s capital city is Brussels, and it has been a French-speaking city since the 14th century. Several smaller towns were founded by French settlers and retain their French language and culture today.

Belgium is also included in the officially French speaking countries in Europe because it is the most widely spoken language in the country. With about 71% of the population speaking it as their primary language. It has been true since the late 1800s when Belgium was created as an independent country. Belgium has three official languages: French, Dutch (Flemish), and German.

#3 Luxembourg

french speaking countries luxembourg
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Did you know that the majority of people in Luxembourg speak French? Luxembourg is a country in Western Europe, bordered by Belgium and France. It is a small country, with a population of about half a million. Most of those who live here speak French as their native language, but mostly speak German or Luxembourgish.

French is spoken by around 43% of the population, making it the most widely spoken foreign language in the country. If you’re planning on doing business in Luxembourg, it is essential to know some French. Even if you don’t speak the language yourself, having a good grasp of the basics will go a long way in helping you communicate with locals.

#4 Monaco

map of french speaking countries monaco
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Monaco is a small country, but it’s one of the top official French-speaking countries in Europe. Almost 97% of Monaco’s population speaks French as their first language. The country is also home to several international schools that offer instruction in English and other languages.

Monaco is an independent principality located on the French Riviera coast near Italy and France ( not part of either country). Its ruler is known as the “Prince” or “Princess” of Monaco; they are not royalty because the principality has no king or queen–it’s just a title given by tradition!

#5 Switzerland

map of french speaking countries switzerland
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Another country with a large French-speaking population is Switzerland, which has four official languages: German (including Swiss German), French (including Swiss French), Italian (including Italian Swiss), and Romansh (a language spoken by about 30,000 people). Switzerland also has a small Italian-speaking minority that lives primarily in northern Italy’s Tyrol region.

French is also one of the official languages of the European Union and is an important language for business and diplomacy. If you are looking to learn French, Switzerland is a great place to do it. Many language schools offer intensive French courses, and you’ll be able to practice your French skills in everyday life.

Why the French language is a non-official language in Andorra?

The French language is non-official in Andorra due to historical and political reasons. Andorra is a Principality located between France and Spain. For many centuries, Andorra was under the rule of both France and Spain. As a result, the official languages of Andorra are Catalan and French. French is also widely spoken in Andorra, but not an official language.

So why is French not an official language in Andorra? One reason may be that Andorrans want to maintain their distinct identity as a separate nation from France and Spain. Historically, the people of Andorra have been more closely attached to Catalan culture and language. It is reflected in the country’s flag, which is a combination of the Catalan and French flags.

French-speaking countries in Eastern Europe

Though most people associate French with France, there are many countries where French is spoken as an official language. This includes Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada, as well as several countries in Africa and the Caribbean. While French-speaking countries in Eastern Europe include Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova. 

These countries are politically and economically stable and have a well-educated workforce. The people in these countries are friendly and eager to please, making them ideal partners for businesses looking to expand into new markets. Some French-speaking countries in Eastern Europe are members of the European Union, while others are not. France is one of the founding members of the European Union, and its capital, Brussels, is the seat of the European Union.

Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, but it is a member of the European Free Trade Association. French is the official language in all of the French-speaking countries in Eastern Europe. However, there are also many other languages spoken in these countries, including German, Italian, Romansh, and Belgian Dutch.

While the number of French speakers in these countries is relatively small, it’s still interesting to know that French is spoken in this part of the world. If you’re ever traveling to Eastern Europe, make sure to keep an eye out for signs and menus in French. You might be surprised at how many places you can find where French is spoken!

Understand the French language with the best tool

If you want to expand your business into French-speaking countries, Wordspath can help. Wordspath is a professional tool for French translation, as it uses both human and machine translation to get the best results. And, with the team of professional French translators, you can be sure that your translations are of the highest quality. So if you are looking to expand your business into French-speaking countries, Wordspath is the perfect solution.

Wordspath is a sensible tool for learning French, as it can help you with vocabulary and grammar. You can use Wordspath to improve your speaking, reading, and writing skills. In addition, Wordspath can be used to translate documents from French to English and vice versa. It can be very effective if you need to translate a document for work or school. 

If you are living in or planning to visit a French-Speaking country, Wordspath can be an invaluable resource. By using Wordspath, you can make sure that you can communicate effectively in French. In addition, Wordspath can also help you to understand the culture and customs of French-Speaking countries better.

Conclusion

This article provided an overview of some of the French-speaking countries in Europe. Although each country has its own unique culture, they all share the common bond of being French-speaking. They are rich in history and have a variety of things to offer tourists. These countries also have a lot to offer in terms of business opportunities.

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