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A1–B2 · Leveled passages

French texts to read — free A1–B2 paragraphs

French texts to read from A1 through B2 — 10 free passages and short paragraphs with vocabulary grids and English translations. Use this library for silent-reading volume, then create a free personalized French story path for guided daily practice.

Prefer narrative format? Try French stories for beginners or French reading practice for more leveled input.

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French text library

Filter the complete library by level, real-life topic, or length. Every text includes an English translation, vocabulary support, and comprehension questions.

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10 texts shown.

A1

Beginner

3 texts

See all 3 A1 texts →
A2

Elementary

2 texts

See all 2 A2 texts →
B1

Intermediate

3 texts

See all 3 B1 texts →
B2

Upper-intermediate

2 texts

See all 2 B2 texts →

Format sample

Here’s what a French text looks like

See the format before you choose: a short excerpt, vocabulary, and one comprehension prompt. The complete passage lives on its own shareable page.

Sample · partial preview

A1 · 62 words in the full text

Dimanche chez Marie

A short look inside

Marie vit dans un petit appartement lumineux à Lyon. Le dimanche matin, elle prépare du café chaud et une tartine croustillante avec de la confiture sucrée.

This preview stops before the complete passage. The dedicated reader includes every line, audio where available, English support, the full quiz, prompts, and a printable answer key.

Vocabulary included

vit·to liveconfiture·jamvoisine·neighborcourses·race

Sample question

What does "vit" mean in this context?

Answer it after reading the complete French passage.

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Go beyond short texts

Want longer French stories?

Read illustrated, chapter-style stories with native audio, vocabulary help, and sentence-by-sentence grammar support. Browse all A1 stories →

Why this works

Read for meaning, then confirm

Texts work differently from stories — shorter and topical, designed to build vocabulary. Read first, confirm meaning, then lock in words.

  1. 1

    Pick a CEFR level and open a passage

  2. 2

    Read in French for gist before peeking at English

  3. 3

    Review the vocabulary grid and translation

Continue this skill in MeloLingua

Turn French reading into listening and speaking practice

MeloLingua keeps the text, narration, meaning support, and pronunciation work inside the same story. Read for meaning first, replay the lines, then speak selected sentences while the scene is still fresh.

Best fit

Learners who want connected reading, listening, and lower-pressure speaking in one short session.

Honest limitation

MeloLingua does not replace live conversation with a tutor or partner.

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Answers

Frequently asked questions

Q01

Where can I find French texts to read for free?

MeloLingua offers 10 free French texts from A1 through B2, including fuller passages and short paragraph drills. Every text includes a vocabulary grid and English translation, and the catalog works in a browser without signup. Choose A1 for concrete routines or move through A2, B1, and B2 as connected sentences become comfortable.

Q02

What is a good French paragraph for beginners?

Aim for a short text about concrete routines—cafés, commutes, or neighbors—with present-tense dominance and enough support to understand roughly 90–95 percent on the first pass.

Q03

How do I choose the right French level?

Choose a supported text where you understand roughly 90–95 percent on the first pass. If whole sentences remain unclear after a few glosses, step down one CEFR band; move up after two comfortable reads without English support.

Q04

Can paragraphs replace listening practice?

They prime decoding, but listening locks liaison and intonation—carry vocabulary straight into MeloLingua French stories where narration mirrors what you read.

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