Looking for French love phrases and unique ideas to express romance?
I love you in French (je t’aime) are words you are probably already familiar with. So, what other French love phrases could you use (that are a bit more original?)
For something short and sweet, you could try:
- love of my life (love of my life)
- I love you with all my heart (I love you with all my heart); Prayed
- for you forever (yours forever).
My dear (referring to a boy), my dear (referring to a girl) means Dear; there are also some very cute ones, like ma cocotte (which literally means my hen, but roughly translated is Honey Honey, Prayed baby .
Other charming ways to talk to your partner is by calling him mon chou. (my cake) golden darling (my flea).
But maybe you are looking for something that goes much further than this (after all… love can be complicated!) French love quotes and French love poems are great sources of inspiration.
You could take French love quotes from famous writers, movies or songs for example.
Take this one from the French romantic novelist George Sand:
There is only one happiness in life, it is to love and be loved.
There is only one happiness in life, to love and to be loved.
Or try quoting Edith Piaf, popular in the 1940s and 1950s for her love songs, like “La Vie en Rose.” (Life through rose colored glasses 🙂
When he takes me in his arms
whispers to me
I see life in pink
When he takes me in his arms
and he speaks to me softly
I see the world through rose colored glasses
French love poems are wonderfully romantic and evocative.
You can find all styles of love poems in French, depending on the type of mood you want to convey: happy, passionate, flirtatious, yearning, regretful, etc.
Quoting French love poems can be a very effective way of expressing something. Imagine having a romantic weekend in Paris, perhaps you are celebrating an anniversary or planning to pop the question. You can whisper French words or write a romantic letter.
So where do you find these French love poems? The first place to look is the Romantic Movement, which began around the end of the 18th century. Some of the best poets who wrote in this style include Victor Hugo, Charles Baudelaire, François-René de Chateaubriand, Alphonse de Lamartine, and Alfred de Musset.
You can visit your local foreign language bookstore, or even do a book search online. And there you have it! You will be captivating your loved one with beautiful French love phrases, in no time!
We will end with a poem by Victor Hugo, considered one of the greatest French romantic poets; along with an English translation:
Always love! Love again!
When love leaves, hope flees.
Love is the cry of dawn
Love is the hymn of the night.
what the waves say to the shores,
What the wind tells the old
What the star tells the clouds,
It is the ineffable word: Love!
Love makes you think, live and believe.
It has to warm the heart,
A ray more than glory,
And this lightning is happiness!
Love ! whether we praise them or blame them,
Big hearts will always love:
Join this youth of the soul
To the youth of your forehead!
Love always! Love more!
When love leaves, hope escapes us.
love is the cry of dawn
Love is the hymn of the night.
What the streams say to the shore,
What the wind says to the old mountains,
What the stars say to the clouds,
It is an ineffable word: Love!
Love makes you think, live and believe.
Love warms the heart
A ray of light more than glory
And this lightning is happiness!
Love! whether we praise them or blame them
Big hearts will always love:
Join this youth of the soul
To the youth of your forehead!