10 Top French Newspapers by Circulation

Bonjour, chers lecteurs. France, with its rich history and vibrant culture, is not just known for its world-class cuisine, fashion, and breathtaking landmarks. It’s also home to some of the most influential newspapers that shape public opinion and fosters robust debates on a multitude of issues.

Whether you’re a scholar, a Francophile, an expat living in the country, or simply someone with a keen interest in French affairs, following the nation’s top newspapers can offer insightful perspectives.

Today I’m writing about the world of French journalism, highlighting the most-read French newspapers by circulation. These newspapers range from general-interest dailies covering a broad spectrum of topics to specialized publications focusing on specific areas like sports or economics. As France’s media landscape continues to evolve, these newspapers have navigated the shift from traditional print to digital platforms, while maintaining their significant influence and reach.

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Le Figaro’s conservative views, Le Monde’s authoritative reporting, Ouest-France’s regional coverage, the local focus of Le Parisien, and the athletic enthusiasm of L’Équipe. So grab a croissant, a café au lait, and let’s embark on this journey through the heart of French journalism.

Le Figaro

Founded in 1826, Le Figaro stands as the oldest national newspaper in France. Its conservative stance influences the interpretation of its news on politics, culture, economics, and more. Its circulation is around 320,000, making it one of the most extensively read newspapers in the country.

Le Monde

Le Monde, established in 1944 in the wake of World War II, has long been considered France’s newspaper of record. Le Monde is known for its analytical approach and its comprehensive international coverage. It leans towards the center in its editorial stance. The circulation of Le Monde was approximately 300,000.

Le Parisien

Le Parisien, with a focus on local Parisian news, and its national edition “Aujourd’hui en France”, covering nationwide news, are together known for their neutral stance. Founded in 1944, they had a joint circulation of about 225,000. Their approach to news is generally more colloquial and local-interest-focused than some other French papers.

Libération

Founded in 1973 by Jean-Paul Sartre and other intellectuals, Libération has a left-leaning editorial policy. Its circulation is about 70,000. It’s well known for its cultural and artistic coverage, in addition to its political reporting.

Mediapart

Established in 2008, Mediapart is a relatively new player in the French media landscape. It’s an online newspaper with an investigative focus and a commitment to editorial independence. Mediapart does not have a print circulation and doesn’t rely on advertising, with its funding coming mainly from subscription fees. Its political leaning is generally left-leaning and independent.

Le Canard Enchaîné

Le Canard Enchaîné, established in 1915, is a satirical weekly newspaper, known for its investigative journalism and its lack of advertisements. It leans left in its political orientation. While its exact circulation numbers are not made public, its influence is significant, especially given its long-standing tradition of exposing political and business scandals.

Le Monde Diplomatique

Founded in 1954 as a journal to keep diplomats up-to-date on world events, Le Monde Diplomatique is a monthly newspaper offering an in-depth analysis of current affairs. It tends to have a left-leaning, anti-neoliberal stance. Its global circulation, including all languages, was about 2.2 million.

Les Echos

Les Echos, founded in 1908, is France’s foremost financial newspaper, similar to the Wall Street Journal in the US. Its coverage includes in-depth financial and economic analysis. Its political leanings are centrist to center-right. Its circulation was approximately 120,000.

L’Équipe

L’Équipe is a daily sports newspaper founded in 1946 and has a circulation of about 300,000. Though it doesn’t have a specific political leaning due to its sports focus, it is an important part of the French media industry due to its extensive coverage of both national and international sports.

20 Minutes

20 Minutes, established in 2002, is a free, daily newspaper aimed at commuters in France. It is politically neutral and covers a broad range of topics, from international news to local news, as well as sports and entertainment. The circulation of 20 Minutes was over 2.3 million, making it one of the more widely read newspapers in France.