French music is rich and diverse with different genres of music that are known worldwide. France is the birthplace of several artistic and social movements and is home to a diverse musical tradition. French music includes traditional, folk, and contemporary music genres that were developed in France. These range from medieval classical music to contemporary street hip-hop and include famous genres like chanson and influential composers such as Georges Bizet.
Other French-speaking areas like Quebec, some African nations, islands of the Pacific and neighboring Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg also produce music in French. However, these areas have significant cultural and historical differences. When they come together and both create the beautiful music, they are referred to as francophone music.
French classical music traces back to its earliest known pieces in the 10th century, and spans to more recent compositions like Maurice Emmanuel. It combines the music from several musical instruments in complex symphonies with occasional present.
French classical music first gained popularity among wealthy families, during the Romantic era of the 19th century. Great composers of the time created famous pieces that gained international recognition and are still admired, including Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy.
During the 1950s and 1960s, France found its regional culture reviving traditional folk music. Brittany, Limousin, Gascony, and Corsica were among the regions that experienced a notable resurgence in the popularity of folk music. Folk traditions were also revived in recent years to cater to tourists. France as a country does not have its own singular style of Folk music. Folk music really changes depending on which part of the country in which you reside.
The music of France reflects a diverse array of styles. In the field of classical music, France has produced several prominent romantic composers, while folk and popular music have seen the rise of the chanson and cabaret style.