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“Les Animaux de la Nuit” — Night Animals Song in French for Kids

In “Les Animaux de la Nuit” (Night Animals), kids sing key French words like le hibou, la chauve-souris, la luciole and le grillon, going back and forth between English and French, so the meaning is never a mystery. It's a early-learner (A1) song from Unit 27: Bedtime Lullabies, 4:50 long, made for ages 2–8.

  • 🇫🇷 French
  • Level: A1
  • Unit 27 · Berceuses
  • ⏱ 4:50
  • 🔒 Premium

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“Les Animaux de la Nuit” lyrics with English translation

Every line as it's sung, with its meaning beside it. French is shown in teal.

Song lyrics with translation. French lines are shown in teal.
SungMeaning
Who is awake? Qui est réveillé ?
The owl, le hibou, softly says hoo.
Le hibou, the owl, sleepy and slow,
Good night, bonsoir, off you go.
At night, la nuit, the branches sway,
La nuit, at night, the moon keeps watch.
Very softly, tout doucement,
Tout doucement, we walk along.
The firefly, la luciole,
La luciole, a tiny light.
The cricket, le grillon,
Le grillon, sings good night.
Very softly, tout doucement,
Tout doucement, sleep comes near.
Who is awake? Qui est réveillé ?
The bat, la chauve-souris, flutters by.
La chauve-souris, the bat, folds its wings,
Safe in the night, while the quiet sings.En sécurité dans la nuit, pendant que le silence chante.
The hedgehog, le hérisson, snuffles low,
Le hérisson, then rests below.
The fox, le renard, curls up tight,
Le renard is sleeping tonight.
The firefly, la luciole,
La luciole, a tiny light.
The cricket, le grillon,
Le grillon, sings good night.
Very softly, tout doucement,
Tout doucement, sleep comes near.
Who is awake? Qui est réveillé ?
No one now; everyone is sleeping.Plus personne ; tout le monde dort.
Tout le monde dort, everyone is sleeping,
Tout le monde dort, dreams are keeping.
At night, la nuit, the world is still,
La nuit, so calm, so quiet and still.
Tout doucement… very softly…
La nuit… at night…
Tout le monde dort… everyone is sleeping…
Mmm… mmm… bonne nuit.Mmm… mmm… good night.

Key French words in this song

The 10 words and phrases this song is built around.

FrenchEnglish
le hibouthe owl
la chauve-souristhe bat
la luciolethe firefly
le grillonthe cricket
le hérissonthe hedgehog
le renardthe fox
qui est réveillé ?who is awake?
tout le monde dorteveryone is sleeping
la nuitat night
tout doucementvery softly

How to use this song with your child

  1. 1

    Count the “le grillon”s

    “le grillon” means “the cricket” and comes up on 4 lines. Keep count on your fingers together; older kids can try to predict when it's coming next.

  2. 2

    Split the parts

    Once the song is familiar, you sing the English lines and your child sings the French ones, then swap. It turns listening into speaking.

  3. 3

    Make it a routine

    At 4:50, play it once a day at the same moment for a week. Rock a teddy to sleep in time with the music.

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