It’s not easy to find the perfect tattoo. after all, it is meant to last forever. And if you’re considering a tattoo in French when it’s not your first language, it becomes even more difficult.
but there is a certain je ne sais quoi about getting a tattoo in French. The language of romance has excellent French words for tattoos, with a lot of meaning.
More people than ever are getting tattoos today, and that means it’s harder to stand out. Whether you’re looking for a tasteful word tattoo or something more complex, French tattoos offer a wide variety of meanings and articulation.
From classic quotes to colorful modern expressions, there’s a style to suit everyone. but beware of possible spelling errors!
And with that, here are the best words and phrases for French tattoos, as well as a collection of French symbols that would make a beautiful tattoo you can be proud of.
me. word tattoos
1. love
translation: love
love makes the world go round, as they say, so you can’t go wrong with amour. other variations are:
- mon amour – my love
- l’amour de ma vie – the love of my life
- rêveur – dreamer (masculine)
- rêveuse – dreamer (feminine)
- quelle bonheur – so much happiness
- mon chéri – beloved (masculine)
- ma chérie – darling (feminine)
- belle est la vie – beautiful is life
- crois-en toi – believe in yourself
- oui, pourquoi? – yes, but why?
You can read more expressions of love in French here.
2. review
translation: to dream
Ça fait rêver, which means “that makes you dream”. A dream is a wish of your heart, so why not get a tattoo with the French word rêver? other variations could be:
3. kindness
translation: happiness
Imagine, finding that perfect tattoo and the feeling afterwards: que du bonheur! meaning only happiness! other variations could be:
4. petilant
translation: sparkling or full of life
If you are a person full of personality, you can consider the French word pétillant as a tattoo. note that the e is added to the end of females.
5. wish
translation: goddess
if you know you are a goddess (female), consider the word déesse. other variations include dieu for men.
6. imposing
translation: wonderful or tremendous
formidable is French for “wonderful”. not to be confused with the English faux amis (false friend) formidable which means “inspire fear” or “intimidate”.
You can listen to a famous French stromae song called formidable here.
7. sun
translation: sun
For a more gender-neutral French word, there’s the sun. sol is masculine, but mon soleil, which means my sun, can refer to a man or a woman.
8. wise
translation: wisdom
Another wonderful French word for a tattoo is sagesse, which means wisdom (yours, of course).
In one sentence the famous quote is used: “la sagesse est plus précieuse que les perles, elle a plus de valeur que tous les objets de prix”. means “wisdom is more valuable than pearls, it is more valuable than any costly item.”
9. audacity
translation: bold
If you need a bit of audacity in your life, there is the French word audace. be bold and be free.
10. free spirit
translation: free spirit
and speaking of being free, we have what is an esprit libre, which means “free spirit”.
used in a sentence, we have “l’esprit libre et curieux est ce qui a le plus de prix au monde”. means “the free and curious mind of man is the most valuable thing in the world.”
11. belle âme
translation: beautiful soul
If you want to honor that beautiful soul in your life, why not get a belle âme tattoo?
12. cheri(e)
translation: dear
A simple word for someone who means a lot to you, chéri says it all. note, if you are referring to a beloved woman, add an e to chéri. other variations include:
You can find more French nicknames and terms of endearment here.
ii. French sayings and phrases
1. c’est la vie
translation: that’s life
If you’re looking for a classic French slogan, it’s c’est la vie. When faced with the ups and downs of life, shrug your shoulders, look at his tattoo and don’t let it get you down. this is life.
2. l’espoir fait vivre
translation: hope gives life.
As the saying goes, hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness. life in hope with the french affirmation “l’espoir fait vivre”, which would make a beautiful tattoo.
3. joy of living
translation: joy of living
The French penchant for seeking the joie de vivre in every moment is legendary. remember to seek the joy of life with this classic French phrase as a tattoo.
4. l’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux
translation: what is essential is invisible to the eye.
This classic quote comes from the French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in his famous book Le Petit Prince. The story follows a young prince who visits various planets (including Earth) and makes observations about life and human nature.
5. life in pink
translation: life in pink rose
the phrase that the eternal edith piaf popularized is still alive. see the world through rose-colored glasses, despite what it may throw at you.
☞ read more: funny and interesting quotes about france
6. life is beautiful
translation: life is beautiful
appreciate life with the classic french quote “la vie est belle”. other variations would be:
7. it is une fois
translation: once upon a time
just as all English fairy tales begin with “Once upon a time”, so do French fairy tales begin with “il était une fois”. Start your own fairy tale with this spectacular French tattoo.
8. crois in moi
translation: believe in me
A wonderful self-affirmation would be a French word tattoo with “crois en moi” to show the world your strength. another variation would be:
9. pourquoi pas
translation: why not?
If you ever find yourself holding back from doing something, ask yourself why pas? Sometimes the things that hold us back are only in our minds, so give yourself a visual cue to take that step forward. other variations can be:
10. you are toi-même
translation: be yourself
take off your masks and don’t smile if you don’t want to. be yourself, and the rest will follow.
iii. about strength
1. everything possible
translation: everything is possible
As the English saying goes, the world is your oyster. everything is possible, tout est possible, if you take advantage of every opportunity.
2. jusqu’au combat
translation: until the end
If you’re ready to give everything you’ve got, to the end, why not get a jusqu’au bout tattoo? a simple way to recognize the fighter inside you.
3. tout va pour le mieux
translation: everything is going for the better
Keep that positive spirit going with tout va pour le mieux. It’s all in the attitude, as they say, so show them what you’ve got with this invigorating French tattoo.
4. everything is fine se passer
translation: everything will be fine
Things may not be perfect right now, but like a cat, you’re going to land on your feet. keep your eyes on the prize (or the tattoo) and your focus and drive will make things happen.
5. no, je ne repent laugh
translation: no, I don’t regret anything
every edith piaf song might be a great tattoo, but non, je ne hurte rien, it’s really one of those incontournables (must-see items).
6. strong je suis(e)
translation: I am strong
You’re only as strong as you think you are, so remind yourself of that every day with this powerful statement for a life-changing French tattoo.
note: women should add an e at the end of fort.
7. when on est tombé, il faut savoir se relaver
translation: when you have fallen, you have to know how to get up again.
Don’t let that fallen hurdle get you down. tell yourself to get up and get going.
8. croire l’impossible
translation: believe in the impossible.
Dream the impossible dream and reach for the stars. croire l’impossible in french will make a cool and inspiring tattoo.
9. never a échec, toujours une leçon
translation: never a failure, always a lesson.
Learn from your failures and learn to overcome them with this uplifting French tattoo.
10. the temps are maintenant
translation: now is the time.
The time to act is now. As the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is now. so get going.
11. who hasn’t advanced, pull back.
translation: those who do not advance, go back.
Like a wheelbarrow on a hill, you really have to keep pushing forward. You can find more inspirational quotes in French here.
12. life goes on
translation: life goes on.
“life goes on and so do we, how we do it is no mystery”. Reaffirm your faith after a fall, with this motivational French tattoo.
13. visez the moon
translation: points to the moon.
Reach for the sky and aim for the moon, as the saying goes with this alluring tattoo.
14. quand le vin est tiré, il faut le boire.
translation: when you pour the wine, you have to drink it.
If you love wine, this could be the tattoo for you. You can find more French wine quotes here.
15. dans la vie, tout est signe
translation: in life, everything is a sign.
To navigate life’s journey, you have to know how to read the signs. seize every opportunity and move confidently with this exhilarating French tattoo.
16. on ne fait pas d’omelette sans casser d’œufs.
translation: You don’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs.
sometimes you just have to bang a few heads to get where you need to go. an interesting French food quote, which makes for an original tattoo.
iv. about the family
1. toi et moi
translation: you and me
transcribe your love for each other in ink, with matching toi et moi tattoos, as you listen to french singer guillaume grand sing his love to the lyrics of the same name. you can listen to his song and more french love songs here.
2. you as mon coeur
translation: you have my heart
You know who he is, the one who has your heart in the palm of his hands. Get this tattoo for that special person.
3. accomplice
translation: partner in crime
get matching tattoos with your accomplice aka partner in crime who has always been there for you and promises to always do so. for better or worse.
4. toujours dans mon coeur
translation: always in my heart
With a wistful feeling, get toujours dans mon coeur tattooed over your heart for the person you miss.
5. the death n’arrête pas l’amour
translation: death does not end love
For a soulful tattoo, the famous quote la mort n’arrête pas l’amour comes to mind. You can read more French quotes about life and death here.
6. l’amour avant tout
translation: love before everything
You know what you’re taking by the steps you’re taking. love before everything, and your loved ones before everyone.
7. Être là, maintenance
translation: be here now
Maybe you haven’t always been there in the past, but remembering to be present now is the French phrase Être là, maintenant.
8. je t’aime
translation: I love you
The classic declaration of love may just be the genuinely sincere French tattoo you’re looking for. other variations would include adding your loved one’s name to it, as in “je t’aime, julie.”
You can read more romantic phrases in French here.
9. the avant tout family
translation: family before everything
Put family first, with this visible reminder during your daily routine. a wonderful testament to those close to you.
You can read more French quotes about family here.
10. endless love
translation: endless love
Does your love have no limits? Prove it with this love phrase in French that would make an excellent tattoo.
11. faithful heart
translation: faithful heart
The Anglophone stereotype is that the French are more likely to cheat than other countries, and hence the French phrase “cœur fidèle” was born.
Whether this is true or not, you can read more about French views on love and romance here.
12. on ne peut vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche
translation: You can live on love and fresh water.
One of the famous French quotes about love declares that you need nothing else to survive, only love and water. You can read more interesting love phrases in French here, before getting a tattoo.
flowers and symbols
1. lily of the valley
Muguet, known in English as the lily of the valley, has an important meaning in French culture. It is a flower that is traditionally offered in France at the beginning of May as a symbol of the arrival of spring and to bring luck.
may 1st is also labor day in france and a public holiday in france, making it a special day to celebrate with a bouquet of flowers.
2. lavender
straight from the lavender fields of provence, this delicate flower with its sweet scent will remind you of sunny days in the south of france.
3. fleur-de-lys
As a symbol of French royalty, you’ll see the fleur-de-lis on all of France’s historic monuments. Queen Marie Antoinette may have lost her mind, but the majestic masterpieces built by the kings and queens of France still reign supreme. you can read more about the French royalty who changed history here.
4. the coke
if you’ve ever seen the french team in action at the olympic games, you’ll notice that one of the symbols of france is the coq (rooster). The Coq symbol adorns the uniforms of the French national team in many varied designs, as well as in many other places.
You can read more about France here.
5. mariana
another of the main symbols of france is the female figure known as marianne. Usually dressed in white, with a red Phrygian cap (a soft conical cap with the apex turned up), she became a symbol after the French revolution and her model is displayed in all official buildings today.
6. french flag
You can’t be more French than the French flag. Get a small tattoo on the Drapeau Bleu Blanc Rouge to declare your love for France.
7. eiffel tower
if paris is where your heart is, why not get an eiffel tower tattoo? the symbol of the city that has lasted more than 130 years. You can read more facts about Paris here.
8. glass of wine
With several wine-producing regions in France, there is no doubt that French wines are legendary. from champagnes to burgundy, there are wines for everyone. For wine lovers, a drawing of a wine glass could be the tattoo for you.
9. snail
One of the most famous French delicacies, once you try escargot you’ll wonder why you waited so long to try it. So what could be more French than getting a tattoo of a little snail?
You can read more about French food here.
11. croissant
if not a macaron, maybe a croissant? Champion’s breakfast! (Not really, if you start counting calories, but we wish you did.)
10. macaroons
france may have many wonderful desserts, but the macaron has become more than just a dessert to become a symbol.
12. baguette
Just remember the Anglophone joke: if you walk into a boulangerie (bakery) for a baguette and can’t remember whether to order a baguette or a baguette, just order deux (two) baguettes. or maybe two tattoos?
Have you found your perfect French tattoo? For more inspiration, check out our favorite French quotes and sayings. a bientôt!
