I think it all too easy to fall into the trap of nationalistic stereotypes when it comes to identifying artists or albums that we like to think are representative of the best of a country's contribution to Prog. That said, I do feel that French Prog does have a theatrical, dramatic and melodramatic bent as exemplified by Ange, Arachnoid, Halloween, Magma and Shylock etc For me the 'best' album I've heard (and that means I've heard very little French Prog) might be Au-dela Du Delire by Ange

My favourite for the time being - and has been for the past couple of years, is Nil's masterpiece Nil Novo Sub Sole. I saw John mentioning earlier, but man this album just doesn't get the attention it truly deserves. One of the best progressive albums during the past 25 years and I'm not even exaggerating here people.
Other faves of mine:
Arachnoid
Bernard Perganotti - Paga
Triode - On n'a pas fini d'avoir tout vu
Catherine Ribeiro + Les Alpes - Paix

A bit of a let down here, because many of my fave French artists recorded instrumental albums - at least they didn't exactly use their native tongue. Acts like Igor Wakhewicth (I'll never learn to spell that), Laurent Thibault and Magma.

Anyone heard about Christian Szajner from Switzerland ? He recorded the album in english : "Brute Reason" with Howard Devoto in the early eighties. He also invented the laser harp. I met him last year in Paris in  a museum. He's a kind of painter now.

Alan Stivell's "Reflets" comes to mind - celtic prog folk, but some sung in English and some in Breton

There is no best French Prog album.  I have a big French Prog collection as that used to be what I primarily collected.  Most of my favourites are instrumental, and Art Zoyd's Generation Sans Futur is a particular favourite (has some vocals, but... and Igor Wakhevitch made other faves).  In terms of ones with French lyrics though, the first to spring to my mind is Pascal Duffard's Dieu est Fou.

Pascal Duffard's Dieu est fou is amazing ! I didn't know that guy. Thanks !

I'd say that I really like the two Harmonium albums but I'd add Ange - Au Dela du Délire and Émile Jacotey. Maybe some Miriodor too. And Etron Fou Leloublan. And...

I have few albums from France (or Quebec), and fewer that have vocals at all, much less in French.  In fact I believe the only album I have that qualifies is Halloween Merlin.  Possibly I should work on changing that!

kenethlevine wrote:   yes Alan Stivell in rock.  I saw him live on my birthday years ago with a band.  He opened with Brian Boru, excellent!  Which rock album of his would you recommend the most?

Totaly with you guys on Au-Delà du Délire, by far my favorite French album.