French influencers have never been so powerful. In 2026, they no longer just post photos or videos: they launch brands, shape cultural trends, and bring together communities of several million people. YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat… every platform has its must-follow figures. Here is our selection of the 7 French influencers dominating the digital scene this year, and everything you need to know about them.
The 7 most popular French influencers of the moment
Tibo InShape
Number of subscribers on YouTube: 26.8 million
Number of followers on Instagram: 17.2 million
Number of followers on TikTok: 13.9 million
Thibaud Delapart, aka Tibo InShape, was born on January 19, 1992, in Toulouse. What he has become is almost a miracle: launched in 2013 from his bedroom with a basic smartphone, he is now the number 1 French-speaking YouTuber, with nearly 27 million subscribers.
Initially a fitness specialist, he gradually expanded his universe to comedy, social challenges, and viral formats, reaching an audience far beyond bodybuilding enthusiasts. His shift to YouTube Shorts in 2024 triggered exponential growth that allowed him to overtake Squeezie, who had held the top spot for nearly five years.
In 2026, Tibo remains constantly on the move: he is developing his nutrition brand InShape, collaborating with other international creators, and maintaining a daily presence on all his networks. Married to Justine Becattini, aka Juju FitCats, the couple forms one of the most followed duos in French fitness.
Key achievements:
More than 8 billion cumulative views on YouTube. Most followed French influencer on Instagram among native content creators (excluding athletes). Average audience per video: between 5 and 10 million views.
Squeezie
Number of subscribers on YouTube: 19.3 million
Number of followers on Instagram: 8.8 million
Lucas Hauchard, aka Squeezie, is the very definition of a pioneer. Active since 2010, he has navigated every era of French YouTube without ever losing his legitimacy. What makes him unique is his ability to reinvent himself: starting from pure gaming, he has become a true organizer of virtual shows with his GP Explorer events, which bring together hundreds of thousands of viewers simultaneously.
In 2026, Squeezie reaches a new milestone by co-launching Ciao Energy with Léna Situations and Inoxtag, an energy drink sold in supermarkets that sold out even before its official release date. Proof that his influence goes far beyond the screen.
Key achievements:
More than 10 billion cumulative views. Record of 450,000 simultaneous viewers on Twitch during Z Event 2021. Ciao Kombucha, his first beverage brand, ranked in the Top 15 non-alcoholic beverage brands in France in 2025.
Léna Situations
Number of subscribers on YouTube: 4.8 million
Number of followers on Instagram: several million
Léna Mahfouf, aka Léna Situations, is the ultimate lifestyle and fashion reference in France. What sets her apart from other content creators is her claimed authenticity: she talks about her doubts, her mental health, her life choices, and this transparency has built a community of rare loyalty.
Walking the red carpet in Cannes, collaborating with the biggest fashion houses, a book, a podcast… Léna has built an empire far beyond social media. In 2026, she co-launches Ciao Energy alongside Squeezie and Inoxtag, confirming her status as an entrepreneur as much as an influencer.
Key achievements:
Presence at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival (walking the red carpet at the closing ceremony). Co-founder of Ciao Energy, sold out from launch. Fashion and lifestyle reference for 18-30 year olds in France.
Léa Elui
Number of followers on TikTok: 18.1 million
Number of followers on Instagram: 10.3 million
Léa Elui is the undisputed queen of TikTok in France. With 18.1 million followers on the platform, she is one of the country’s most followed creators, and her posting consistency combined with a perfect mastery of algorithmic trends make her a textbook case.
A trained dancer, she built her audience on viral dance videos before expanding her content to lifestyle, fashion, and travel. Her ability to ride every new TikTok trend in real time allows her to maintain constant visibility and continuous growth, where many other creators stagnate.
Key achievements:
Number 1 French female influencer on TikTok with 18.1 million followers. Strong simultaneous presence on Instagram (10.3 million). Engagement rate higher than the global average for French TikTok influencers.
Inoxtag
Number of subscribers on YouTube: 8.99 million
Number of followers on TikTok: several million
Inès Benazzouz, aka Inoxtag, embodies a new generation of creators who no longer limit themselves to the screen. Starting from gaming, he gradually shifted towards physical challenges and extreme adventures, culminating in his ascent of Everest in 2024—a project documented on YouTube that generated global buzz and transformed his career.
This XXL project allowed him to go beyond the usual scope of influence to become a true cultural phenomenon. In 2026, he co-launches Ciao Energy with Squeezie and Léna Situations, bringing his adventure and gaming community to this alliance of creator-entrepreneurs.
Key achievements:
The ascent of Everest in 2024: global buzz and explosion of subscribers. Co-founder of Ciao Energy, launched on June 1, 2026, with immediate stockouts. Testified at the National Assembly on the effects of TikTok on minors in 2025.
McFly & Carlito
Number of subscribers on YouTube: 13 million
Number of followers on Instagram: several million
David Coscas and Raphaël Carlier form the strongest duo on French YouTube. McFly & Carlito is, above all, a sincere chemistry that can be felt on screen, and that is exactly what has kept their audience loyal for years. Good-natured humor, improbable challenges, communicative energy: their recipe is simple, but it works on an impressive scale.
In 2021, their collaboration with Emmanuel Macron—who had agreed to shoot a video with them if their music video reached 10 million views—propelled them into another media dimension. In 2026, they launch Brosti, their brand of potato chips available in supermarkets, fitting into the trend of influencer-entrepreneurs conquering the shelves.
Key achievements:
Historic collaboration with Emmanuel Macron in 2021. Launch of Brosti, their brand of potato chips, available in supermarkets starting June 2026. One of the most engaged and loyal YouTube communities in France.
Nasdas
Number of subscribers on Snapchat: 9 million
Number of followers on Instagram: 2.1 million
Nasser Sari, aka Nasdas, is undoubtedly the most atypical profile in this ranking. Born on June 3, 1996, in Perpignan, he has established himself as the number 1 influencer on Snapchat in France, a platform that many observers had buried too quickly. His content, filmed in his Saint-Jacques neighborhood, mixes humor, neighborhood life, and open generosity—he regularly redistributes money to his community and his neighborhood, earning him the nickname ‘digital Robin Hood’.
What makes Nasdas fascinating is that he remains largely unknown to the general public while generating hundreds of thousands of daily views among 15-24 year olds. In 2026, after several months of absence due to stress and health issues, he announced his return to social media with a new team, immediately reigniting the excitement of his millions of followers.
Key achievements:
Number 1 influencer on Snapchat in France with 9 million subscribers. Estimated earnings between 7 000 and 41 000 dollars per day thanks to Snapchat monetization. Heard by the parliamentary commission of inquiry into the effects of TikTok on minors in June 2025.
What is a French influencer?
A French influencer is a content creator who regularly produces posts on social media and has an engaged community within the national territory. They can play several roles: educator, entertainer, brand recommender, or entrepreneur. In 2026, the line between influencer and business owner has largely blurred: the most powerful creators are launching their own brands, investing in startups, and directly influencing the purchasing behavior of millions of consumers.
Learn more about the top 15 Parisian influencers
Why are French influencers so powerful in 2026?
The influencer market in France is experiencing annual growth of over 8% and now has more than 150,000 active creators. But what distinguishes 2026 from previous years is the structuring of the sector: influencers are no longer just advertising relays, they have become true economic players. The launch of Ciao Energy by Squeezie, Léna Situations, and Inoxtag, or Brosti chips by McFly & Carlito, illustrates this shift: a brand backed by creators can now sell out in supermarkets from its very first day of commercialization.
French influence on social media
Which platforms dominate in France in 2026?
YouTube remains the benchmark platform for French creators in terms of subscriber volume and revenue. TikTok stands out as the most powerful engine for virality, especially among under-25s. Instagram is the central platform for lifestyle, fashion, and brand partnerships. Snapchat, often underestimated, remains an essential channel for reaching 15-24 year olds with highly engaged audiences, as proven by the Nasdas case. Twitch completes this picture for gaming and live formats.
What type of content works best?
The best-performing formats are spectacular challenges and adventures, authentic vlogs, educational content, and collaborations between creators. In 2026, projects that go beyond the digital scope, such as Inoxtag’s Everest or retail brands, generate the biggest engagement peaks because they tell a story that goes beyond a simple sponsored post.
How to collaborate with a French influencer?
Working with a French influencer is not just about subscriber numbers. The essential criteria are the real engagement rate (ideally above 3-4%), the alignment between the audience and your target customer, the quality and consistency of the content, and the authenticity of the relationship with the community. Tools like HypeAuditor or Kolsquare allow you to verify audience quality and detect fake followers before any partnership.
Why work with a specialized agency?
The influencer market is complex and constantly evolving. A specialized agency allows you to identify the most relevant profiles for your sector, structure your campaigns with measurable objectives, and avoid classic mistakes: poor audience/brand alignment, insufficient brief, or partnering with a creator whose values do not match yours. In 2026, a poorly chosen influencer represents as much of a reputational risk as a missed opportunity.