The French translation of Battle of the Planets was called La Bataille des Planetes and the situations and stories were translated faithfully from the American source. It ran as a fully dubbed version in France. Of all the countries around the world to receive Battle of the Planets, France embraced the series the most. Even so, the country only appeard to have aired sixty-seven of the eighty-five total episodes.

To make matters even more interesting, the program aired in two separate chunks in France. The series was purchased by and broadcast on the country's national TF-1 network for both runs. The first batch of fifty-two episodes began airing in September 15, 1979 and ran through September, 1983. The second batch consisting of twenty-one episodes - six episodes duplicated from the first run and fifteen previously unaired - began in January, 1984 and ran on and off through January, 1986.

A French TV listing for the Wednesday, January 16, 1980 airing of "The Space Rock Concert 41" during TF1's "Wednesday Visitors" children's TV block. Its airing time was 2:05pm. Below the listing is an ad for the fourth issue of the monthly Battle of the Planets magazine.

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French TV listing for the Wednesday, September 10, 1980 airing of "Super Space Spies 86." Its airing time was 3:37pm.

The differences to the American version amounted mainly to name changes. Here is a list of the main American names, French names and cast.

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Sandy Frank's surviving records and copies include fifty-nine of eighty-five Battle of the Planets translated into French. However, television listings indicate sixty-seven episodes were actually aired. When the series was later released on DVD only fifty-nine episodes were included. Below are the episode titles, linked to the English versions of the episodes. The episodes that may still be missing are indicated in italics and with a plus sign (+). Otherwise, all other episodes still exist and were released on home video. The episodes appeared to be aired in Gatchaman airing order.

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One of the most notable differences in the French version is the fact it starts off with a different opening theme song. This was typical of the era, several countries created their own theme songs for adapted programs. Although the music was Hoyt Curtin's, the French version added lyrics written by Michel Gatineau (who also portrayed Chief Anderson) and performed by Michel Barouille. They called their theme "The Archangels," and it was released on 45s and LPs in France.

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Lyrics to "The Archangels"
(Hoyt S. Curtin - Michel Gatineau)

More brilliant than quicksilver
More powerful than hurricanes
These archangels of our time
They are but mere children
They are G-Force!

These archangels of our time
They are but mere children
They are G-Force!

They protect the oppressed world...
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Not only were there several monthly magazines and comics devoted to the show, there were a number of exclusive items of merchandise that American kids would have lusted after. For a look at some of the merchandise released in France, click here. The entire fifty-nine episodes of the French-dubbed La Bataille Des Planetes were released on VHS and DVD, both DVD and VHS versions were released in two separate box sets in 2002.

A poster from French broadcaster TF1 and toymaker Ceji, promoting the start of Battle of the Planets. It reads:

Make your reservations
for 'The Battle of the Planets'

Every Wednesday
on TF1 from 9/15/79 to 12/30/80
A fantastic series
with the heroes: Mark, Princess,
Jason, Tiny, Keyop and
the spaceship 'Phoenix.'