The Year of the French is an Irish folk album by The Chieftains.

Produced by Paddy Moloney, it was recorded at Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin, in September 1982 and released in 1983.

On this album The Chieftains appeared with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by Proinnsias O'Duinn, and with Ruairi Somers on bagpipes.

All the music was composed and arranged by Paddy Moloney to accompany an RTḖ television series.