What was a secular French song of the medieval period?

A secular French song from the medieval period is referred to as a chanson. The chanson emerged during the late medieval era and typically focuses on themes of love, courtship, and various aspects of daily life, distinguishing it from religious music forms.

During this time, the chanson was typically composed for solo voice with accompaniment and played an important role in the development of French music and poetry. This genre allowed for greater expression of individual emotions and experiences, reflecting the cultural shifts occurring in France.

The ballade also exists as a form of music from this period, particularly in a poetic sense, but it is often associated more with a specific structure in poetry rather than solely a musical form. Conversely, a motet is a sacred choral work and a mass refers to the central act of worship in the Christian tradition, both of which are religious rather than secular.