Poulenc studied piano with several noted teachers but taught himself composition. His first published work, Rapsodie négre (1917), for solo voice and chamber orchestra, appeared when the composer was serving in the French army during World War I. In 1920 Poulenc joined five other composers, in a group known as Les Six, in rebelling against the influence of such conservative French composers as Claude Debussy, Vincent D'Indy, and César Franck (see Six, Les).

Poulenc's works are harmonically conservative, light, satiric, and tuneful. He wrote many highly esteemed songs, including the cycle Le bestiaire (The Zoo, 1919), and became noted for his ability to match his music to the rhythms of the language. Among his stage works are the ballet Les biches (The Does, 1924), produced by the Russian impresario Sergey Diaghilev; the comic opera Les mamelles de Tirésias (The Breasts of Tiresias, 1946); and the serious opera Les dialogues des Carmélites (1957). His cantata Figure humaine (1945) was inspired by the French Resistance to German occupation during World War II. 

His other works include the Concert champêtre (Pastoral Concerto, 1928); Aubade (1929), for dancer, piano, and chamber orchestra; and works for organ (concerto), piano and for violin.