The song "Les petits papiers" by Les Croquants is a graceful and poetic meditation on the ways that paper objects can bring comfort, warmth, and beauty into our lives. The central theme of the song is the various types of paper that we encounter in our daily lives and the different ways that they can be used to soothe us or create a sense of wonder.

The song begins by asking for the permission to let small pieces of paper pass through, suggesting a sort of reverence and fragility associated with such ephemeral things. The first verse mentions the soft and delicate nature of paper chiffon and the absorbent qualities of paper buvard, which can be a source of comfort on a difficult evening.

The second verse suggests the danger involved in playing with fire and burning paper objects like paper de riz or papier d'Arménie. Even when something as simple as paper maïs is employed, it can bring warmth and solace. The third verse explores the more artistically-minded types of paper, including the sensuousness of velvet-soft paper from a stationary store or the intricate wonder of music manuscripts and drawings.

The fourth verse reflects on the different meanings of words through paper objects. The slickness of papier glacé, for example, can seem impressive but ultimately lacks substance. Meanwhile, paper carbone creates a temporary impression but is ultimately meaningless.

The fifth verse uses wordplay to reinforce the ideas of the song, with paper machine suggestive of mass production, paper doré indicating the danger of desires and greed, and papier-monnaie indicating the power and importance of economic systems. The final verse underscores the theme of allowing the small, seemingly unimportant things in our lives to hold a special place in our hearts and homes.