Paris in Bleu Blonde Rouge

Few paintings in the Louvre are as unforgettable as The Raft of the Medusa , but behind Théodore Géricault's masterpiece lies one of the most horrifying true stories in French history. In this episode, we uncover the disastrous 1816 voyage of the Méduse , a shipwreck caused by political favoritism, incompetence, and arrogance during the Bourbon Restoration. Stranded on a makeshift raft, 147 p...

When the giant silver Olympic balloon rose above the Jardin des Tuileries during the Paris 2024 Games, it instantly became one of the city's most unforgettable sights. But in Paris, almost nothing exists without a connection to the past. In this episode, we uncover the remarkable history behind the Olympic cauldron and why a balloon was the perfect symbol. From the daring experiments of the M...

Poison, black magic, royal mistresses, and murder at the highest levels of French society—welcome to one of the most shocking scandals in French history. In this episode, we dive into the infamous Affair of the Poisons, the dark conspiracy that gripped Paris and the court of Versailles during the reign of King Louis XIV. What began with the crimes of Marie-Madeleine d'Aubray, the Marquise de...

She is the most famous painting in the world, and everyone has an opinion of her. Are there better paintings in the Louvre? Sure, but she also deserves every bit of fame she has garnered for many reasons. Sadly, because of the chaos that surrounds her, you aren’t able to truly appreciate her the way you might other paintings. Who is the woman behind the most famous painting in the world? Was she t...

Pont Neuf wasn’t just the “new bridge,” it was so much more. Sure, it was the first in stone, without houses, the widest and the longest, and the first to have sidewalks in Europe. It was also the first celebrity monument in Paris. People traveled from all over Europe to see it, including Peter the Great. In 1717, Peter arrived in Paris after visiting Amsterdam to collect books, check in on Madame...

The debate surrounding the new stained-glass windows of Notre-Dame de Paris has reignited a familiar question: how much of the past should be preserved, and how much should be reimagined?  In this episode, we explore the controversial plans to replace historic windows in the cathedral and place the discussion within a much larger story. From revolutions and restorations to political movements and...

The last restored large-format painting by Eugène Delacroix has finally returned to the Pompei red walls of the Salle Mollien at the Musée du Louvre. Since 2019, the Louvre has been restoring the king of the Romantic movement's paintings.  Last week, the fifth and final from the master of color was revealed. The Capture of Constantinople by the Crusaders, April 12, 1204. Before the restoratio...

The jewels of the French Crown were never just glittering ornaments. They were symbols of power, legitimacy, dynasty, and empire. For centuries, they adorned kings, queens, emperors, and empresses, surviving revolution, theft, exile, and war. But after the fall of Napoleon III in 1870, the new Republic feared that these treasures represented something even more dangerous: the possibility that Fran...

On May 13, 1610, after finally giving in, Henri IV watched his wife, Marie de Medici, be crowned as the queen of France in the Basilique Saint Denis.  The next day, his life would end In this week's episode, we look at the tragic end of the beloved king of France.  With twists and turns that include his skull, which may have been found three hundred years after he died, and where you can find...

On May 5, 1821, 205 years ago, at 5:49 pm on the remote island of Saint Helene, Napoleon Bonaparte took his last breath at the young age of 51.  Between 1814 and his final day in 1821, Napoleon was exiled twice. Toss in Waterloo in the middle, and his last years didn't really play out as he had hoped.  In this episode, we take a closer look at his final months, battling cancer and ending in h...

In 1981, the newly elected president, François Mitterand, announced his Grand Travaux project that would change the face of Paris, and none more so than the Musée du Louvre.  Mitterand had one man in mind for the job, the Chinese American architect I.M. Pei, a master architect who blended glass, concrete, stone, and metal.  In this episode, we dive deep into the project and the design elements of...

It was 6 months ago, on October 19, 2025, on a Sunday morning in Paris, that a brazen heist of the French Crown jewels struck the  Musée du Louvre.   In this week’s episode of the Paris in Bleu Blonde Rouge podcast, we go deep into the details of the theft, the history of the stolen jewels, where they are in the investigation, and what has changed at the Louvre.  For more info and photos, check Cl...

Seven years ago this week, a moment few will ever forget. At 6:18 pm on Monday, April 15, 2019, flames erupted in the roof of the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris, and over the following hours, the 12th- and 13th-century forest would be destroyed. In 7 years, the cathedral came close to destruction and underwent a Renaissance that would return Notre Dame to the 19th century.  Without the fire, you an...

Created in the 2nd Century BC, the great statue of the Goddess Venus was uncovered on the Island of Mélos in the south Aegean Sea, part of the Cycladic archipelago, today’s Greece.  The Venus de Milo, or more accurately the Aphrodite of Mélos, was found on April 8, 1820, by a farmer, Yorgos Kentrots.  The next few figures, which are said to have been part of her discovery, tell a lengthy story.  W...

This spring, the Musée d'Orsay is holding two fantastic exhibits dedicated to Pierre-Auguste Renoir.  Renoir and Love of his paintings and Renoir Dessinateur filled with his drawings, pastels, watercolors, and more.  In this week's episode , we take a closer look at Renoir's two major paintings, Bal du Moulin de la Galette and The Luncheon of the Boating Party, as well as his trio o...

The Jardin du Luxembourg was created under Marie de Medici, the Florentine wife of King Henri IV. After his death on May 14, 1610, she wanted to create a home that reminded her of her childhood in Florence, at the Medici Palazzo Pitti and its Boboli Gardens.  Today, it is one of the greatest places in the entire city to sit and watch the day pass under the quiet plane trees.  Listen to the story o...

Notre-Dame de Paris houses many essential items, including the most important relic in the world: the Crown of Thorns.  But why is it in Paris, you ask? In this week's episode, I will share the entire story of this precious piece of history.  For more info and photos check ClaudineHemingway.com Coming to Paris? Book a walking tour or let me customize your time in Paris.  ClaudineHemingway.com...

Surprise, bringing you a new episode a day early.  Two hundred thirty years ago today, on March 9, 1796, Napoleon and Josephine wed in a late, rushed, candlelit ceremony.  It's one of the most famous love stories in history. It's slightly misunderstood but fascinating nonetheless.  Listen to the story with a little extra history on another event that happened the same day in 1661. Claudi...

Berthe Morisot was one of the few women of the Impressionist Movement.  With her dark locks and stunning gaze, was the perfect model for Édouard Manet.  However, unlike most female models-turned-artists, she is actually known as one of the first incredible female Impressionists. If you are near Cleveland, check out the exhibit opening at the end of March dedicated to Manet and Morisot. For more in...

She was the last Favorite and Head Mistress of France and the love of Louis XV. Jeanne Bécu would become Madame du Barry and hold court at the Château de Versailles in the last years of Louis XV's life. In this episode, we dive deep into the rise and fall of Madame du Barry. A life that isn't always given a fair shake, but also holds many questions.  For more, check ClaudineHemingway.com...

Known as the mistress to the king, Madame de Pompadour was much more than that, and we can thank her still today for beautiful buildings, art, porcelain, and even a diamond. In this week's newest episode, we cover the life of this amazing woman and her influence on French culture.  A recent visit to her private apartments at the Chateau de Versailles brings her story to life.  Claudinehemingw...

Bonjour, Bonjour, and welcome to Episode 5 of Paris in Bleu Blonde Rouge. This week, we look back at the fire that destroyed the Petite Galerie but would allow the stunning Galerie d'Apollon to rise in the 17th century.  Support the show

For just seven days, under the beautiful glass-and-iron roof of the Grand Palais, there is a sight that hasn’t ever been seen since they were created in the 17th century. Stretched out across the over 650-foot-long nave, 31 of the 93 carpets intended for the Palais du Louvre and created by Charles le Brun under Louis XIV are a sight to behold.  On display until February 8th and free to the public,...

In 1772, jewelers created a lavish necklace of 685 diamonds for Louis XV's mistress, but he died before it was completed. When Marie Antoinette refused the expensive piece, saying "We have more need of 24 ships," con artist Jeanne de la Motte saw her opportunity. Jeanne, an illegitimate descendant of Henri II seeking to reclaim her family's fortune, manipulated Cardinal Rohan, ...

On January 22, 1793, at 10:15 am, Louis XVI walked up the scaffolding, and seven minutes later, his life was over.  Join me as we explore the fateful story of Louis XVI and the events that led to his death. Hang onto the end for a few tips and tricks for your visit to Paris as well as the newest information on the Louvre Heist that happened three months ago.  ClaudineHemingway.com to book tours, p...