The Earful Tower: Paris

I didn't know the 7th district of Paris very well until this week.  Thanks to the mysterious Goddess of Fortune (aka Leah Walker from Paris Perfect rentals), Lina and I have landed in a luxury apartment by the Eiffel Tower for two weeks.  Leah, who runs the social media for Paris Perfect, joined me for a chat about the 7th district, what it's like without the tourist (France's borders are still cl...

The vast majority of restaurants in Paris are still closed due to the lockdown. Those that have opened their doors are only offering takeaway.  So what does an acclaimed restaurant critic like Alec Lobrano do instead?  I chatted with the American writer about all things food, his life under lockdown, and how every Paris restaurant is like a theatre.  We also talk about the future of the Paris rest...

The lockdown is lifted. We can go out without permission, without a reason, and for as long as we wish.  I chatted with Ariel Weil, the mayor of the Marais, about what will happen now. About how the city will change. About what a mayor does in lockdown. And much more.  Thanks for listening - and thanks for helping me reach a million downloads! Merci! Become a member here: www.patreon.com/theearful...

Today it's an excerpt from the audio experience for my new memoir, Paris On Air.  It's Eddie Gee, my little brother, reading his lines with me as we retell the story of our first trip to Paris.  If you enjoy it, please buy the full audio experience for just €20. The first five chapters are ready to go.  Want each segment as it's recorded? Join Patreon for $10 a month and become a member for more l...

Guy Griffin from Cafe Oberkampf and Cafe Mericourt joins the show to talk about the restaurant industry in Paris and how it'll cope during the lockdown... and then what'll come next. He discusses his rethinking of the hospitality industry, the government's "chômage partiel" for staff members (part-time unemployment), and his plans to reopen.  And he says the days of sitting in a Paris cafe all day...

Paris has been closed down for about six weeks now and everyone's life has changed. Last week I checked in on friends of the show to hear about how the city looks different.  This week I'm talking with three Paris influential online personalities to hear how the Paris lockdown has affected their respective businesses. Here are the links to the guests, how you can find them online, and where you ca...

Paris has been closed down for over a month now. Me, I'm confined to a radius of 1km in peaceful Montmartre... but was wondering what the rest of the city looks like. This episode features chats with five friends of the show, sharing their lockdown observations from their respective corners of Paris.  Here are the links to the guests and what they mentioned, in order of appearance. (From 3.55) Ver...

Lina Nordin Gee aka @parisianpostcards on Instagram has been painting a watercolour every day about Paris, France, and famous French faces.  She's the guest on today's podcast, sharing the stories behind her paintings, what it's like to have your real job put on hold, and what it's like to host a Paris-themed quiz night every weekend.  Links:  Lina's paintings on Instagram here: https://www.instag...

When the lockdown hit Paris, all non essential work was forbidden. So a local film crew didn't have time to remove a huge set on rue Androuet in Montmarte.  I've been visiting the street since they started building, here's the strange and slightly eerie story, with the help of an American whose home was taken over by the film, and one of the actors.  There are 100+ pictures on my site: https://the...

Unbelievable. After a strange dream, I found myself with a direct phone number for Ernest Hemingway in 1925. I called the number... here's what happened.  Afterwards, I spoke with Sam Lopez-Barrantes who gives Hemingway tours. Here he is on Twitter if you wanna book one of his tours when things get back to normal.  Support The Earful on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/theearfultower

It has been two weeks and we're keeping busy to keep sane.  Pub quizzes, puzzles, and daily sketches - here's how we're keeping busy while staying home.  Also... The books arrived! Get yours here: https://theearfultower.com/memoir/

Italy is about a week ahead of France when it comes to the coronavirus. Italy is the worst affected country in the world with 7,500 deaths as of March 25th.  I chatted with an Australian freelance journalist, Josephine McKenna, who has been living in Italy for 12 years, for her take on the scene.  While this is a podcast about Paris, I thought it would be informative and interesting to learn what...

A friend of mine, 45-year-old David, has been in quarantine after coming down with the virus that's bringing the world to a standstill. When he told me the news, and told me what he had to do to keep his girlfriend and unborn child safe, I asked if he'd share the story with us all. So here's that story. David, a Breton "stuck in Paris", tells of how he caught the virus, what it did to him, and how...

Day four of the lockdown. Police have given out 18,000 fines to people caught outside without their note.  Me and my wife Lina are in our 30 sqm apartment in Montmartre (322sq feet) watching life from the balcony.  We talk about the guilt in going out for exercise, the Rear Window life, and visits to the bakery.  Find Lina's stuff on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/parisianpostcards/ Buy...

Paul from Le Peloton cafe already had a lot on his plate. He co-runs a cafe in the Marais and a popular bike tour company (Bike About Tours)... not to mention he's a father of three!  So as you can imagine, it was a kick in the shins to learn that he had 100 percent cancellations for the bike tours, then had to close down the cafe. He's today's guest on The Earful, sharing his story via telephone....

Paris is on lockdown. We've been told to stay home, only to leave for a very good reason (and with a note to prove it to police).  My journalistic instincts have kicked in, so it's time to take a break from the regular show and focus on Paris during this historic time.  Expect more regular episodes shining a light (and hopefully some positivity) on this unusual time.  Expect interviews with people...

It's chef and blogging superstar David Lebovitz talking about his new book, Drinking French. We also talk about the 11th arrondissement,  His book is available now and it's called Drinking French: The Iconic Cocktails, Apéritifs, and Café Traditions of France, with 160 Recipes. Find out more on www.davidlebovitz.com After David it's tour guide Bertrand from My Private Paris talking about the court...

What's the latest with the Coronavirus in France and Paris? Should you cancel your trip? How is daily life affected? I asked these questions to Ben McPartland, the editor of The Local, Europe's News in English. The Local Europe, especially The Local France, has loads of practical information and advice about what's going on with the Coronavirus. Keep an eye on them for further updates.  www.theloc...

A chat with Nico, the owner of Holybelly, which is the hippest and most happening cafe restaurant in Paris. Maybe even France.  We talk about the secret to success, how Holybelly has gone beyond the hype and turned into an institution, and the time basketball superstar LeBron James came for breakfast. We also talk about what to order if you find yourself in a terrible Paris restaurant, a few tips...

Today's chat is with model Caroline de Maigret, who has just published a book about ageing called Older But Better, But Older. She's the ultimate Parisienne, if you ask me.  If you want to find more from Caroline, check out her Instagram page here .  After the chat, it's tour guide Bertrand from My Private Paris talking about the fascinating history of the ninth district.  My Private Paris is the...

Today's chat is an on-the-go episode co-hosted by my wife Lina. We visit all kinds of amazing spots, including the Champs-Elysées, the Petit Palais, Ladurée and more. Find the full details and my full guide to Paris by becoming a Patreon member. After the chat, it's tour guide Marie from My Private Paris talking about the fascinating burial spot of Louis the 16th and Marie Antoinette, which was al...

Today's chat is with tour guides Marie and Bertrand from My Private Paris. They share what they consider to be the seven wonders of the district.  I'll add all this to a blog post soon, be sure to check it out! My Private Paris is the boutique tour agency sponsoring this podcast season. Find out more about My Private Paris here (and tell them I sent you!) Support The Earful Tower on Patreon here t...

Hello everyone! It's a bonus episode today, co-starring my little brother Eddie.  We're talking about your impressions from your first trip to Paris. Me and Eddie went through a wild ordeal ourselves about 13 years ago, and we share that story too.  But we mostly focus on the best stories from you listeners. We sifted through hundreds of responses and share the top ones.  During Eddie's visit to P...

Hello everyone! It's season seven of The Earful Tower, and I'm exploring each of the 20 arrondissements in order. Seeming we're in the sixth week of the year, it's over to the sixth arrondissement.  Today's chat is with Laurel and Kaysa from Treize au jardin, a bakery and cafe (and much more) on rue de Medicis, right by the Luxembourg gardens. We talk about surviving the Paris strikes, how to make...

Today it's tour guide Marie from My Private Paris. She claims to know every cobblestone in the fifth, and shares her best tips. We talk about ancient walls, churches to find, the Sorbonne, and some amazing viewpoints. My Private Paris is the boutique tour agency sponsoring this podcast season. Find out more about My Private Paris here (and tell them I sent you!) Support The Earful Tower on Patreon...