The Good Life France podcast

The history of absinthe is a tale of madness, creative genius, smuggling, fairies and bad behaviour in the Belle-Époque, a time of peace and economic prosperity in France when the arts flourished from early 1870 until 1914 and the start of the first world war. Created as a medicine from wormwood plants by a doctor fleeing the French Revolution, it is a very French drink!  Follow us: On Twitter On...

A woman with an enigmatic smile. She has been celebrated in songs, poetry and pop art. She is mysterious, some say she is a siren who casts a spell on those who look at her. She does not move. She does not speak. And yet she is a global icon. Discover the fascinating history of the Mona Lisa as we explore the creation of the painting, its journey through history, and why it remains one of the most...

In this petite podcast episode, we’re going to explore the traditions of May Day in France, the first of May, and specifically the tradition of giving flowers to friends and loved ones which is unique to France. It’s a tale of history, drama and romance…  Follow us: On Twitter On Instagram On Facebook On The Good Life France's website Thanks for listening!

Today we’re going to be talking about a man who in his time was one of the most powerful men in the world. He had a huge impact on French history. He had lavish tastes, he was a control freak, he loved the arts and believed himself chosen by God to rule over millions of people. You might have guessed who I’m talking about by now. It is the only and only Louis XIV, the Sun King. Louis, also known a...

What exactly is French art de vivre? In this petite podcast episode, we explain all, where it comes from, what it is and how to practice art de vivre, a fundamental part of the French psyche and a way to elevate the ordinary things of everyday life to the extraordinary. Follow us: On Twitter On Instagram On Facebook On The Good Life France's website Thanks for listening!

Today we’re going to be talking about something very French, wine.  France is of course one of the best wine making countries in the world and beyond, according to one of us on this podcast! Though extra-terrestrials probably won’t be sipping the famous red wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape in Provence because the town has a law that states that UFOs cannot land there.  Discover the history, fascinating...

France is the world’s most visited country, Paris is the world’s most visited city, and several of its monuments, museums and metropolises are on the world’s top list for visits.  But it’s not just the places or the buildings of France that tug at our heartstrings – what makes us fall for France goes beyond bricks and mortar and boundary lines.  There are many reasons that people fall in love with...

We love Paris, but today we’re going to escape the city’s hustle and bustle. Join us as we discover historic, delicious, fascinating and enchanting destinations you can reach from Paris by train on a day trip. And we’ve made sure that nowhere takes longer than 2 hours by train. We’ll share what to see and do, the must-sees, the secrets and some top tips and fun facts. Discover Claude Monet’s house...

Queen Marie-Antoinette's life was a blend of luxury, controversy, and tragedy. Her story is a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of royal life and the turbulent times of late 18th century France – no wonder we remain fascinated with her tale. We talk about some of the most important times in her life, her marriage at just 14  years old, fashion style – and big hair (really big hair, wi...

When you’ve ticked off those must-see sites on your list – the Palace of Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, a dazzling little island that makes you feel you have stepped back centuries, the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum and the sun-kissed French Riviera, the boulevards of Paris and the majestic castles of the Loire Valley - there are a million more thrilling sites and places to d...

In this episode we’re going to be uncovering Paris to explore some of the most amazing hidden gems, the secret places you might miss if you don’t know they are there.  It's not just the landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum, that make us fall in love with Paris. It’s also the little moments: finding a jazz band playing in a cosy café or in a cobblestone alley, the smell of fr...

How much do you know about France? In this episode we’re doing a quiz that everyone can join in with! We’ll ask some questions on all sorts of topics – gastronomy, history, culture, language and more, and we’ll give you the answers and if you got the question right, you can award yourself some points! We’ll also share some fascinating and extraordinary facts that bring history alive as we go. Ther...

A tour through the charming, amusing, and sometimes misunderstood world of French stereotypes.  We’re going to take a light-hearted look at some of the common stereotypes about the French - from fashion to rudeness and smoking like chimneys. From the famed French culinary prowess to reputation for romance. A land where people apparently say 'Oh là là' every five minutes and eat frogs’ le...

Bread in France is more than just food; it's a cultural cornerstone. It’s about community, tradition, and the French way of life.  We'll discuss the role of bread in daily French life and how it reflects the values and rhythms of French society.  In these crusty chronicles we’ll explore the history of bread and especially the UNESCO-listed French baguette. The French are besotted with ba...

The Eiffel Tower isn’t just a symbol of Paris, but a symbol of France. But this wasn’t supposed to happen. The Tower shouldn’t even be there.  We have to go back in time to the beginning of her story, she is known as the Iron Lady, la Dame de Fer in French, to find out why this towering icon is even there in the first place!  And then we'll share some of the incredible facts about this toweri...

Ghosts, ghoulies and Halloween in France. In this episode we’ll talk about haunted castles – there are loads of them in France.  Plus ghost stories - including the tale of a wooden leg that walks alone. And French Halloween habits – and yes France does celebrate Halloween but in its own unique way!  This is a spooky, spine tingling but fun podcast with possibly the worst Halloween jokes ever! Foll...

Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy is one of France’s most iconic, legendary, and visited landmarks.  This little island in one of the officially most beautiful bays in the world is a record breaker, a place conceived with the help of an angel with a pointy finger, a building that seems to defy gravity, and a site so wondrous that it has inspired artists, musicians, and writers for centuries from Monet...

Sometimes the French can be very different from everyone else! We look at some of the more unusual and unique habits such as never, ever, ever being wrong. And not only that, we explain the surprisingly and really rather strange way the French deal with it if they are wrong. Of course, this being France food comes into the story – anyone fancy a plateful of sheep testicles flavoured with lemon and...

Autumn in France and La Rentrée – a very French thing! It literally means ‘the return’, which sounds quite mysterious, like a thriller film but it’s not at all. We explain all about la rentrée and the best places to visit in France in the fall.  We share some of the best seasonal festivals – especially foodie festivals - and events, from giant flea markets, arty party nights and wine harvest event...

Versailles – the palace, the people, history and legends. The extraordinary story of this mighty castle, built in a swamp on the outskirts of Paris stars a heavyweight cast of royals and played a key role in the destiny of France… As breath-taking today as it was some 400 years ago when King Louis XIV of France, AKA the Sun King (and not for his sunny nature), turned a humble hunting lodge into on...

Ever wondered where the French go on holiday, and what their secret favourite places are? Well, no secrets here, we reveal all, as well as some of the quirky habits of the French on holiday and some frankly downright weird aspects of French life!  France is the most popular tourist destination in the world (and beyond apparently – just listen in to find out!) and it’s easy to see why - more than 4...

Bastille Day is France’s biggest national holiday. Find out what it’s all about and why French people have no idea what you’re talking about when you call it Bastille Day – they don’t call it that at all! We explore the history of this famous day and uncover fun facts such as the DNA of a king discovered in a dried pumpkin (yup, really), how Marie-Antoinette loved the tune to the Marseillaise, eve...

Discover some of the most amazing castles of France, the most haunted, tallest and oldest.  The castles with amazing histories like Vaux-le-Vicomte near Paris, built by a King’s minister and so beautiful it made the King seethe with jealousy and what followed was an epic tragedy and also kickstarted the Palace of Versailles project. The castle that Napoleon loved best, the one where you can stay f...

In this episode we share the A-Z of Paris. From arrondissements, the municipal districts of the city laid out in the shape of a snail, to the second oldest zoological garden in the world, started when the animals of the royal family were abandoned at Versailles during the French Revolution via a hidden message in the ceiling of the Opera Garnier and a centuries old flower market in the shadow of t...

In this episode we share the A-Z of French food. France is the nation that invented the restaurant, haute cuisine and Cordon Bleu, the pique-nique, baguettes and crème brulée. The French certainly live to eat, not eat to live.  The great American cook Julia Child once said, ‘In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport’. She was not exaggerating. If the French are not talking abou...