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’ legs at a drop of a hat (or beret).

Let's separate the fact from the fiction and have some fun along the way… 

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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 baguettes, UNESCO says that eating a baguette is “a sensory experience” (someone at UNESCO really likes baguettes!).

In France bread is art, bakers are artists – and every loaf is a masterpiece…

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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 towering icon, how she was almost sent to Montreal in Canada all 2.5 million rivets and 18,000 pieces! How a conman 'sold' her for scrap. And how Gustave Eiffel made an absolutely fortune from her!

Plus a whole heap more! It’s an amazing story… 

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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!

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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 to Marilyn Monroe. 

Kings, Queens and presidents have walked its streets just as much in awe as any tourist. Its spiritual Gothic beauty has influenced many films including the Lord of the Rings.

This “pyramid of the seas” is a miraculous marvel and one of the wonders of the world.

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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 parsley (of course, must have some flavourI). Or how about something sugary? Raw beef flavoured sweets – anyone? Yes. Really. And they aren’t for dogs – they’re for humans, made by monks in Burgundy.

Backed up with anecdotes and true-life stories of life in France to prove that the French really do have some very weird and French habits, this is a laugh out loud episode brought to you by Janine Marsh a British writer who’s lived in France for 20 years and Frenchman Olivier Jauffrit. 

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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 events in Paris – yes there is a wine producing vineyard right in the centre of Paris to a chocolate fair where they hold a fashion show in which the models wear clothes made from chocolate! 

And we share our favourite places that may be a bit more crowded in the summer months but are ideal in autumn. 

Plus we answer a reader’s question – how many times should you kiss – and what cheek do you start with?! 

Fun, entertaining and authentic – entente cordiale in a podcast! 

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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 one of the wonders of the world. Architecturally glorious, gilded and grand, with gardens to match, the palace is full of secrets and its walls have witnessed events that have determined the course of history. 

We talk about the people who lived here, the history of the palace and the most fascinating facts about Versailles… 

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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 40,000 chateaux and fortresses, glorious beaches, snowy mountains, historic cities, picturesque villages, 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 discover- the sheer diversity of the culture, landscapes and attractions of France is staggering. 

So where do the French go faced with all this choice? Find out more…

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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, even though the words called for her demise. And how the wife of a ship’s captain from Maine, USA almost had the royal family as house guests… The history, the legends and the weird and wonderful snippets uncovered…

Plus, the French go wild on 14th July but really this special day starts the night before and involves dancing at Fireman’s balls, Bals des pompiers – yes really! The big day includes parties, parades and fireworks – discover how the spirit of revolution is celebrated in France.

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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 for the night and a Duke will bring you breakfast in bed! 

France has more than 40,000 castles and whilst we can’t cover them all in this episode, you will discover some of the most incredible chateaux and their fascinating legends, histories and the people who lived in them… 

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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 the great Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame and a little chapel older than Notre Dame that when you visit is like standing in a jewel box.

We share our insider guide tips and know-how to reveal the best of Paris whether it’s your first visit or you’ve had the pleasure many times. 

Plus a listener asks – is it true all Parisians are rude?! 

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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 about food – what they will have for lunch or dinner, prepare for guests or a celebration – they’re shopping for meals, planning to cook or eating. Food is on everyone’s lips!

Plus a listener asks a question about castles in France – do you know how many there are? Let’s just say if you visited one a day – it would take you more than 120 years to see them all! 

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The French are rather a superstitious bunch – and some of the superstitions are very odd - got 13 for dinner and think the number 13 is unlucky? Then go French, pop an egg on the table, now you have 14 for dinner! Tread in dog poo and think it's ruined your day? Non, non, non - in France it could be lucky, depending on which foot did the deed! Want to make a wish come true? Well that's simple, just find a French sailor, dressed in uniform including the traditional beret with a red bobble on top - and give that bobble a twiddle! What? 

Yes, these and more strange and fabulous superstitions will be discussed in this very fun podcast episode!

Plus a listener asks a question about the seasons in France and we explain how the bonker French Revolutionary calendar could have made things very different with 10 day-long weeks, and 3 week-long months and a unique name for every day of the year! 

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Marvellous, magnificent and mesmerising monuments of France! The biggest and the best, the strange and the quirky, their history, legends and fascinating facts from the Eiffel Tower to the most incredible palace in France – built by a postman from pebbles collected on his delivery rounds more than 100 years ago. Notre Dame, Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel, Pere Lachaise cemetery and more, come with us on a whistle stop tour of these amazing places. 

And we answer a listener’s question – want to know where to buy the best baguettes in Paris? – tune in and we’ll tell you!

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The biggest and the best, the strange and the quirky, the festivals where you can eat yourself to a standstill, and the ones where you’ll have so much fun, you’ll want to go back year after year! Marathon races that serve cocktails – or Champagne.  A strawberry fete where you’ll get a slice of the biggest strawberry tart in the world. Pig squealing, baptisms of a giant where the baby is nearly 7 feet long, son et lumieres and more. 

We reveal the real France, authentic and sometimes a little weird but always fascinating…

And in the Q&A section we answer a question about the French law that requires men to wear itsy bitsy teeny weeny trunks in public swimming pools. Is it true – or not?

Find out more in this fun episode...

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For the French, cheese is a symbol of Frenchness. They’ve been eating great cheeses for a long time here, some of the most famous were being made thousands of years ago. 

In this episode we consider some of the most famous cheeses as well as some of the stinkiest, weirdest and frankly gross cheeses that France produces. One of them is officially the smelliest cheese in the world, one has creatures living inside (which apparently adds flavour), one was loved by a King so much it contributed to him losing his head – yes that’s you Louis XVI. 

It’s not just a slice of cheese, when it’s French, it’s also a slice of history and we explore some of the fantastic legends, stories and fun facts in this fun and fascinating homage to French fromage. 

And in the Q&A section we answer a question from a lady in Melbourne who says she read that France has banned UFOs! Is it true – or not? Find out more in this fun episode...

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Discover the most popular places to visit in France, their histories and legends, but also the secret places close by so you get to travel to ‘real’ France. 

In Paris you must of course visit the Eiffel Tower, but how about a tiny chapel that was built before the great cathedral of Notre Dame with the most beautiful stained glass windows, you’ll feel as if you’re in a jewel box standing in this place. 

And of course the Mont-Saint-Michel is a wonder of the world, but nearby you can get amazing views of it and explore the area by a little train that runs around the bay. 

Versailles, the Loire Valley, Disney Paris and the lavender fields of Provence all feature. 

Loads of fun and fabulous tips, plus learn how France is the most popular tourist destination in the world – and beyond (according to one of us at least!)…  

Plus a reader asks “I’m going to Paris in May, it’s my first time and I want to see as much of Paris as I can, but I also want to do one day trip to see something different. Where should I go?” We give the perfect answer! Have a listen to find out… 

Don’t go to France without listening to this episode! 

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In this episode we'll be talking about a topic that's on everyone's lips in France - great classic French food! And especially food that has a fascinating history, cheese that has a 6000 year old past, stew that helped save a town from a siege by their dastardly enemy hundreds of years ago, mouth-watering cakes that were made by accident but passed into legend.

Some dishes are just a bit more special because of their heritage, it makes them taste even more delicious. Plus we'll share some of the places where we've eaten these dishes so that you can enjoy them at their best too. And if you're feeling peckish at the end of the podcast, there are hundreds of great recipes on the website!

And in the Q&A section a listener asks "Do the French really take a two hour lunch break?" Find out as Janine Marsh, author and editor of The Good Life France Magazine, and Olivier Jauffrit of radio ParisChanson.fr titillate your tastebuds with talk of all things tasty and tempting in this flavoursome French food episode!

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What if you were to browse the internet and see a photo of a neglected castle in the south of France, a ruin for sure but with a faded grandeur that pulls at your heart strings… 

Would you be tempted to give up your dream of a little house in the country and throw everything you have into restoring the castle to its former glory? Live without electricity. Chop wood to keep the fire going so you don’t freeze in winter as the snow falls all around and the bitter wind blows down from the Pyrenees Mountains. Give up your comfy life and a good job in Perth, Australia. Learn how to speak French and take on the mother of all restorations? 

That’s what Karina Waters and her family did when they bought the Chateau de Gudanes – a real life sleeping beauty that’s now been brought back to life.

This is an extraordinary story, one that has captured the imagination of millions around the world

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Ever wondered what makes the French so… well French?! 

Janine Marsh, resident of northern France, author of three books about life in France for a frequently baffled expat and the editor of magazine and website The Good Life France chats to Olivier Jauffrit, a Frenchman who lives in London about how to be French. 

Is it dunking your croissants in a cup of hot chocolate, the weird and many rules of etiquette around cheese, and how you say oh la la? Touching on some of the quirk aspects of Frenchness, this is a  laugh out loud episode and a whole lot of fun.

And in the Q&A section we answer a question from a resident of Pennsylvania, USA "Do French men still wear the beret?" Find out more in this fun episode...

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It might not surprise you to know that mostly – Christmas in France is all about food… so buckle up, or maybe unbuckle your belt, for a fun, festive and foodie episode – the A to Z of Christmas in France…

Janine Marsh author of three international best-selling books about life in France and Olivier Jauffrit of radio Paris Chanson talk about aperitifs with the neighbours, desserts, jolly farmers riding around country roads in the buckets of tractors on their way home from parties, and the evil assistant to Father Christmas - if you live in Alsace! 

It’s a fun episode designed to put the merry in your Christmas podcast – so tune in to the A-Z of France at Christmas! 

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Our guest today is British author Stephen Clarke who lives in Paris. 

He has sold more than a million books world-wide including the hugely popular and hilarious Merde series which began with a Year in the Merde based on Stephen’s own experiences in France and with names changed to "avoid embarrassment, possible legal action, and to prevent the author's legs being broken by someone in a Yves Saint Laurent suit…". 

He talks about how a job as a translator at a French dictionary company led to becoming a best selling writer. He shares his tips for how to find a good restaurant in Paris, get a Parisian attitude with just one word and how the hero of his Merde books, Paul West, is perpetually 27 years old!

We also answer listener's question - do French people hug... find out the surprising truth! 

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We chat to artist Perry Taylor who walked 900km of the Camino, from France to Spain, in six weeks. Famous for his humorous drawings of life in France, he put down his paintbrush and pens and walked the equivalent of a marathon every day for weeks on end despite extreme heat and painful blisters. Along the route he  made new friends and says he couldn’t help but weep over the stories of some of the people he met walking the pilgrims route.

Perry says in the end, and unexpectedly, it was a profound and life-changing journey. He shares his experience and advice for anyone planning to walk the pilgrims route.

Plus in our regular Q&A section, a listener asks when does ‘bonjour’ become ‘bonsoir’?! Does everyone in France have a different opinion – it can certainly feel like it! Find out more… 

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