How to Party Like It's Mille Neuf Cent Quatre-Vingt-Dix-Neuf

In episode 15, Mimi and Suzy break down the anatomy of a French party—from the germ-spreading ritual of la bise to the predictable flow of punch, wine, and classic apéro snacks. They compare regional quirks like Brittany’s surprising “party soup,” try to find out exactly what parts of the pig are in andouille sausage, and run through the typical late dinner, bad music rotation, chain-smoking corners, and obligatory nostalgia stories. Alongside tales of crashed parties, tame “sex-toy” themes, and cover bands killing the vibe, they also touch on Picard culture, Halloween’s slow rise in France, and the near-guarantee of getting sick after any gathering. The episode ends with a question to listeners: would a French party be your cup of soup?

Keywords

French parties, la bise, germs, fist bump, apéro snacks, crunchy peanuts, saucisson, andouille, party soup, Brittany, late dinners, bad music, Gypsy Kings, ’80s hits, Beyoncé, chain smoking, nostalgia, blind quiz, pétanque, photo slideshows, Picard, Halloween in France, party culture, metro germs.

Chapters

00:00 – Sick Season & The Curse of La Bise
02:00 – Party Rules: Punch, Wine, and Apéro Snacks
06:30 – Andouille Debate: What Actually Is it?
09:30 – Brittany’s Surprise: The Mystery Party Soup
12:00 – Late Dinners, Bad Playlists & Beyoncé Rescues
15:00 – Chain Smoking & Childhood Nostalgia Hour
18:00 – Party Animations: Blind Quizzes, Slideshows, Pétanque
21:00 – Crashing the Cardboard-Box Birthday
24:30 – The Tame “Sex Toy” Party
28:00 – Picard, Costumes & Halloween in France
33:00 – Live Music Hijacks: The Host’s Cover Band
37:00 – Is Getting Sick Worth It?
38:30 – Would You Enjoy a French Party?