The Good Life France podcast
The Good Life France podcast offers an insider's perspective on French culture, history, gastronomy, wine, and travel. Hosted by Janine Marsh, editor of the Good Life France Magazine, it explores castles, monuments, and hidden gems across the country. Each episode delivers a mix of useful information, humor, and French joie de vivre. The show is designed for Francophiles and travelers seeking authentic experiences in France.
Episodes
#66 - The fascinating history of the National symbols of France
Dive into the rich tapestry of France’s national symbols. From the revolutionary Tricolore to the stirring La Marseillaise, the iconic Marianne, and even the Gallic rooster (which has a curious tale!), this episode is a fun and informative journey through the emblems that define French identity. Perfect for Francophiles and history buffs alike! Follow us:On TwitterOn InstagramOn FacebookOn The Goo
#65 - A to Z of the Icons of France
A crash course in French culture—with a side of charm, a dash of humour, and a ton of fascinating facts. Join a delightful, alphabet-inspired tour of everything that makes France iconic. From apéritifs to the Eiffel Tower, baguettes to haute couture, this episode is packed with fun facts, cultural insights and fascinating titbits about French icons, cuisine, and culture, plus plenty of laughs. Per
#64 - A literary tour of Paris
In which we delve into the lives of some seriously famous authors who thought "You know what would make me a better writer? Moving to France and especially Paris!" Paris has been the playground of some of the true literary greats, from Ernest Hemingway to Oscar Wilde. Today, we’ll explore why France had such a magnetic pull for these writers, what they created while they were here, and,
#63 - Celebration Days of France!
Celebrate the charm and cheer of French holidays and festivals. From the grandeur of Bastille Day fireworks to the sweet romance of Valentine's Day, we're going to dive into what makes France truly unique. We’ll talk about the main national holidays, and some of the celebrations that are not so well known outside of France and some celebrations and events that are outright strange! So co
#62 - Crêpes, Kings & Carnivals: France’s fabulous Winter Festivities
Join Janine and Oli for a deliciously fun dive into France’s winter celebrations! From the regal galette des rois of Epiphany to the crêpe-flipping madness of La Chandeleur, and the glittering parades of Carnival, they unpack the traditions, food, and humour of France’s January-March festivities. Expect plenty of laughs, cultural nuggets, and some questionable crêpe-flipping skills.Follow us:On Tw
#61 - The most fabulous Christmas markets and festivals of France
Let us whisk you away with us to France to find out about the most wonderful Christmas markets from the oldest and the biggest to the most magical. Plus discover the most fabulous festive events from the quirkiest, turkey-est Festival held in northern France to Lyon’s Festival of Lights and Nancy’s unique take on a Christmas story. Fun facts, fascinating snippets and top tips… Follow us:On Twitter
#60 - Everything French food at Christmas
A lip-smacking, mouth-watering, tummy-rumbling, finger-lickin’, well-seasoned seasonal episode about the food that the French traditionally eat at Christmas! Fun facts, traditions and scrumptious treats. Follow us:On TwitterOn InstagramOn FacebookOn The Good Life France's websiteThanks for listening!
#59 - Very French Things Part 2
Discover the mystery of French time keeping, the ‘national sport’ of striking and more very French things. A laugh out loud episode and a deep dive into the psyche of the French! Follow us:On TwitterOn InstagramOn FacebookOn The Good Life France's websiteThanks for listening!
#58 - A potted history of France
We explore 2,500 years of French history and the key events that shaped the destiny of France. We’ll also discover some of the most memorable members of France’s ruling families through the ages from the Gauls and the Romans to the Visigoths, Vandals and Vikings and through to the dynasties of the Franks, the Merovingians, Carolingians and the Bourbons and on through to French Revolution and the R
#57 - The story of French Haute Cuisine
Discover the story of haute cuisine! It’s not just about fancy food—it’s about artistry, precision, and a true celebration of ingredients and technique and appreciating the finest things in life. It’s a tale that goes back centuries, and the history of haute cuisine includes the French Revolution, obsessive chefs and edible art. As the great American cook Julia Child once said – in France, cooking
#56 - Discover the arts in France - Liberté, Fraternité, Egalité, Arty…
In this episode we talk about the Arts of France. And we don’t just mean paintings and sculptures – we mean the official classified arts of France. You might be surprised to find out that there is an official and surprising classification of the arts that includes some things you might never have imagined (comic books that’s you!) and we’ll share some of the best places to see the arts as we go fr
#55 - Very French Things – Whacky & whimsical ways of life France!
In this episode we explore some of the things that are unique in French culture, charming, funny or perhaps just a little odd. A chicken beauty contest, people making pig noises, dogs in restaurants and dipping bread in coffee, plus more weird and wonderful very French things! Follow us:On TwitterOn InstagramOn FacebookOn The Good Life France's websiteThanks for listening!
#54 - Napoleon Bonaparte – the man, the legend, the weird stuff!
In this episode we explore the life of a truly legendary figure. He died more than 200 years ago but his legacy is as relevant in France today as it was then. He was one of the most powerful men in the world. He was loved by some, hated with a passion by his enemies. He was a complicated man, who from modest beginnings on the island of Corsica rose to the become Emperor of France. Enter one Napole
#53 - Empress of Style: the Life and Legacy of Josephine Bonaparte
Step back in history to look at the life of a women who helped to shape the history of France. She is remembered for her personal style and influence. She was an icon of fashion, a patron of the arts, and the first Empress of France. She was married to one of the most powerful men in the world. And from humble beginnings on the island of Martinique to her days in the opulent halls of French power,
#52 - All about Victor Hugo, including the odd stuff!
We look at the life of one of France’s most famous writers – Victor Hugo. He was a genius writer, a most unusual man who lived an extraordinary life. His writing lives on, his books are still best sellers, his writing has inspired films, musicals and plays, one of his books saved the great Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame from being left to rot, and one of his hardly known characters inspired one of
#51 - How the French Riviera became popular!
Today we’re setting sail for the French Riviera as English speakers call it, the Cote d’Azur as French speakers call it, the azure blue coast. It’s a stretch of Mediterranean coastline that is as rich in history as it is in sun-drenched luxury.We'll explore how it came to be so famous - from Victorian Lords, Ladies and a Queen who loved it and were sort of early influencers, to American celeb
#50 - French Etiquette
Find out all about French etiquette! The social rules that France has are fascinating. We’re going to look at the history of French etiquette, and some of the most common, unspoken rules that can enhance your experience if you’re visiting France - from dining at a chic Parisian café to greeting a local in Provence.Dive into the world of French etiquette, covering everything from table manners to t
#49 - Edith Piaf, the sound of France
In this episode we talk about the most famous French female singer of all time. A woman whose voice inspires more than 50 years after her death. It is of course Edith Piaf, who remains in the hearts of the people of France and continues to sell huge amounts of recordings worldwide.It is a rags to riches tale, born in the street, working the streets and finally becoming the darling of France, a leg
#48 - La Bise, the French kiss of friendship
Today we explore la bise! That’s French for the kiss, but not just any old kiss, this is the kiss of friendship that I am referring to, the tradition the French have of kissing on the cheek when they meet friends and family. One of the etiquette rules that confuses just about everyone new to France is kissing! Do you or don’t you kiss someone when you meet them? How many times do you kiss them? We
#47 - How to sound French
In this episode we talk you through an A to Z of French words and phrases - some are quirky, some are beautiful and some are historic. These are phrases that pepper the everyday language and will help you sound French, especially as Oli, the French half of the podcast team will say them in French properly!The French love their own language and these roll-off-your-tongue French words and phrases sh
#46 - Accidental food stars of France
In today's episode we talk about some of the most well-known, classic, delicious foods of France that we know were made by accident but became total celebrities in their own right! Find out how two sisters running a small hotel created Tarte Tatin, and the strange legends of how their accidental apple tart became super famous. Discover how a British royal prince named a famous French dish cre
#45 - Fascinating French history of the Statue of Liberty
In this episode, we explore the origins of an American icon. She is world famous. She’s very tall. And she’s French. She is known as the Statue of Liberty.The statue of Liberty is an iconic landmark and one of the most recognised symbols of the United States. But did you know that Lady Liberty is an immigrant? It’s true, she’s a French woman by birth who has made New York her home. (No wonder she’
#44 - All about Claude Monet
2024 is the 150th anniversary of Impressionism – an art movement which began in France, and one of the key figures of the movement was Claude Monet, one of the most celebrated artists of all time and a household name today. So today, we’re going to have a potted history of the artist, talk about his beautiful home and garden in Normandy, and discover what he was like as a person… This is a tale of
#43 - Speedy history of the Tour de France
In this petite podcast episode, we’re going to do a potted history of the Tour de France – the world’s most famous bike race and share some of the most fun and incredible facts. It has been called the greatest free show on earth and is watched by 3.5 billion people worldwide during its three weeks on television. Le Tour has spawned a thousand myths and legends and inspires passionate devotion and
#42 - The incredible history of the Louvre Museum
In this episode we’re going to explore a legendary institution. It’s a world record holder. It’s enormous. It’s world famous. It’s in the heart of Paris. Kings have lived in it. Now it is home to one of the most famous paintings in the world. Ladies and gentlemen, lovely listeners – I give you - the Louvre Museum.The Louvre is the world’s most famous and largest fine arts museum. It’s home to the
#41 - The fascinating history of absinthe
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 TwitterOn Inst
#40 - The Mystery of the Mona Lisa
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
#39 - May Day in France
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 TwitterOn InstagramOn FacebookOn The Good Life France's websiteThanks for listening!
#38 - The Life & Times of King Louis XIV
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 as
#37 - French art de vivre
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 TwitterOn InstagramOn FacebookOn The Good Life France's websiteThanks for listening!
#36 - French wine – history, traditions and etiquette
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 a
#35 - Reasons to love France
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 t
#34 - Day Trips from Paris by train
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
#33 - The Life and Times of Queen Marie-Antoinette
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
#32 - Travel Guide to France
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
#31 - Paris Uncovered: secret Paris
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 fre
#30 - All about France Quiz
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
#29 - French stereotypes – true or false?
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’ leg
#28 - The history of the French baguette
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 bagu
#27 - The Eiffel Tower in a podcast
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
# 26 - Halloween in France
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!Follow
#25 - The miraculous Mont-Saint-Michel, a legendary landmark
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
#24 - How to be French Part II – very French habits
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
#23 - Autumn in France
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
#22 - The palace of Versailles in a podcast
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
#21 - Where do the French go on holiday?
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
#20 - Bastille Day in France – what’s it all about?
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
#19 - Amazing castles of France
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 fo
#18 - The A-Z of Paris
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
#17 - The A-Z of French Food
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
#16 - Weird and wonderful superstitions of France
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 s
#15 - The most marvellous monuments of France
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
#14 - Fabulous and frankly quirky French festivals
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 f
#13 - Welcome to cheese land
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
#12 - Top places to visit in France – plus top tips, secret places & more
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 pla
#11 - Fascinating history of French food
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
#10 - How to speak French!
Learn the three most important words in the French language in this fun episode - no test at the end we promise! Tu and vous - you and you - what's that all about? We'll explain what it means if a French person asks to "tu" with you! Plus - has one of us set a world record for the amount of times we said bonjour in one day?! And we also talk about the most popular attraction i
#9 - The fairy tale Chateau de Gudanes
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
#8 - How to be French?
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 e
#7 - Christmas in France
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 talk about aperitifs with the neighbours, desserts, jolly farmers riding around country road
#6 - A year in the Merde!
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 Y
#5 - Walking the Camino pilgrims route
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
#4 - Eat, Cake, Love | The magic of Paris and baking
Molly Wilkinson left Dallas, Texas, USA to train in Paris as a patisserie chef at the famous Cordon Bleu cookery school. What she didn’t expect was to fall in love with a Frenchman, set up home in Versailles on the outskirts of Paris and become a famous online cake maker teaching cake baking fans how to make the most perfect French gateaux from millefeuilles to merveilleux. Find out how it all cam
#3 - How murderous daydreams became a best-selling book series
The Good Life France Podcast Episode 3 with Ian Moore, a British author and comedian who lives in the Loire Valley where he runs a gite and dreams of killing his guests which has inspired a series of fun thrillers! He also has staring contests with goats, makes chutney and keeps hens who don't lay eggs! He talks about his fear of feisty French women over the age of 40, the quirky things about
#2 - How to be a Parisian in less than one hour!
In this episode discover how spiders can bring joy and hope in France! Find out whether it’s really true you shouldn’t turn up on time for dinner at a French person’s house! And learn how to be a Parisian in less than one hour with Olivier Giraud, a Paris legend. He’s a stand-up comedian who has performed his hilarious English speaking show to more than 1 million people – and his advice will have
#1 - A podcast about France
An introduction to The Good Life France podcast – everything you want to know about France and more. Meet author Janine Marsh an ex-Londoner who lives in rural northern France, and Olivier Jauffrit from France who lives in London. Entente-cordiale – upside down! Follow us:On TwitterOn InstagramOn FacebookOn The Good Life France's websiteThanks for listening!
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