Episodes
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Simone, who unknowingly became the most “listened-to voice in France.” Stick around until the end for an update on what Simone has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/49R1BPW.
Published 02/27/24
Published 02/27/24
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Arnaud, who launched a career impersonating one of France’s most beloved male singers, Jacques Brel. Stick around until the end for an update on what Arnaud has been up to since the first episode aired! Check out recordings of Arnaud’s live performances here. We also made a Spotify playlist where you can kick back and listen to some of...
Published 02/20/24
On June 21, 1981, the French government invented a new holiday. Ever since then, every summer solstice, anyone in France can take to the streets and perform music…and they do! But for Fanny, sharing her birthday with la Fête de la Musique was a bit of a curse…until she discovered how to help her favorite band take on the challenge of that special night. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3HYOEHZ.
Published 02/13/24
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Christophe, better known under his performer name Chassol, who developed a new musical genre inspired by the sounds of his home island of Martinique. Stick around until the end for an update on what Christophe has been up to since the first episode aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3w5nVa2.
Published 02/06/24
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Waaydah, a teenager from the French island of Mayotte who took the stage in her island’s first-ever opera competition. Stick around until the end for an update on what Waaydah has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4bknOYf.
Published 01/30/24
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Marie, a stage actor who found a way to keep French theater alive during the Covid lockdowns. Stick around until the end for an update on what Marie has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4ba190U.
Published 01/23/24
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of David, an engineer by day and French clown by night. Stick around until the end for an update on what David has up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/424ViWh.
Published 01/16/24
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Monika, who has been dancing the French Cancan in Paris since the 1960s. Stick around until the end for an update on what Monika has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://podcast.duolingo.com/french.
Published 01/09/24
The Duolingo French Podcast is back for a special season celebrating the arts in France and around the world. We’re revisiting our favorite stories of dancers, singers, performers, and even an undercover clown — as well as updates about how these artists are doing. This special season starts January 9. Listen to the trailer now!
Published 01/02/24
Josephine embarks on perilous spy missions…and her wartime service brings her face to face with the man who inspired her to join the Resistance. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3QUR3sq.
Published 11/14/23
With France under German occupation, Josephine takes refuge at her sanctuary, Les Milandes. Until the enemy comes knocking at the gates. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3QNcpIh.
Published 11/07/23
With war declared in France, Josephine braces for the conflict and wonders how she can help…until a member of the French secret service knocks at her door and she begins a new chapter of her life. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3MP6aBx.
Published 10/31/23
Josephine puts down roots in her beloved France while trying to find her place as an artist as the world teeters toward war. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3tM0mlu.
Published 10/24/23
Josephine becomes an international sensation and adopts France as her home. But in neighboring Germany, Nazism is on the rise and threatens her newfound freedom. With Ariana DeBose. Please take our Duolingo French Podcast survey at go.duolingo.com/josephine. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4010Hg5.
Published 10/17/23
19-year-old Josephine Baker leaves her life in the U.S. behind and arrives in Paris to try her luck onstage. She falls in love with the city, but what will she have to do in order to succeed there? With Ariana DeBose. Please take our Duolingo French Podcast survey at go.duolingo.com/josephine. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/46I6I3s.
Published 10/11/23
The Duolingo French Podcast returns with a thrilling new season! Discover the untold story of 1920s icon Josephine Baker – not just a dancer, but a spy for the French Resistance. Featuring Academy Award-winner Ariana DeBose. This special season launches on October 11th, 2023. Catch the trailer now!
Published 10/11/23
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Virginie Dhorne – a French cheesemonger with a fierce competitive streak. Stick around until the end to hear what Virginie’s been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4202Hpg.
Published 05/02/23
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Loune Viaud, a public health expert from Haiti who rescued 38 children after the 2010 earthquake struck the country. Stick around until the end to hear what Loune and the children from the story have been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3H96ecn.  
Published 04/25/23
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revising a story by Matina Razafimahefa, a university student from Madagascar with an entrepreneurial spirit. Stick around until the end to hear what Matina has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/41vlwjy.
Published 04/18/23
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Valérie Desroches, a karate student from Montreal. After learning she had Asperger's syndrome, Valérie’s new self-knowledge inspired her to work even harder toward achieving her karate dreams. Stick around until the end to hear what Valérie has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3zREXHc.
Published 04/11/23
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Linh Lan Dao, who decided to pursue a career in journalism after encountering anti-Asian racism. Stick around until the end to hear what Linh Lan’s been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3ZEze25.
Published 04/04/23
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Khadjou Sambe, a young woman who defied gender norms by taking up surfing, considered a men-only sport in her home country of Senegal. Stick around until the end to hear what Khadjou has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3KeOdLy.
Published 03/28/23
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Maya Husseini, a stained-glass artist who spent her career rebuilding churches in her hometown of Beirut. But after a devastating warehouse explosion in August 2020, she was faced with a question: could she help rebuild Beirut? Stick around until the end to hear what Maya has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3FHIRWG.
Published 03/21/23
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Emel Mathlouthi, a singer whose music became a symbol of freedom during the seismic revolution that took place in 2010 in her home country of Tunisia. Stick around until the end to hear what Emel has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3JEFAd6.
Published 03/14/23