In this episode, Gaelle interviews Simon to talk about an international puppet festival that takes place every two years in Charlevilles-Mézières, a city in the North-East of France. You will be surprised to discover that this small city hosts 2 major cultural events. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/french-AI-chat?via=gaelle You can find an interactive transcript for this episode on Langua, and you can see the vocab...

In this episode, Gaelle interviews Monique to explore the city of Poitiers. Located in the North West of France, the city is now famous for its universities and amusement park, Futuroscope. But it has a glorious medieval past, still visible in its streets and monuments. Thanks to Monique, you will embark on a historical journey and be left wanting to go and see for yourselves. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French:...

In this episode, Gaelle interviews Margaux to discover the city of Rouen. Famous for its link with the tragic fall of Jeanne d’Arc in the 15th century, Rouen is a beautiful city in the North Ouest of France, only 1h30 away from Paris, and one that deserves to be visited if you get the chance. Margaux will tell you about the history of the city as well as the culinary specialties of Normandy, and some great cultural events. You may notice some background noise in this episode - sorry! Check...

In this episode, Gaelle explains why you can sometimes say “la semaine prochaine” or “la prochaine semaine”. The adjectives “prochain” and “dernier” are trickier than others as they can be placed either before or after the noun and it will change their meaning. So if this subtlety is unclear to you, come and listen! Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/french-AI-chat?via=gaelle You can find an interactive transcript for...

In this episode, Gaelle interviews Yoann, to talk about the Olympic games that are going to take place in Paris at the end of July 2024. Yoann lives in the North of Paris, where most of the building sites are located and he tells us how, for the past 2 years, everyone in and around Paris has been affected by the preparations for the major event. Behind the excitement and the glamor, you will see the reality of living in a capital getting ready for the Olympics. Check out Langua, a...

In this episode, Gaelle touches a deep and difficult subject that agitates French society: the end of life and the right to die. Also known as assisted suicide or euthanasia, this topic is currently being debated in Parliament, with the prospect of a new law at the end of the year. You will understand the arguments on both sides, and the associated moral questions. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French:...

In this episode, Gaelle dives into history to tell you the story of one of the most iconic French landmarks: the castle of Versailles. You will understand the intricate link between the castle and king Louis. You will hear how it survived the French revolution and was later on saved from decrepitude by an American philanthropist.  And to finish, Gaelle will give you some useful tips if you are planning on visiting this place during your next trip to Paris. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge...

This episode is the second part of the interview with Dimitri, a Greek citizen living and working in France, who explains to Gaelle the different steps to buy a property in France. We recommend listening to the first part before diving into this one. Warning: this episode is more challenging than usual because of the sound quality of Gaelle’s recording and Dimitri’s slight accent. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French:...

In this episode, Gaelle interviews Dimitri, a Greek citizen living and working in France, who recently bought a house near Paris. Through this conversation, Dimitri explains the different steps you need to go through to become a homeowner in France. And you will see that it’s no picnic in the park! Warning: this episode is more challenging than usual because of the sound quality of Gaelle’s recording and Dmitri’s slight accent. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become...

In this episode, Gaelle explains the more subtle ways to translate the adverbs “assez” and “bien”. Commonly understood as “enough” and “well”, they in fact have more meanings than that, which can sometimes lead to confusion. Listen to this episode to understand what French people mean when they say “elle a l’air assez sympa” or “il a bien raison”. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/french-AI-chat?via=gaelle You can find...

In this episode, Gaelle reveals a silent but important crisis in the world of French wines. If famous bottles of Chateau-Margaux are ever so expensive, the same story is not true of the more ordinary Bordeaux wines, which have been struggling to sell in recent years. You will understand why this crisis is hitting a lot of winegrowers hard and what solutions have been put in place. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French:...

In this episode, Gaelle talks about the woman behind the world famous champagne, Veuve Clicquot. The first woman to ever be at the head of a champagne company, in the XIXème century where men largely dominated, she is an inspirational figure. With this episode you will discover her incredible story and how her legacy is still alive nowadays. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/learn-french-faster You can get free vocab...

In this episode, Gaelle explains the importance of the Agricultural Show that takes place every year at the end of February near Paris. In the context of the farmers crisis this year, this event was especially important for the political world. With her explanations, you will understand where this tradition originated and why the French president always spends a day there, between a glass of wine and a cow’s butt. NEW: Check out Langua, our groundbreaking platform to help you become fluent...

In this episode, Gaelle explains how to pronounce the little word “plus” - which annoyingly can be pronounced 3 different ways: [plu], [pluS] or [pluZ]. You probably won’t be able to say it correctly straight away, but at least you will know the rules behind it. NEW: Check out Langua, our groundbreaking platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/langua/podcasts?language=french&query= You can get free vocab lists as well as read an interactive transcript (which...

In this episode, Gaelle talks about two traditions typical of February and March: Mardi-Gras and Carnaval. She explains where they originate from, how they were celebrated back in the days and what is left from those traditions nowadays. It all started from a journey down memory lane for Gaelle, when blurry flashbacks of her childhood came rushing back. NEW: Check out Langua, our cutting-edge software to help you become fluent in French:...

In this episode, Gaelle talks about the most famous French literary prize, le prix Goncourt. You will discover how books are selected, who makes up the jury, and why it means so much to authors and publishers. But because nothing is never black and white, you will also hear about the little scandals that took place over the years and tarnished the prize’s reputation. NEW: Check out Langua, our cutting-edge software to help you become fluent in French:...

In this episode, Gaelle interviews Mélanie, a teacher in a vocational high school in France. Together they explain the purpose of such an educational environment, which students it is aimed at, as well as the stigma surrounding it and the difficulties of the job. NEW: Check out Langua, our cutting-edge software to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/langua/podcasts?language=french&query= You can get free vocab lists as well as read an interactive transcript (which...

In this episode, Gaelle presents the life of the world famous singer: Edith Piaf. Everyone is familiar with her most famous song, “La vie en rose”, but few really know who she was and where she came from. She sang about love so beautifully following a lot of hardship and broken heart. NEW: Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI tool to help you become fluent in French. Pro version limited time offer: Get 50% off your first month using the code FRENCHPOD50. Try Langua here:...

In this episode, Gaelle introduces you to THE christmas dessert in France: the Christmas log. It’s on every table, for every family. It can be made with chocolate, raspberry or lemon ice cream. But do we even know why French people eat a dessert in the shape of a piece of wood? Listen to this episode to find out. And if you want to learn a bit of patisserie vocabulary, Gaelle gives you the traditional recipe at the end. NEW: Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI tool to help you become fluent...

In this episode, Gaelle explains how to navigate the French health system when you are sick. From the first step of finding the correct health professional to the last one of getting the correct medication, she explains what French people have to do to be seen and get better. You will understand what “mutuelle”, “carte vitale” and “médecin traitant” mean, and who pays what when the bill comes. NEW: Check out Langua, our cutting-edge software to help you become fluent in French:...

In this episode, Gaelle introduces you to a French inventor who revolutionized the world for blind people in the 19th century: M. Louis Braille. You will hear about his extraordinary personal story and how he came to create a brilliant and universal alphabet, still in use nowadays by blind and visually impaired people. NEW: Check out Langua, our new learning software: https://languatalk.com/langua/podcasts?language=french&query= You can get free vocab lists as well as read an...

In this grammar episode, Gaelle explains the difference between “juste” and “venir de”, which are both translated by “just” in English, making it difficult for English speakers to understand the difference. NEW: Check out Langua, our new learning software: https://languatalk.com/langua/podcasts?language=french&query= You can get free vocab lists as well as read an interactive transcript (which highlights the words as they're spoken) whilst listening...

In this episode, Gaelle talks about 3 aspects of English culture that she really likes and that she wished existed in France. She talks about charity shops and open mindedness, then finishes on a more serious note with the issue of street harassment, which is a major problem in France. NEW: Check out Langua, our new learning software: https://languatalk.com/langua/podcasts?language=french&query= You can get free vocab lists as well as read an interactive transcript (which highlights...

In this episode, Gaelle interviews Eirini, a Greek citizen who has been living in France with her Greek husband for the past 5 years. They have 3 children, the youngest was born in Paris. Eirini explains how they manage the “double culture” and languages at home, as well as what they do to preserve their Greek origins whilst encouraging their children to navigate French society. NEW: Check out Langua, our new software to help you become fluent in French:...