This week we're paying tribute to Notre Dame Cathedral. I’ll be skipping around to the most important interactions between Notre Dame and her hometown. At each point, I’ll try to paint a picture of Paris as she was at that time, and the Notre Dame she would have known: change by change, disaster by miracle, making our way up to now, to the Notre Dame we have, smoking and injured and beautiful and beloved, as we dream and plan of the Paris, and the Notre Dame that will be.

This week, we’re taking an up-close look at the uglier side of French history: imperialism, racism, xenophobia, and the resilience of the communities who have had to survive under French power. The tale of the banh mi is a tale of oppression, revolution, desperation, innovation, creativity and above all, influence - flowing in both directions. So pour a little condensed milk in your coffee, pick up a mini baguette of happiness and settle in for the story of the banh mi: sandwich of the 21st...

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S.

Vincent van Gogh, the world's oldest human, and conspiracy theories wrapped up inside more conspiracy theories. Happy new year - The Land of Desire is back!

This is the story of what happens when the world’s greatest ambition is thwarted by the world’s most inescapable obstacle: bureaucracy. This story has it all: double-crossing, surprise comebacks, and petty warfare - no, I mean really petty warfare.

This is the story of what happens when the world’s greatest ambition is thwarted by the world’s most inescapable obstacle: bureaucracy. This story has it all: double-crossing, surprise comebacks, and petty warfare - no, I mean really petty warfare. SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2018/10/03/napoleon-in-exile/

Cheers! We're celebrating the 2nd anniversary of The Land of Desire with the world's favorite party drink: champagne! We'll explore the mystery and the myth behind this French classic. Why do we drink champagne at weddings? Why do we smash champagne on boats? Why do champagne hangovers make us want to die? Grab a glass (and maybe some aspirin) and salut! SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2018/08/16/champagne/

At last! Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking (spoiler alert) finally gets published - and launches Julia into superstardom. From books to TV to newspapers and more, Julia changes the way America eats, drinks, and thinks about food - including that omelet you may or may not have dropped on the floor when no one was looking. SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2018/07/12/julia-child-3/

We're back! The story of Julia Child continues as the ex-OSS operative adjusts to civilian life, one failed hobby at a time. When Julia finally discovers her great life's passion, what will she do with it? SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2018/07/12/julia-child-2/

“In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport.” – Julia Child Hello everyone! Welcome back to The Land of Desire. The first episode of 2018 is finally here! his year, we’re kicking things off with a salute to one of France’s most curious cultural ambassadors – a woman who has helped generations of Americans discover French culture while remaining relatively unknown within France itself: Julia Child. Episode 39: “Julia Child – Part 1” Cooking with Julia If you’ve...

Today we'll finish tracing the route of the original Tour de France, traveling through the "in between places" - the vast countryside which traditionally held most of the French population. On y va!

This week we'll continue our miniseries: "A Tour de France": What kind of France exists outside the boundaries of Paris? What kind of France exists in the middle of the countryside? What does someone in Paris have in common with someone in the Pyrenées? How many kinds of French people are there? What makes someone truly "French" anyway? For the next six episodes, we'll be tracing the route of the original Tour de France, traveling through the "in between places" - the vast countryside which...

This week we'll continue our miniseries: "A Tour de France": What kind of France exists outside the boundaries of Paris? What kind of France exists in the middle of the countryside? What does someone in Paris have in common with someone in the Pyrenées? How many kinds of French people are there? What makes someone truly "French" anyway? For the next six episodes, we'll be tracing the route of the original Tour de France, traveling through the "in between places" - the vast countryside which...

This week we continue our tour of France with a trip to the great melting pot of Marseille. Spices, silks, ideas, and people passed through her ancient port - as well as one seriously unwanted guest. Along the way, we'll trace the history of her most famous export, the great fish stew: la bouillabaisse.

This week, we continue our petit Tour de France to Lyon, where we leave the cityfolk behind and try our best to meet the isolated peasants of the countryside, trying to make a franc out of 15 centimes.

We're launching our own Tour de France! For the next six episodes, we'll be tracing the route of the original race, traveling through the "in between places" - the vast countryside which traditionally held most of the French population. Beginning in the tiny village of Montgeron, then passing through Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes and finally returning to Paris, we'll be eating, drinking and exploring our way through the nation. On y va!

The book which represents everything brilliant and everything broken about France is overdue for an edit - and it's sending people into the streets!

In Jazz Age France, anyone who was anyone could do anything and everything. Join Coco Chanel, F. Scott Fitzgerald and more aboard the Blue Train to paradise!

France is a moveable feast - aristocrats al fresco, one very scandalous luncheon & a meal the length of France itself! Also, this week, I'm announcing an exciting new treat to celebrate the first successful Patreon fundraising campaign - and our 250,000th download, of course!

This week, we're kicking off a new series about the wildlife of France, with a look at the most famous - and most mysterious - animal kingdom in French history.

It's been a wild ride so far, and I want to celebrate! In this week's anniversary extravaganza I'm answering questions from you, dear listeners, and I'm making some BIG announcements!

“Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” – Yogi Berra This week, we’ll wrap up our series “We’ll Always Have Paris” focusing on the history of tourism in France. Paris is in many ways a city constructed by and for tourism: tourism shapes which landmarks are preserved, which civic resources are available, and whose needs are prioritized. It’s hard to imagine a Paris without tourists – who wouldn’t love the City of Light? Well, as it turns out, some people really, really, really want...

What happens when your conquerors are also your customers? How do you defend your country if the other side is keeping your economy afloat? And what if the best way to keep your city safe...is to allow your greatest enemy to walk in through the front door?

Bottoms up! We duck behind the counter to learn the antics, escapades and espionage of the Hotel Ritz Paris bar. Salut!

Tourist season is here, and Parisian officials are on the lookout for a harmless fad that became a dangerous faux pas. Learn the not-so-ancient history of the love lock, and why you should definitely leave yours at home!