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 celebrities who shaped its fame. We’ll uncover some of the best spots to visit, and share some fun facts along the way.

So grab your sunglasses and join us as we delve into the allure of the Côte d'Azur.

Follow us:

• On Twitter
• On Instagram
• On Facebook
• On The Good Life France's website
• On Paris Chanson's

Thanks for listening!

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 tipping and some rather unusual rules in France! Whether you're a tourist planning your first visit to France or just curious about French culture, knowing a few key etiquette rules can go a long way.

We explore the history of etiquette, how not to make a faux pas in a restaurant and the basics that will get you by in any situation!

Follow us:

• On Twitter
• On Instagram
• On Facebook
• On The Good Life France's website
• On Paris Chanson's

Thanks for listening!

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 legendary performer, rich beyond her wildest dreams with Marlene Dietrich as a bridesmaid at her wedding.

Edith Piaf’s life burned bright, but short, it’s claimed her last words were “every bloody thing you do in this life, you have to pay for…” We explore her incredible life, her music and her legacy.

Follow us:

• On Twitter
• On Instagram
• On Facebook
• On The Good Life France's website
• On Paris Chanson's

Thanks for listening!

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’ll take a closer look at a French custom that's both a greeting and a symbol of social etiquette, the history of la bise, the world’s first and so far only kissing festival in the south of France, top tips for how to get la bise right and why it doesn’t matter if you don’t!

Plus we’ll save you from yourself if you’re a hugger – never hug in France, only la bise, and everyone will live happily ever after!

Pucker up and dive into the fascinating world of the friendly French peck!

Follow us:

• On Twitter
• On Instagram
• On Facebook
• On The Good Life France's website
• On Paris Chanson's

Thanks for listening!

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 showcase the beauty and sometimes the quirkiness of the French language from "attendre 107 ans" which literally means wait 107 years but to the French means "this is taking forever" - and we'll explain why (Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame take a bow), to Zizanie!

Follow us:

• On Twitter
• On Instagram
• On Facebook
• On The Good Life France's website
• On Paris Chanson's

Thanks for listening!

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 created in error right under his nose!

And we reveal how a young chef in awe of his famous chef boss invented "flies in the wind" pastry cases that even English speakers know by their French name vol au vents!

Plus more fun facts, legends and mouth-watering dishes!

Follow us:

• On Twitter
• On Instagram
• On Facebook
• On The Good Life France's website
• On Paris Chanson's

Thanks for listening!

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’s so elegant.)

She almost didn't go to America at all, Gustave Eiffel was involved in her design, and Joseph Pulitzer, of Pulitzer Prize fame, was instrumental in her standing tall, her index dinger is more than 8 feet long...

Find out the fascinating French history, facts and legends about the Statue of Liberty.

Follow us:

• On Twitter
• On Instagram
• On Facebook
• On The Good Life France's website
• On Paris Chanson's

Thanks for listening!

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 dogged determination and self-belief, of overcoming the odds and challenging conventions.

We'll share fascinating facts, anedcotes about Monet and how he went from being a teenager called Oscar, selling charcoal caricatures for a few pennies to one of the highest paid artists in his lifetime

Follow us:

• On Twitter
• On Instagram
• On Facebook
• On The Good Life France's website
• On Paris Chanson's

Thanks for listening!