The Good Life France podcast

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.

Perfect for Franco...

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, of course, the wildly ent...

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 coming up - some ...

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.

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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… 

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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 Republic of France we have...

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 is a serious art form an...

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 from a World War II submari...

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 Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon is...

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, her life was one of resi...

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 the most famous 20th cen...

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 fam...

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 rule...

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 w...

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...

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 beau...