In July 1830, Paris erupted. For three days, workers, students, and veterans rose against royal ordinances that trampled the Charter of 1814. Barricades filled the streets, the tricolour flag flew once more, and the Bourbon monarchy collapsed. King Charles X fled, and Louis-Philippe—styled the “Citizen King”—took the throne. This revolution wasn’t just a power shift; it was a powerful reminder that France’s revolutionary spirit was far from extinguished. From backroom politics to street battles,...
May 20, 2025•41 min•Ep. 39
If you weren't sleeping through your chemistry classes in high school, you probably heard the phrase "Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed." This is basically what we know as the law of conservation of mass. It was coined by Antoine Lavoisier, the man considered the father of modern chemistry and one of history's most influential scientists. However, he will end his days under the blade of the guillotine in 1794. How can this be? Join us as we delve into the remarkable ...
Mar 18, 2025•36 min•Ep. 38
The story of the Résistance is the story of ordinary men and women rising to the occasion. Risking everything to fight oppression, to defend their homes, their country, their way of life. Being a résistant could mean many things. You could be part of a network, you could just run errands or messages, you could spy on the Germans or just not answer their questions properly. The Résistance took many, many forms, just like the collaboration. Join us as we explore this troubled, violent and fascinat...
Jan 17, 2025•42 min•Ep. 37
This is part II of our episode swap on The Raft of the Medusa from the great podcast Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs by Rich Napolitano . Enjoy this bonus episode and check out Rich's podcast, it's fantastic! The French frigate Medusa shipwreck is one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history, occurring in 1816 off the coast of present-day Mauritania. The ship, intended to transport French officials to Senegal, ran aground on the Arguin Bank due to the incompetence of its captain, Viscount Hugu...
Dec 17, 2024•51 min•Ep. 36
In this very special episode, we interview Thérèse Casadesus Rawson, daughter of the renowned French pianists Robert and Gaby Casadesus. The occasion is the publication of Gaby Casadesus' book My Musical Notes: A Journey in Classical Piano between the World Wars and Beyond , now available in English. We discuss the book, as well as Thérèse's parents' careers, lives, and enduring legacy. Together, we travel around the globe, delve into the lives of some of the most celebrated musicians of the twe...
Dec 10, 2024•52 min•Ep. 35
We have something special for today, an episode swap! Coming straight from the great podcast Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs by Rich Napolitano, I give you the story of the Radeau de la Méduse, The Raft of the Medusa. The French frigate Medusa shipwreck is one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history, occurring in 1816 off the coast of present-day Mauritania. The ship, intended to transport French officials to Senegal, ran aground on the Arguin Bank due to the incompetence of its captain, Visc...
Dec 04, 2024•49 min•Ep. 34
Charles MacKay, PhD, former university history professor at Morehead State University and West Virginia University joins us to discuss Queen Marie-Antoinette and her family, especially her son, the ill-fated Louis XVII. These members of the French royal family suffered terribly during the French Revolution, eventually losing their lives to the guillotine or to mistreatment. Join us for a riveting discussion on this Cursed Family. Timecodes Introduction 03:56 - The Austrian Bride 07:55 - Marie-An...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 33
We will traverse the peaks and valleys of five republics, each reflecting France’s evolving spirit and struggles. From revolutionary fervour to imperial ambition, from the trials of war to the triumphs of modern democracy, each republic has contributed to the rich mosaic of France as we know it today. Join us as we unravel the dramatic narrative of the Five French Republics, where every chapter is a tale of resilience and reinvention. Prepare to be captivated by a story as rich and complex as Fr...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 32
To commemorate the 200th anniversary of La Fayette's grand tour of the USA in 1824, we have a special episode featuring guest Elizabeth Reese . Elizabeth is a public historian whose work focuses on the American Revolution and the Early Republic. She recently published a book on the famed Marquis' visit to America: " Marquis de Lafayette Returns - A Tour of America's National Capital Region" . Join us as we discuss the circumstances, unfolding, and consequences of this great endeavour. Timecodes ...
Aug 13, 2024•48 min•Ep. 31
Jules Verne is one of the most influential authors who ever lived, from every country and genre. He is the most translated author in the world after Agatha Christie and is by far the most translated French author. Verne's vision, stories and characters still resonate with us today, whether as part of new fictional storylines, or as cultural beacons and references. Verne didn't just write stories; he opened portals to new worlds and inspired generations to dream bigger and reach farther. Join us ...
Jul 16, 2024•46 min•Ep. 30
On one side, the Catholic majority, unwavering in their devotion to Rome. On the other, the Huguenots, French Protestants inspired by the teachings of Jean Calvin. Caught in the crossfire of this religious divide was the monarchy, struggling to maintain order amidst growing tension. But their efforts often only fuelled the flames of conflict. And so, in 1562, the first shots were fired in what would become known as the French Wars of Religion. Over the next three decades, France would be engulfe...
Jun 11, 2024•56 min•Ep. 29
When we talk about Napoléon, we often talk about battles or politics, but we don't talk nearly enough about the man. Some dismiss him as a proto-Hitler, others adore him as they would a god. But few actually try to crack open the mysteries of the Napoleonic mind. Author Louis Sarkozy did just that, by studying Napoléon Bonaparte and his most important personal activity: his readings. Louis Sarkozy's upcoming book, Napoleon's Library , is both a fantastic character study and a thoroughly executed...
May 07, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 28
We often see history as a succession of dates, events, wars and political machinations. But we should not forget that history is also forged by culture and by art. Art reflects society's values and aspirations, but also helps create them and move people forward. It also elevates us and makes us better in many ways. Among the many art forms available to us, music is the one that transports us with the greatest strength. It surrounds us, lifts us and takes us to places we didn't know existed. Oh, ...
Apr 09, 2024•37 min•Ep. 27
For France, the Great War is a serious and deep wound that she partially inflicted on herself. It is painful and has never fully healed. It is something personal, felt by all strata of the nation. From the humblest peasant to the richest industrialist, no layer of French society was spared in the great slaughter that the trenches were. The country itself still bears the scars of battles dating back nearly 110 years. Every city and village in France has a monument to the dead of the First World W...
Feb 07, 2024•53 min•Ep. 26
In this unique episode, we engage in a conversation with Salina B. Baker , an accomplished author of historical fiction, who has received multiple awards for her work. Additionally, she is a historian specializing in the American Revolution and Victorian America. She has just released an outstanding novel titled " The Line of Splendor: A Novel of Nathanael Greene and the American Revolution. " In our conversation, we delve into the intricate relationship between General Greene and his close Fren...
Jan 09, 2024•42 min•Ep. 25
Liberté , égalité , fraternité . This is the French Republic’s motto. Liberty and equality are also in the first article of the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" of 1789. The French are very proud of that heritage, of France’s struggle during and after the Revolution. They think of their homeland as the cradle of liberty in Europe, as a welcoming and understanding land, ruled by reason and intellect, rather than by prejudice and bigotry. Sadly, those clear and healthy waters ...
Dec 12, 2023•48 min•Ep. 24
This particular conflict goes by multiple names and definitions. While it is globally recognized as the Seven Years' War, it is more commonly referred to in America as the French and Indian War, and in Canada as the War of Conquest. These wars are all interconnected and are part of a vast global struggle between the two superpowers of the mid-eighteenth century: France and Great Britain. Considered by many as the first true world war, it continues to reverberate even today. Join us as we embark ...
Nov 07, 2023•44 min•Ep. 23
King Louis XIII and the Cardinal de Richelieu. These two men are quite important and deserve to be better known. The Cardinal is probably the most known of the two, because of his policies, wars and his long lasting impact on French institutions and Europe's destiny. Louis XIII is often perceived as the weaker of the two, the king who merely signed his minister's recommendation. But history is never quite that straightforward, that easy. It is under these men that France will become an absolute ...
Oct 03, 2023•42 min•Ep. 22
The Nouvelle France (New France) is the French colonization of North America. And by this I mean North America, not just Canada. Over a couple of centuries, the French established settlements all over North America, especially along the St-Lawrence and Mississippi River but also in Nova Scotia, Florida, Louisiana and more. New France basically existed from the first adventures of Jacques Cartier in 1534 to the end of the Seven Years' War in 1763 and the signature of the treaty of Paris, that saw...
Aug 22, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 21
We delve into the life and reign of King François I (Francis the First), who ruled France from 1515 to 1547. Despite facing significant challenges and experiencing notable failures during his rule, François I remains one of the most renowned French monarchs. He is particularly associated with the Renaissance in France and has left a lasting legacy, particularly in the fields of arts and sciences. He's also responsible for the establishment of New France by sending Jacques Cartier across the Atla...
Jul 13, 2023•41 min•Ep. 20
In this special episode, I am joined by Sean J. McLaughlin, historian specialized on the relationship between Charles de Gaulle and John Fitzgerald Kennedy. He is the author of JFK and de Gaulle: How America and France Failed in Vietnam, 1961-1963 (University Press of Kentucky, 2019). Together, we discuss the complex but utterly fascinating relationship between France and America in the post-WWII world, especially in Southeast Asia. France and America, two Allies with very different perspectives...
Jun 27, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 19
"The pearl of the Empire", that's how the French described their colony of Indochina, comprised of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. They took over control in the nineteenth century, exploited the place for decades, and finally got kicked out in 1954-55. It is a story of violence and exploitation. Of colonization and war. Of exchanges and legacies. And sometimes, of beauty. A story also rarely told in France, as the French aren't proud of what they did there. Let’s find out more about French Indochina...
Jun 20, 2023•47 min•Ep. 18
In this very special episode, I am joined by a coalition of Napoleonic experts to discuss this fascinating period of history and its legacy. We cover Napoléon's personality, some campaigns, the roles of his marshals, the era's lasting impact, as well as a variety of other topics. A truly interesting and enjoyable discussion. My guests are: Dr. Zack White, historian, battlefield guide, host of " The Napoleonic Wars Podcast ", Chair of the Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity . (Twitt...
May 30, 2023•2 hr 15 min•Ep. 17
Charles de Gaulle, the famous general who led the French Resistance during the Second World war before becoming President and the father of the current French political system: the Fifth Republic. De Gaulle is a very, very complicated man. You will often read in the same paragraph that he was ultra-conservative, but that he was a troublemaker and favoured change. If anything, de Gaulle proves that great leaders are rarely black or white, but often many shades of grey. I shall offer you here, an ...
May 16, 2023•53 min•Ep. 16
The Fall of France of 1940, the famous military campaign that saw France being conquered by the German army in a few weeks. This subject is one of the most misinterpreted military events in history. Reading online, you’d believe that the French went to war with sticks to fight German Panzers , or that they fled at the first sign of enemy artillery. While it is perfectly true that the French army was defeated by the German in a short amount of time, the reasons for this are worth exploring and no...
Apr 11, 2023•41 min•Ep. 15
December 2nd 1804, Napoléon Bonaparte is crowned Emperor of the French. Over the next decade, he will keep reforming and modernizing France, but he will also fight the rest of Europe. He will become master of the continent, defeating all his enemies on land, only to go too far and to see Europe strike back at him and at France. This is the second part of Napoléon's great adventure. If you haven't already done so, I encourage you to listen to the first part as well as to my episode on the French ...
Mar 07, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 14
Napoléon Bonaparte doesn't really need an introduction. He's the most famous Frenchman ever. He's had more books written about him than any other person, except for Jesus Christ. This French general and emperor shook France, Europe and the world at the turn of the nineteenth century. He is also a polarizing figure. Enlightened ruler, or tyrannic dictator? In this episode, we will explore the fantastic story that led him from humble origins in Corsica to being the focus of all of Europe's monarch...
Feb 07, 2023•57 min•Ep. 13
The French Revolution shook the world from 1789 to 1799 and completely transformed modern European societies. By ricochet, it transformed the whole world. It was a real political tsunami, with immediate and long term consequences. With the following Napoleonic wars, it shaped the Nineteenth century in a way that nobody could foresee only a generation before. There are many misconceptions about the French Revolution, like the idea that a mob captured the king and guillotined him right away. It's ...
Jan 10, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 12
Of the millions of people who are born every year during the Middle Ages, an extremely small number are what we call “blue bloods”, members of the nobility. Out of that already small number, a little percentage can be called “royalty”. Someone who manages to be a monarch not only for one country but for two countries, two adversaries, that is more than rare, that’s unique. Today, we have the chance of meeting such a woman. Duchess of Aquitaine, Queen of France and Queen of England. I give you: A...
Dec 06, 2022•36 min•Ep. 11
This part-two of a two-part episode on the Hundred Years' War. I encourage you to listen to the previous episode if you haven't already done so. England owns a third of the French kingdom. War has ravaged France for a quarter of a century. The Black Death has killed millions of people and keeps coming back. At the end of the XIVth century, France is in its worst state probably ever. But the French will fight back, under the leadership of Charles VII and of an extraordinary young woman, Jeanne d'...
Nov 01, 2022•39 min•Ep. 10
