Learn French with Gaëlle, an experienced French teacher.
99% in French and designed for students with a basic level (A2) or lower intermediate (B1). Gaëlle speaks slowly to make it easier to understand. If you have an intermediate level, you can always increase the playback speed in your app.
Each week, you’ll improve your French whilst also learning about French culture, society, history, and much more.
Go to LanguaTalk.com/frenchpod to read an interactive transcript of each episode as you listen. This will help you follow along and allow you to study the sentences.
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In this episode, Gaelle talks about the triumph of the bikes in Paris and the 25 years of left wing policy it took to progressively push the cars out of the city and become a bike friendly place. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/ai-french-tutor?via=gaelle Claim your free trial, and if you like it, save 20% on the annual unlimited plan with code FRENCH20. You can find an interactive transcript for this episode on Langua ...
In this episode, Gaelle explains the different meanings of those two verbs - which she often hears being misused by her students. If you want to learn how to say “it makes me so happy”, “I can’t do it!”, and “I’ve realised”, this episode is for you. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/ai-french-tutor?via=gaelle Claim your free trial, and if you like it, save 20% on the annual unlimited plan with code FRENCH20. You can find an ...
In this episode, the second part of our interview with Baptiste, we left the field of traditional journalism to explore a different approach: solution journalism. After years of terrible experiences working for 24h news channels, Baptiste created his own media channel to be an actor of a positive and necessary change. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/ai-french-tutor?via=gaelle Claim your free trial, and if you like it, save...
In this episode, Gaelle interviews Baptiste, a French journalist. In this first of a 2-part series, Baptiste talks us through the reality behind the camera: the long hours, the poor work conditions, the exhaustion and the emotional drain. Absolutely enlightening for anyone who isn’t working in that profession. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/ai-french-tutor?via=gaelle Claim your free trial, and if you like it, save 20% on ...
Dans cet épisode, Gaëlle nous fait découvrir le Palais idéal du facteur Cheval, un monument extraordinaire situé dans le sud de la France. Cette œuvre unique a été bâtie pendant 33 ans par Ferdinand Cheval, un facteur rural autodidacte, qui a collecté pierres et coquillages pour créer un palais inspiré de ses voyages imaginaires et des cartes postales qu'il distribuait. Initialement méprisé, le palais est devenu un monument historique classé et une icône de l'art naïf, attirant de nombreux visiteurs et artistes contemporains.
In this episode, Gaelle will help you get more familiar with two structures which require the subjunctive: “pour que” and “bien que”. This episode is addressed to listeners who are already familiar with this conjugation and want to widen their understanding and be able to use it in new contexts. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/ai-french-tutor?via=gaelle You can find an interactive transcript for this episode on Langua ...
In this episode, Gaelle talks about Nouvelle Calédonie, an archipelago in Oceania, far from mainland France and yet, politically connected to it - a remnant of 19th century colonisation. There, a precious metal is found in abundance: nickel. You will discover why this resource is both crucial and devastating, and what part it plays in the political unrest the island is going through since the 80’s. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languata...
In this episode, Gaelle talks about an incredible French woman, Suzanne Noël. She was the first woman in the world to practice cosmetic surgery - at the beginning of the 20th century. She lived through two world wars and built a strong ethic and amazing techniques, considering plastic surgery like a feminist tool. Come and hear about this pioneer who was so readily erased from history books, only because she was a woman… Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in F...
In this episode, Gaelle interviews Annabelle, an incredible and inspiring woman, mum of two young girls and traveling all over Europe in her van with her little family. You might never wish for such an adventurous life, but trust me, you want to listen to the great stories Annabelle has to share. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/ai-french-tutor?via=gaelle You can find an interactive transcript for this episode on Langua ...
In this episode, Gaelle takes the opportunity of the astonishing robbery in the Louvre museum in October 2025 to talk about the Louvre itself and explore its rich and long life as a royal palace. But because talking about the Louvre without talking about its treasures wouldn’t make sense, you will also hear about 2 thefts that happened a century apart, each time shaking French society. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/ai-fre...
In this episode, Gaelle talks about a quite unique building in Paris: the Great Mosque. Located in the quartier Latin, next to Jardin des Plantes et la Sorbonne, you can easily go and visit it and discover this architectural jewel. But why is there such an old and beautiful mosque in the heart of Paris? Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/ai-french-tutor?via=gaelle You can find an interactive transcript for this episode on L...
In this episode, Gaelle talks about the quite unique (and short) French legal working hours, and why holidays tend to be longer in France. The French will casually say “no, I’m not working today, I took a RTT”. But what on Earth is that? Well, come and listen to this episode to find out. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/ai-french-tutor?via=gaelle You can find an interactive transcript for this episode on Langua , and yo...
In this episode, Gaelle talks about an unusual and beautiful place to visit in the Pyrenees: le gouffre d’Esparros (the Abyss of Esparros). You will hear about its discovery, the beauty it conceals and the extremely precise work done to keep it in excellent condition whilst opening it to the public. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/ai-french-tutor?via=gaelle You can find an interactive transcript for this episode on Lan...
In this episode, Gaelle interviews Clémence, a French dietitian with her own private practice. With her modern and progressive views on nutrition, Clémence will explain why being slim doesn’t always mean being healthy, and how the table manners you learnt as a child can have a big impact on your adult life and your relationship with food. 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 interactiv...
In this episode, Gaelle explores the many facets of a famous French seaside resort: Cap d’Agde. From state-planned economy to sexual freedom, this Mediterranean summer hot spot has a lot to it. 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 list here: https://languatalk.com/blog/podcast/french?via=frenchpod Looki...
In this episode, Gaelle goes back in time, post Second World War and the midst of the Cold War, when nuclear weapons were at the center of attention. France got its first nuclear bomb in 1954 and has been a nuclear power since then. But the development and testing of those bombs had to happen somewhere and that part of French history has its share of secrets, lies and deceit. Far from the metropole, the nuclear trials are still an open wound for many people. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI p...
In this episode, Gaelle interviews Jérémy Michalak, a French TV producer. For the past 10 years he has worked with Lucie Carrasco, a heavily disabled French woman, in her trips around the world. In this interview, you will understand how difficult it was to cast and show disability on TV in France, why the duo Jérémy/Lucie is a unique one, and why inclusive cities matter. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/french-AI-chat?via=...
In this episode, Gaelle explains the difference between “temps”, “fois” and “heure”, all translated as “time” in English - making it hard for English speakers to choose the right word. 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 list here: https://languatalk.com/blog/podcast/french?via=frenchpod Looking to lea...
In this episode, Gaelle goes back in time, during the French colonisation of Algeria.The history between the old colonial power and its colony is a rocky one, with a terrible independence war that scared both countries. And in the middle of it, stood a small but powerful white European community, later called “Pieds-noirs”. But why such a name? Listen to this episode to find out! Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/french-AI-ch...
In this episode, Gaelle talks about a famous French writer from the 19th century: George Sand. And don’t be fooled by the masculine name, as it was a decoy for this female writer to get her place in the very misogynist society of the time. Come and meet this incredible woman who didn’t believe in gender norms and thought she could be as good as any man. 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 tackles a grammar point: how to build formal questions and how to use the “t euphonique”. If you ever wondered why French people say “comment va-t-elle?” and where this extra “t” comes from, you are in the right place. 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 list here: https://languatalk.co...
Gaëlle dédie cet épisode à son ami disparu, explorant le tabou de la mort en société occidentale et la nécessité de connaître le vocabulaire approprié. Elle détaille les pratiques funéraires françaises, incluant l'organisation rapide, les options d'enterrement ou de crémation et leurs coûts, ainsi que les règles strictes sur la gestion des cendres. L'épisode conclut sur la complexité des lois françaises concernant l'héritage et l'importance du testament.
In this episode, Gaelle interviews Stéphane, the co-founder and president of a non-profit organisation called “United Schools”. Stephane explains where the idea came from back in 2018 and how he and his wife travelled around the world with a goal: to connect schools and students through social media with one main theme: the protection of our planet. An inspiring journey. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk.com/french-AI-chat?via=ga...
In this episode, Gaelle focuses on what happened to an iconic French building: the cathedral Notre Dame of Paris. In 2019 a terrible fire destroyed its roof and spire and a mad bet was then taken: the cathedral would rise again in all its glory in 5 years. So learn about this incredible reconstruction work that was made possible thanks to the generosity of people worldwide, the incredible work of craftsmen and women and a very strong headed French president. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI p...
In this episode, Gaelle explores “Dry January” in France. This recent British tradition of completely cutting alcohol consumption during the first month of the year has found its way across the Channel and is trying to settle in France. But why does the French government refuse to officially support this initiative? And anyway, in a country famous for its many wines, champagnes and beers, could such an initiative work? Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in Fre...
In this episode, Gaelle talks about Alsace, a region in the East of France, alongside the German border. In true seasonal spirit, you will discover the magical atmosphere of the Christmas markets. The one in Strasbourg being the oldest and biggest in France. However, this episode doesn’t stay festive all the way, and you will get a little history lesson. Alsace has always been a coveted area between France and Germany, and has been at the heart of many wars. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI p...
In this episode, Gaelle talks about the situation in Martinique, a French island in the Caribbean, which is facing violent turmoil because of the high cost of living. You will realise the scale of the problem and understand where it originates, going deep into colonial times. 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 voca...
In this episode, Gaelle talks about a French movie, released in May 2024, which captivated audiences across France. What sets this movie apart is its daring and moving topic: mental disabilities. Through this comedy and the paralympics games, 2024 was a turning point in French society to talk about disabilities and to maybe finally make some real changes to become truly inclusive and accessible. Check out Langua, a cutting-edge AI platform to help you become fluent in French: https://languatalk....
In this episode, Gaelle interviews Laurène, a French teacher who has been in a Union all her professional life. Together they talk about the major historical social achievements in France and what it means nowadays to be part of a Union. You will learn the French word for “strike”, so important in French culture. 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 episod...
In this episode, Gaelle tries to help you a little bit with a tough grammatical topic: the subjunctive tense. You will hear a lot of common sentences, used every day by French people that require this tense. This episode is not designed to fully explain the subjunctive, but to give you the opportunity to work your auditory memory and get used to the tense. 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 fi...