If the words "French Revolution" seem daunting to you, then you're not alone. It would take a whole series of podcast episodes to truly understand it all - and luckily for us - podcaster Mike Duncan has done exactly that. His Revolutions Podcast is world renowned. In this episode of The Earful Tower, he breaks down the French Revolution to its simplest essence. You could call it "The French Revolution For Idiots", where I, your humble host, play the part of the idiot and ask all the questions yo...
Mar 11, 2024•43 min•Season 15Ep. 10
Lina and I discuss how circumstance has led to us raising our nearly three-year-old son in French, Swedish, and English. This episode was brought to you by Cook'n With Class, click here to book a class with them . I did the sauce-making class and LOVED it. *********** The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its Patreon members. From $10 a month you can unlock almost endless extras including bonus podcast episodes, live video replays, special event invites, and our annually updated PDF gui...
Mar 04, 2024•29 min•Season 15Ep. 9
Buying property in Paris (and France, in general) isn't easy. Aside from the dreaded French admin, there is a whole world of traps and tricks to consider. Omissions in the property listing, negotiating prices, and why you shouldn't share a notary with the seller.... This week, lawyer and buyer's agent Christine Bacoup-Tidas explains some of the key pitfalls to avoid in the process. She also chats about property in Paris in general, and her previous life as a ballet dancer and then lawter in New ...
Feb 26, 2024•35 min•Season 15Ep. 8
There's a lot of talk right now about the iconic booksellers by the Seine, aka the bouquinistes . In recent months, the Paris Town Hall officials threatened to remove the stalls to make way for the Olympic Games, but President Macron overturned the decision this week. The book stalls are here to stay. I figured many Earful Tower listeners might want to know more about these mysterious bouquinistes , so let's revisit my chat with Sydney Zekley, who ran one of the stalls not too far from the Tour ...
Feb 19, 2024•25 min•Season 15Ep. 7
Chef David Lebovitz is back on the show to talk about the Aligre Market (le marché d'Aligre) in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. Follow David here for his newsletter on Substack. Music in this episode is from Pres Maxson. *********** The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its Patreon members. From $10 a month you can unlock almost endless extras including bonus podcast episodes, live video replays, special event invites, and our annually updated PDF guide to Paris. Membership takes only...
Feb 12, 2024•37 min•Season 15Ep. 6
Author Samuel Lopez-Barrantes is on the show talking about being a writer in Paris. Perhaps it's not as romantic and lovely as it might sound. Or perhaps it is! Sam has just published his new book, The Requisitions, which you can find here . Follow Sam on Substack here for his page "If Not, Paris" which offers "fiction, essays & music from Paris". Music in this episode is from Pres Maxson. *********** The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its Patreon members. From $10 a month you ca...
Feb 05, 2024•33 min•Season 15Ep. 5
This week, Australian Sam Davies is on the show talking about bars in Paris. He has grown an online following by asking bartenders in Paris (and around the world) to recommend other bars. He talks about the Paris bar scene and how it is evolving, and also lists ten bars worth visiting. In the list is everything from places to get fancy to places to bring your mates. There's something for everyone here. Click here to read the full list, with all the addresses. As for Sam Davies, find his Instagra...
Jan 29, 2024•34 min•Season 15Ep. 4
I love the French language. I feel like I could make an episode like this every year. The ten words and words like I like, that make me smile, or that have some kind of a fun story to them. You can hear me describing them and pronouncing them in greater detail in this week's podcast episode, or click here to read the blog and see the spelling . Music in this episode is from Pres Maxson. *********** The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its Patreon members. From $10 a month you can unloc...
Jan 22, 2024•32 min•Season 15Ep. 3
This week I recap my recent three-hour checkup at the Parisian doctors. Whether you've been to the doctor in France a million times or never before, I'm sure you'll learn something from my experiences and observations :) *********** The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its Patreon members. From $10 a month you can unlock almost endless extras including bonus podcast episodes, live video replays, special event invites, and our annually updated PDF guide to Paris. Membership takes only a...
Jan 15, 2024•25 min•Season 15Ep. 2
IT'S BACK AGAIN! Every year we make a bucket list of things we want to try for the first time in Paris. In this episode, you'll hear Oliver and Lina sharing their top five things they want to do this year in Paris - and we also share the lists of everyone on the Earful Tower team. Why not write your own list and join us? The full list will be on our official website very soon: www.theearfultower.com
Jan 08, 2024•26 min•Season 15Ep. 1
The season is over, the year is over. It's time for a little reflection. In this episode I answer 15 audience questions about our epic ABCson. All the questions come from the Patreon members. Join them here . https://www.patreon.com/theearfultower The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson, find his Substack here. Click here for our walking tours of Paris ....
Jan 01, 2024•25 min•Season 14Ep. 29
Z is for Zinc. In this season finale episode, we tackle the topic of zinc, which is used to make 75 percent of the Paris rooftops. I chat with Constance Allard, who runs the zinc workshop Les toits Parisiens. I also climbed onto a zinc roofing construction site in the 1st arrondissement, and chatted with roofer Frederic Cordier from the roofing company La Louisane . You can see some amazing pictures from our rooftop escapades here on the official website . Do you like this podcast? Become a Patr...
Dec 25, 2023•36 min•Season 14Ep. 28
Y is for Yesteryear. In this episode, I chat with two long-time Paris residents about their first impressions of the city. First, you'll hear from American music journalist Valli about life in Paris in the early 1980s. (Valli was first on the Earful Tower in 2019: "Famous in France: Meet American singer Valli") Then it's Englishman Jim Bane who first came to Paris in 1963. (Jim was first on the Earful Tower in 2017: "Paris expat for 50 years".) Do you like this podcast? Become a Patreon member o...
Dec 18, 2023•44 min•Season 14Ep. 27
X is for Xmas, obviously. In this episode, we share what happened on our eXciting and eXhausting and eXhilarating Christmas walk around the Pantheon. This is, more specifically, a recap of our 2023 Christmas party, when I took 35 people on an evening stroll, while bumping into five famous characters from the past 1500 years of French history. For the full experience, listen to the interactive version of the show as a Patreon member. You can hear the audio from the big night and even answer the q...
Dec 11, 2023•21 min•Season 14Ep. 26
W is for Wall. In this episode, I take you for an exciting and historic walk through the Left Bank of Paris to discover hidden vestiges of the Philippe Auguste Wall. This episode marks the end of my wall trilogy. The first part of the trilogy covered the right bank of Paris , the second part was the 5th arrondissement . Today, we're focused on the sixth arrondissement and I'll take you into libraries, restaurants, hotels, offices, and car parks in search of this elusive 800-year-old wall. You'll...
Dec 04, 2023•31 min•Season 14Ep. 25
V is for Vegan. In this episode, we talk to Amanda Bankert, the owner of Boneshaker Donuts, who has just released a book called Voilà Vegan (double V!). In the book, she reveals that this famed donut shop has been secretly vegan for years!! As a vegan herself, Amanda shares her insights into the city's vegan scene and how it has developed over the years. Mentioned in this episode: Voila Vegan (remember to leave reviews on Amazon!) Boneshaker Donuts & Coffee Do you like this podcast? Become a...
Nov 27, 2023•31 min•Season 14Ep. 24
U is for Underground. In this episode, we take you below Paris: On the Metro, through the sewers, and into the (illegal) catacombs. Mentioned in this episode: Luke's English podcast Amber's Paname Podcast The Comte de Saint Germain who does audio walks of Paris Do you like this podcast? Become a Patreon member of The Earful Tower here to support this show and get extras. The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson, find his Substack here. Click here for our walking tours of Paris ....
Nov 20, 2023•31 min•Season 14Ep. 23
T is for Tour d'Argent. In this episode, we take you inside the famed Tour d'Argent restaurant on the Left Bank of Paris, and you'll hear from me and my wife Lina Nordin Gee as we dine. We also discuss our thoughts on the renovation job from 2022/2023, which has made for one of the most stunning dining experiences in France. And as for the food: Wow. Mentioned in this episode: The Tour d'Argent restaurant. Book a table here . Tour d'Argent address : 15 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris Do you li...
Nov 13, 2023•26 min•Season 14Ep. 22
S is for Sainte-Chapelle. In this episode, I'll take you inside this ancient royal chapel with its incredible stained glass windows. You'll hear from tour guide and Paris expert Amber Minogue, who gives us some insight into the 13th century chapel. You'll also hear my own thoughts about visiting the Sainte-Chapelle on a VIP tour when it was completely empty. Those tickets are unavailable for the foreseeable future, but you can book their Sainte-Chapelle skip-the-line tour on this link. ) Mention...
Nov 06, 2023•25 min•Season 14Ep. 21
R is for Richelieu. In this episode, we'll take you inside the newly renovated Richelieu Library, and then its incredible upstairs museum. This episode is co-hosted by Lina Nordin Gee. Featured in the episode: Find the library and museum here. Address : 5 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Pariss The app we mentioned is called BNF Richelieu The museum room I loved was the La Galerie Mazarin Do you like this podcast? Become a Patreon member of The Earful Tower here to support this show and get extras. The music...
Oct 30, 2023•23 min•Season 14Ep. 20
Q is for Queer. In this episode, I'll give you an insight into Gay Paris. And by gay I mean LGBTQIA+. Where is the gay quarter... or perhaps a better question.... what's happened to the gay quarter now that gentrifcation has hit the Marais? Also: What's a gay bookshop? What do they sell and to whom? Featured in this episode: Bryan Pirolli from The Gay Locals , Boris from Le Ju' cafe, and Nicolas Wanstok from Les Mots à la Bouche bookshop. Find more from The Gay Locals here. Find the bookshop Les...
Oct 23, 2023•35 min•Season 14Ep. 19
P is for Provence. In this episode, you'll hear some thoughts on the lovely southern French region, with the help of some great guests. First, you'll hear from Suzannah and Hugh Cameron from the antique shop Chez Pluie Provence , sharing some practical travel advice. Then it's my own mother, her first time on the pod, sharing her Provence ponderings. Then it's Lina aka Parisian Postcards discussing her thoughts on her week in Provence. Five towns/villages mentioned in this podcast episode: Avign...
Oct 16, 2023•35 min•Season 14Ep. 18
O is for the Olympic Games. In this episode, you'll hear my first look ahead to the 2024 summer Olympics. Given it is still so far away, this is more of a light intro to the topic, with the help of some great guests. First, you'll hear from the American Ambassador to France, Denise Campbell Bauer, talking about Americans and their connection to Paris, then sharing some practical travel advice. Then it's Coutume cafe owner Tom Clark, an Australian in Paris, who gives his thoughts on the Games fro...
Oct 09, 2023•28 min•Season 14Ep. 17
N is for the Notre Dame. In this episode, you'll hear about where we're at with the restoration of the Notre Dame cathedral. Short answer: It will reopen December 2024. Long answer: I chat to one of the carpenters involved in the restoration project, I visit the new Virtual Reality exhibition (which is exceptional), and I take a look in the crypt. Do you like this podcast? Become a Patreon member of The Earful Tower here to support this show and get extras. The music in this episode is from Pres...
Oct 02, 2023•28 min•Season 14Ep. 16
M is for the Marais. In this episode, you'll hear my thoughts on how I'd spend a perfect last day in the Marais district of Paris (in other words, the third and fourth arrondissements). You'll also hear from Paul Barron, co-owner of Le Peloton Cafe and Bike About Tours, and then from tour guide Amber Minogue! Mentioned in this episode: Musée Carnavalet Musée de la chasse et de la Nature Musée des archives Hotel de Sully Place des Vosges Miznon restaurant A whole lot more Do you like this podcast...
Sep 25, 2023•28 min•Season 14Ep. 15
A bit of reflection as we reach the halfway point of this AB-Season. As I said in the episode, a big thanks to musician Pres Maxson , photographer Augusta Sagnelli , editor Eddie Gee, and occasional co-host Lina Nordin-Gee.
Sep 18, 2023•11 min•Season 14Ep. 14
L is for Lyon. In this episode, you'll hear about my experiences after spending 48 hours in Lyon with Lovely Lina. There's also some local insights from Caroline Connor, who does wine tastings in Lyon, and runs the website and social media accounts by the name of Wine Dine Caroline. You can find more from her here. Do you like this podcast? Become a Patreon member of The Earful Tower here to support this show and get extras. The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson. Click here for our walki...
Sep 11, 2023•27 min•Season 14Ep. 13
K is for Kylie the Crocodile in Paris. In this episode, you'll hear a brand new twist in the story of Kylie the Crocodile. This episode was taken from a live show at Spilling the Beans. You can find more from them here. To buy a copy of our childdren's book, Kylie the Crocodile in Paris, click here. Do you like this podcast? Become a Patreon member of The Earful Tower here to support this show and get extras. The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson. Click here for our walking tours of Pari...
Sep 04, 2023•25 min•Season 14Ep. 12
J is for Jewish Paris. In this episode, I take you walking through the Jewish quarter of Paris to try to understand what's going on there. Edith de Belleville, a licensed tour guide, author, and expert on Jewish history, writes me an itinerary of what to find, including: The Shoah Memorial The Museum of Jewish Art and History The As du Fallafel restaurant You can find more from Edith here. During my cultural an culinary explorations, I bump into Jewish history guide Karen Reb Rudel who explains ...
Aug 28, 2023•43 min•Season 14Ep. 11
I is for Ile Saint-Louis - an island in the Seine. As far as I'm concerned, it features the most beautiful walk in Paris. In this episode, I take you walking along the best bits of the island and share my favourite haunts. I also share my ideal route so you can do the same. Do you like this podcast? Become a Patreon member of The Earful Tower here to support this show and get extras, including a video walk of this very route. The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson. Click here for our walk...
Aug 21, 2023•21 min•Season 14Ep. 10
