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- 518 - How I did it: The French driving license
Here's the story of how tried to get my French driving permit in a world-record time. I'm joined by Lina, who hangs around for some listener questions about fashion in Paris at the end.
This episode is brought to you by an exciting antique sale: At Home with Patricia Wells, Volume III, the final catalogue from Chez Pluie. Find more here: https://catalog.chezpluie.com/at-home-with-patricia-wells-volume-iii
The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson.
Why not check out our walking tours at The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 - 44min - 517 - Hotel de Ville: Can I get inside the 'impenetrable' City Hall of Paris
H is for Hotel de Ville, aka the Paris City Hall. In this episode, I see if I can get inside this impenetrable building with the help of intern Ashlyn Patton.
The music is from Pres Maxson.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 - 25min - 516 - The 14th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it.
In this episode for the 14th arrondissement, it's Canadian tour guide April Pett who lives in the district and absolutely loves it.
Mentioned in this episode:
Coffee at Sisters Cafe
Lunch at Le Saut du Crapaud
(And more... to be published soon on Substack)
Do a tour with April PettOfficial tour site: https://www.aprilinparistours.com/ (Say hi from me)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilinparistours/?hl=en
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This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music: Pres Maxson
Sun, 06 Sep 2026 - 33min - 515 - Ten things to do in Paris in 2026 (Bucket List Update)
This week on the show, Lina and I discuss how our 2026 Bucket Lists are going.
Here's a link to the full bucket list that we shared in January.
And here are the things we've done so far, that we mentioned in the show.
See anything in the main hall of the Grand Rex (we saw Paul Simon)This is the biggest non-Imax movie screen in Europe, but they also host orchestra-led movie showings, concerts, and singalong musicals. Excellent atmosphere from the 2,000 strong crowd. Address: 1 Bd Poissonnière, 75002. Website.
Climb the top of Notre DameI always wanted to climb this cathedral, and it's finally open to the public again after the fire. Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004. Website.
Have a cocktail at one of the world's best barsDanico has been rated among the top 30 bars on the planet, totally worth a look, and it's in a part of town full of cool things. Address: 6 Rue Vivienne, 75002. Website.
Have absinthe at La fée verteThis place is the real deal, totally worth a look. Address: 108 Rue de la Roquette, 75011. Website.
Visit the Cognacq-Jay museumWhile we have visited this 18th-century art collection from Ernest Cognacq, the founder of La Samaritaine department store, it's not our top choice for small museums in the area. Address: 8 Rue Elzevir, 75003. Website.
Beef bar restaurantDisclaimer: We haven't visited this place in Paris yet, but its little sister in Gordes (Provence) was simply epic for a cocktail. Paris address: 5 Rue Marbeuf, 75008. Website.
I personally am looking forward to seeing something at the Comedie Francaise, I'll do that soon. And in the meantime, I'll keep plugging away at my French book The Comte de Monte Cristo.
The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 24 Aug 2026 - 25min - 514 - Street art, a hidden gem of a Paris museum, and the forbidden catacombs
I recount my recent visit to the Musée de Minéralogie, where Codex Urbanus has taken over with a street art exhibition "Codex on the Rocks".
It was quite a fascinating visit to a place I'd never been, and it was wonderful to have the artist himself explain the impressive work that went into this exhibition.
If you're an Earful Member on Substack or Patreon, you can get more information about a private tour with Codex himself.
The second half of the episode is a look back at when Codex took me into the illegal part of the catacombs.
The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 17 Aug 2026 - 34min - 513 - The 15th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it.
In this episode for the 15th arrondissement, it's content creator Gaby Hafner who lives in the district and absolutely loves it.
Mentioned in this episode:
Sang Bong Lo: 8 Rue Viala, 75015 Paris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ssang_bong_lo/?hl=en Café du Commerce: 51 Rue du Commerce, 75015 Paris Website: https://www.lecafeducommerce.com/ Marché Grenelle: Boulevard de Grenelle (between Dupleix and La Motte-Picquet Metro stations) Rue du Commerce: A major shopping street with boutiques and a Sunday flea market. Beaugrenelle: A large shopping mall near the Seine with a cinema. Gaby Hafner's Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaby_hafner/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabyhafner/****************
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music: Pres Maxson
Sun, 09 Aug 2026 - 31min - 512 - The 16th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season. As you probably know, there are 20 districts in Paris, known as arrondissements. They may as well be kingdoms, at least for this podcast season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it.
In this episode, it's YouTuber Jay Swanson who has lived in the 16th for over a decade. I met him in the Passy Cemetery, here's what he had to say.
Mentioned in this episode:
Museums & Culture Passy Cemetery Trocadéro Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris Palais de Tokyo Palais Galliera Musée Marmottan Monet Musée Clemenceau Point Éphémère Parks & Outdoor Spaces Bois de Boulogne Fondation Louis Vuitton Jardin d'Acclimatation Jardin du Ranelagh Hippodrome de ParisLongchamp Neighborhoods & Landmarks Rue de Belles Feuilles The Golden Triangle Élysée Palace Also Mentioned Jay Swanson's books: Sea of the Unknown and Desert of the New****************
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music: Pres Maxson
Mon, 03 Aug 2026 - 31min - 511 - Grand Palais: Eight things you probably didn't know it
G is for Grand Palais. In this episode, we present eight facts (well, nine) about the magnificent Grand Palais. This is a mixture of entertaining, informative, and practical facts, so you'll certainly get something out of it!
The music is from Pres Maxson.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Sun, 26 Jul 2026 - 30min - 510 - Five more awesome things to find in Provence
We've been exploring Provence this week and here we share some good tips with you.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Pont du Gard, a 2,000-year-old Roman acqueduct Robion, a sleepy village that's perfect for a glass of Ricard L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, where we bought our house and recorded this episode Fontaine de Vaucluse, aka Rivendell from Lord of the Rings The Sénanque Abbey with its monks and lavendarThe music in this episode is from Pres Maxson.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 - 24min - 509 - Meet the Clown Bringing the Fringe Festival back to Paris
F is for Fringe Festival. In this episode, I talk with Australian clown and actor Jasper Foley about how he (and his team) are bringing the famed international theatre and performing arts festival back to the City of Light. Paris.
Also:
What's life like as a trained clown in Paris? What happens at the famed Ground Control in Paris? And how can you support the arts in Paris, even if you're not here?
Here's the link to donate and support the upcoming Fringe Festival: https://whydonate.com/fundraising/paris-fringe-festival-fundraiser Here's the link to get tickets to the show, Sep 9th to 13th, 2026: https://www.parisfringe.fr/ Here's the link to the episode of Spilling the Beans where I was the guest: https://open.spotify.com/episode/39Us4GtDIFjyn6jCHHAAwU?si=ZkiFrcaeSsqxXus3SFaXVA&nd=1&dlsi=4774773ed9ee413cThe music is from Pres Maxson.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Sun, 12 Jul 2026 - 29min - 508 - Inside the US embassy's July 4th party in Paris
E is for Embassy. And in this case, I'm talking about the US Embassy's Garden Party to mark 250 years of Independence with a capital I. And guess what: I was there! So this podcast is just me, Oliver Gee, talking about my night among the Americans for their Fourth of July bash.
And here's the video from INSIDE the US ambassadorial residence that I mentioned in the show, from a year ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygYRLRg--70
The music is from Pres Maxson.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 - 17min - 507 - Unique apartments in Paris: Inside a domed rooftop home
It's sweltering in Paris right now and life is unbearable for many. Not least for those who live under the zinc rooftops. The whole city comes to a standstill in these heatwaves, but those in the rooftops suffer the most, perhaps.
So, while The Earful Tower puts business as usual aside like everyone else, we figured we could take a look back at an episode about another rooftop: The domed cupolas of Paris.
Today's episode is a segment from an episode in early 2022, where I interviewed an American woman called Sarah who lived in such a dome. Here's the chat. And here are some dome pics from outside and inside.
This episode is brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in Montmartre, the Marais, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are now award winning, and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music: Pres Maxson
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 09min - 506 - How we launched our newest children's book in Paris
Every year or so, Lina and I make a children's book. Sophie in Paris is the fifth. And every time, once the books arrive, we hit the streets of Paris to deliver them ourselves. Bookshops, museums, all of it. This episode is about that part. Not the writing, not the illustrating, but the launching - which we find to be one of the most enjoyable bits. The envelopes, the deliveries, the doors we knock on.
So, for our second new episode this week, we're focusing on D for Deliveries.
Five books in, the operation has grown. This new book, Sophie in Paris, has been our biggest yet, and Lina and I sit down to talk through what that actually looks like from the inside.
Get Sophie in Paris: theearfultower.com/shop
Find the book in a shop near you: Where to buy our children's books in Paris
Fri, 19 Jun 2026 - 22min - 505 - Alain Delon and the murder that shook Paris
D is for Delon, Alain Delon. Author Edward Chisholm is back on the podcast, this time talking about his new book Murder in Paris '68.
We recorded this one on location - sitting on the quai by the Seine, directly beneath the Quai des Orfèvres, the famous Paris police headquarters that has watched over the city's darkest crimes for centuries. Fitting, then, that we were there to talk about one of France's most explosive unsolved murders.
In 1968, a body was discovered on the outskirts of Paris and identified as Stevan Marković, the former bodyguard and close associate of the enigmatic film star Alain Delon. What began as a simple murder case quickly spiralled into a full-blown political scandal, drawing in actresses, gangsters, and high-level politicians.
British author Edward Chisholm, the author of the bestselling memoir A Waiter in Paris, has written the definitive account of the affair. His new book takes us into the heart of an era and into the inner world of Alain Delon himself, a world of gangsters, violence, and underworld Parisian conspiracies, where everyone possessed their own cold elegance and charisma.
We talked about the book, the Marković Affair, and of course... Alain Delon.
The music is from Pres Maxson.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 - 32min - 504 - Exploring the Paris district where the Statue of Liberty was built
New episode: Let's take a deeper dive into the 17th arrondissement of Paris. You've hopefully already heard the previous episode, where Tom Vickers shared his thoughts on the 17th Kingdom.
In this brand new episode, I kept exploring the 17th with my wife (and our new intern Victoria Hughes).
Relevant places to find:
Musée national Jean-Jacques Henner 43 avenue de Villiers, 75017 A beautiful 19th-century townhouse museum dedicated to the dreamy, atmospheric paintings of Alsatian artist Jean-Jacques Henner (1829–1905), tucked into the elegant Plaine Monceau neighbourhood. www.musee-henner.fr
Claude Debussy & the 17th Debussy lived in the 17th for many years and composed some of his most celebrated works here, including Pelléas et Mélisande and Clair de Lune. The neighbourhood honoured him with both a street and a conservatoire bearing his name.
25 Rue de Chazelles: Where the Statue of Liberty Was Built The workshop where Bartholdi and Eiffel assembled the Statue of Liberty before shipping it to New York. 25 rue de Chazelles, 75017
Inform Café A top specialty coffee shop and brunch spot with two locations in the 17th, one of them inside the striking Cité de l'Économie building (11 bis rue Georges Berger, 75017), and the original at 25 rue des Acacias. www.informcafe.com
Square des Batignolles A classic Haussmann-era English-style garden with a grotto, waterfall and pond, it's the heart of the village-y Batignolles neighbourhood. 11 place Charles-Fillion, 75017
Parc Martin Luther King (Parc Clichy-Batignolles) A vast, modern 10-hectare park built on former railway land, full of biodiversity, cherry trees. 147 rue Cardinet, 75017
Station Service Batignolles A tiny, warm neighbourhood coffee shop serving specialty coffee, fresh juices and homemade cakes - a perfect local gem. 3 rue Brochant, 75017
This episode is brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in Montmartre, the Marais, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are now award winning, and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music: Pres Maxson's take on Debussy's Claire de Lune.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 - 17min - 503 - The 17th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season. As you probably know, there are 20 districts in Paris, known as arrondissements. They may as well be kingdoms, at least for this podcast season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it.
In this episode, it's Australian chef Tom Vickers. He runs a couple of cafes in the 17th, a district he defines as being a fusion of its neighbouring districts (specifically the 18th and 16th). I met him at his flagship spot, the Inform Cafe, here's what he had to say.
Mentioned in this episode:
Inform Café - the original
25 Rue des Acacias, 75017 Paris
Flagship mentioned in the episode: 11 bis Rue Georges Berger, 75017 Paris
With its high ceilings and view of an Italian-German architecture tower, this location offers more of a restaurant experience, with some additions to the menu, like a short wine list.
Great streets: Rue des Dames, Rue de Lévis
Canadian Embassy Pub: With a dark wood interior and a list of draft beers, here you can get a traditional Canadian Pub experience.
Address: 71 Bd Gouvion-Saint-Cyr, 75017 Paris
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This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music: Pres Maxson
Mon, 08 Jun 2026 - 32min - 502 - Cheese Crime in Paris: The Viral Dinner Party Photo That Shocked Us All
Updated Re-Release: This episode originally aired a few years ago and has since become one of The Earful Tower's most beloved classics. We're bringing it back today because some things are simply too good - and too instructive - to stay buried in the archives.
It started with a photo. A single, damning image shared on The Earful Tower's social media: an 18-month-old Comté, massacred at a Parisian dinner party by the hand of a newly arrived American. The picture went viral inside the Earful community almost instantly, and the culprit, Will Weaver, a Texan fresh off the plane, became the talk of the group. So we did what any responsible France-based podcast would do: we launched a full investigation.
In this episode, you'll hear from genuinely mortified cheesemongers, some committed dramatic performances from Earful VIPs, and crucially the full account from Will Weaver himself, the man holding the knife that fateful evening. Yes, we find out exactly what he did, why he did it, and whether he has shown any remorse whatsoever. We also get into the real, legitimate, no-nonsense guide to how you are actually supposed to cut a Comté — because this is a safe space for learning, not just judgement.
A word of warning before you dive in: a lot of this episode is firmly tongue-in-cheek, so take the drama with a generous pinch of salt. The cheese-cutting advice, however, is completely genuine. If the episode sends you running to the nearest fromagerie, the spots mentioned in the show is worth a visit: Griffon Fromager in Paris's 7th arrondissement (23 bis Av. de la Motte-Picquet, 75007 Paris) and we also recorded at bar of the legendary Le Bristol Paris (112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris). Both are excellent.
The music is from Pres Maxson.
This episode is brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Whether you're exploring the Marais, scaling Montmartre, or wandering the Latin Quarter, our walking tours are among the highest-rated in Paris — and the best possible way to experience this podcast in the flesh.
The Earful Tower stays independent thanks to its members. For just $10 a month, you'll unlock a growing vault of extras: bonus episodes, live video replays, special event invites, and an annually updated PDF guide to Paris that's worth its weight in Comté. You can get started in under a minute via Patreon or Substack — and if you're already a member, thank you. You're the reason this exists.
More from The Earful Tower: Website · Weekly Newsletter · Walking Tours
Fri, 05 Jun 2026 - 28min - 501 - The day I had Paris's best museum to myself (and risked missing my son's birth)
C is for Carnavalet. Or should that be Kernevenoy??
In this episode, we dive into one of Paris's most overlooked treasures - the Carnavalet Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated entirely to the history of Paris. I share, for the first time, the story of visiting the newly renovated museum before it opened to the public - completely alone - while waiting for the birth of my first son. Plus: the strange story behind the museum's bizarre name, and the remarkable woman history forgot.
The Carnavalet Museum: 23 rue de Sévigné (also entered from 16 rue des Francs-Bourgeois), 75003
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am–6pm. Closed Mondays. Permanent collection is free. Metro: Saint-Paul (line 1) Official website: carnavalet.paris.fr
Mentioned in this episode:
The €56 million renovation that closed the museum for four and a half years before reopening in May 2021 Françoise de La Baume — the twice-widowed aristocrat who actually owned the building and whose husband's unpronounceable Breton name gave the museum its peculiar title Marcel Proust's cork-lined bedroom, Napoleon's death mask, and a 6,000-year-old canoe pulled from the SeineThe music is from Pres Maxson.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Sun, 31 May 2026 - 24min - 500 - Montmartre: The old village of a thousand facelifts
New episode: Let's take a deeper dive into the 18th arrondissement of Paris. You've hopefully already heard the previous episode, where Sutanya Dacres shared her thoughts on the 18th Kingdom.
In this brand new episode, I re-visited the 18th and did some exploring with my wife, and with Earful Tower's senior tour guide Hannah Coyle, who regularly walks the streets of Montmartre. Hannah shared her thoughts on everything from gentrification to rue des Abbesses, my old favourite street.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in Montmartre (!!) or Marais, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are now award winning, and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life. Why not meet Hannah in Montmartre!
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Walking Tours Music: Pres Maxson
Fri, 29 May 2026 - 14min - 499 - The 18th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms", a new season of The Earful Tower podcast. As you probably know, there are 20 districts in Paris, known as arrondissements. They may as well be kingdoms, at least for this podcast season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it.
In this episode, it's Sutanya Dacres, podcaster and author of Dinner For One. She has called the 18th home since 2013 and truly loves it. I met her at the Pirates de Montmartre seafood restaurant over an oyster or two. Here's what she had to say.
Mentioned in this episode:
Les Pirates De Montmartre (seafood restaurant)
Address: 63 Rue Duhesme, 75018 Paris
Au Rêve (cafe),
Address: 89 Rue Caulaincourt, 75018 Paris
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This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music: Pres Maxson
Sun, 24 May 2026 - 27min - 498 - The Lost River of Paris: Searching for the Bièvre
This podcast episode features host Oliver Gee and his co-host Lina exploring the history and physical traces of the Bièvre, a lost river in Paris. Once a vital waterway that flowed into the Seine, the river was entirely buried and built over by 1912 due to industrial pollution.
In this updated re-release, we lead a "scavenger hunt" with a group of enthusiasts to find medallions, plaques, and architectural clues that reveal the river's hidden path through the 13th and 5th arrondissements. A highlight of the journey includes visiting a perfectly preserved medieval arch located deep beneath a modern post office. Oliver also ventures outside city limits with a colorful character named the "Comte de Saint-Germain" to wade through a restored section of the water. Finally, the discussion touches on future urban projects that aim to uncover parts of the Bièvre to help the city combat climate change.
The music is from Pres Maxson.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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.
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Fri, 22 May 2026 - 34min - 497 - Brocantes, flea markets, and the art of antiquing in France
B is for Brocantes! This podcast episode features an interview with Sharon Santoni, a long-time expert on French lifestyle and author of the book "The Art of Antiquing in France."
She discusses the nuances of the "brocante", which she defines as accessible antiques that possess a unique history and patina.
The conversation explores the cultural importance of repurposing vintage items and provides practical advice for navigating famous markets like the Puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris and fairs in Provence.
Sharon shares her personal journey from starting a blog in 2010 to building a community centered on French country aesthetics. Additionally, she shares tips for international travelers on how to identify quality pieces, negotiate prices, and transport treasures home.
Key Links and Websites
Sharon Santoni's Official Website: www.myfrenchcountryhome.com
This is the primary hub for her blog (started in 2010), her My French Country Home magazine, and her boutique.
The Book: "The Art of Antiquing in France" – Published by Flammarion, this book serves as both a reference and a coffee table book and is fully illustrated with photographs by Sharon Santoni, Franck Schmitt, and Joanna Maclennan.
Books are available worldwide from your favorite local bookseller and signed editions can be purchased directly via her website on this link. Antique Fair Locator: Sharon mentions the website, www.brocabrac.fr, which is a helpful resource for finding fairs happening across France on any given weekend Places Mentioned
The episode covers several iconic and local spots for antiquing and living in France:
In Paris: Les Puces de Saint-Ouen: Located on the northern perimeter of Paris, Sharon describes it as a unique place in the world with over 500 vendors and specialized knowledge in everything from paintings to textiles Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves: A weekend morning market Sharon and Oliver both enjoy for its "authentic vibe." It is known for its urgency, as dealers unpack from cars at 8:00 AM and pack up by 12:30 PM Foire de Châtou: A large, prestigious 10-day antique fair held just outside of Paris In Provence and Southern France:
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue: This town is famous for its antique dealers and weekend markets. Villeneuve-lès-Avignon: A "wonderful" fair mentioned by Sharon Carpentras: Another "fantastic" fair located in the south In Normandy and Northern France:
The Eure Valley (Val de l'Eure): Sharon lives in the Normandy countryside, roughly halfway between Paris and Deauville, near the famous village of Giverny Amiens: A northern city (noted as the home of Emmanuel Macron) that hosts a spectacular fair where selling starts as early as midnight Lille: Known for its massive fair, though Sharon notes it is so large it can be "scary" because it includes items beyond just antiques Notable Details for Antiquing
Brocante vs. Antiques: Sharon defines brocante as "relaxed antiques", a mix of items with patina and repurposed pieces, whereas the "antique world" typically involves highly polished furniture and higher price points The "Hand Rule": Sharon advises that if you are interested in an item, keep your hand on it; if you take your hand off and step away, someone else can jump in Suitcase Treasures: For travelers, she suggests looking for paintings, vintage postcards, or palettes that can easily fit into a suitcase
One tip she shares from her travelers is to "ship home their dirty laundry" to make room for their antique treasures in their luggage.
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A reminder: For this new season, we're doing a new take on the A to Z of Paris. This time, B stands for Brocantes, following from A which stood for Arc de Triomphe.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
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Mon, 18 May 2026 - 31min - 496 - Paris district guide: What we found in the 19th arrondissement
New episode: Let's take a deeper dive into the 19th arrondissement of Paris. You've hopefully already heard the previous episode, where Ben McPartland shared his thoughts on the 19th Kingdom.
In this brand new episode, we visited some of the places he recommended, plus more. And we report back to you! (Scroll down for the spelling/websites of each place mentioned).
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
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Food and Drink
L'Atalante A spacious bar on the canal known for IPAs and dishes like roasted cauliflower with peanut butter sauce. 26 Quai de la Marne, 75019 Paris www.latalante.fr
Combat A lively cocktail bar near the border of the 19th and 20th arrondissements, recommended for high-quality cocktails. 63 Rue de Belleville, 75019 Paris www.combat.paris
Lao Siam A long-running Southeast Asian restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide, known for dishes like "Crying Tiger" beef. 49 Rue de Belleville, 75019 Paris www.laosiam.fr
Cheval d'Or A highly praised restaurant with an understated exterior. 21 Rue de la Villette, 75019 Paris www.chevaldorparis.com
Paname Brewing Company A brewery on the canal serving craft beer and food. 41 Quai de la Loire, 75019 Paris www.panamebrewingcompany.com
Le Passage à Niveau A restaurant on the Petite Ceinture with its own herb garden and mushroom cultivation. 2 bis Rue de l'Ourcq, 75019 Paris https://www.instagram.com/lepassageaniveau/
Coffee Shops & Bakeries
Mardi A café known for excellent coffee and Swedish-style cinnamon buns. 29 Rue de la Villette, 75019 Paris www.instagram.com/mardi_cafe_paris
Buna Bet A specialty coffee shop and roastery known for single-origin coffee, pastries, and a warm neighborhood atmosphere. 102 Rue de Meaux, 75019 Paris www.bunabet.fr
Parks & Culture
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont A dramatic park built on an old quarry with steep hills, a lake, and a hilltop temple. 1–7 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris
Parc de la Villette A large contemporary park with playgrounds, museums, and entertainment venues. 211 Av. Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris www.lavillette.com
Philharmonie de Paris A major concert hall located inside Parc de la Villette. 221 Av. Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris www.philharmoniedeparis.fr
L'Eau et les Rêves A botanical bookshop on a moored boat along the canal. 9 Quai de l'Oise, 75019 Paris https://www.penichelibrairie.com/
Belleville Market A busy outdoor food market near Rue de Belleville. Boulevard de Belleville, 75019 Paris
Nordic Bookshop (La Librairie Nordique) A specialized bookstore focused on Nordic and northern literature. 5 Rue de la Villette, 75019 Paris www.lalibrairienordique.fr
Sat, 16 May 2026 - 19min - 495 - The 19th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms", a new season of The Earful Tower podcast. As you probably know, there are 20 districts in Paris, known as arrondissements. They may as well be kingdoms, at least for this podcast season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it.
That's the whole concept. This isn't me recommending cafes or restaurants in different parts of town. This is true locals telling us about the soul of their kingdom and what they like to do there. The goal is to give you a very real look at each of these districts from a local's perspective.
And for the 19th Kingdom, the second episode of the season, you'll meet Ben McPartland, the presenter and producer of the Talking France podcast, which is made by The Local France news website here in Paris.
He loves this "genuine neighbourhood" of an arrondissement, and I met him at the edge of the Bassin de la Villette for a pint of beer, which he also loves. Here's what he had to say.
Mentioned in this episode:
Drinks, Food & Canal Hangouts
Paname Brewing Company
A floating brewery on the Bassin de la Villette with an easygoing, almost London-style pub atmosphere. Great beers, lively crowds, and one of the best sunset views over the canal.
41 Quai de la Loire, 75019 panamebrewingcompany.com
L'Atalante
Just up the Canal de l'Ourcq from Paname Brewing, this spot is known for its strong craft beer selection and excellent IPAs.
26 Quai de la Marne, 75019 latalante-paris.com
La Rotonde
Historic circular building at Stalingrad with restaurants, terraces, and drinks right on the edge of the canal basin. Ideal meeting point before exploring the neighborhood.
6–8 Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad, 75019
Bars Inside Buttes-Chaumont
In summer, the park fills with tiny outdoor bars and terraces tucked among the hills and pathways — perfect for an afternoon drink after wandering the park.
Music, Film & Culture Philharmonie de Paris
One of Paris's great modern concert halls, famous for its dramatic silver architecture and panoramic rooftop terrace overlooking the city.
221 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 philharmoniedeparis.fr
Le Zénith
Large live music venue inside Parc de la Villette hosting major touring artists and rock concerts.
211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 le-zenith.com
MK2 Cinemas
Twin cinemas facing each other across the canal. A favorite local spot for late-night screenings and films in original English versions.
7 Quai de la Loire & 14 Quai de la Seine, 75019 mk2.com
Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
Massive science and industry museum loved by Parisian families, with exhibitions, immersive installations, and huge open spaces.
30 Avenue Corentin Cariou, 75019 cite-sciences.fr
On the Water Akwa electric boats
Rent small electric boats and cruise the Canal de l'Ourcq yourself — especially beautiful from spring through early autumn.
37 Quai de la Seine, 75019
https://akwa-experience.com/en/
Kayaks & Rowboats
Locals can often access free kayaking and rowing sessions around the Bassin de la Villette on weekends during warmer months.
Summer Canal Swimming
Every summer, sections of the Bassin de la Villette transform into open-air swimming areas, with races, floating pools, and seasonal events.
Parks & Walks Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Wild, cinematic, and hilly — often called the most beautiful park in Paris. Expect cliffs, bridges, waterfalls, a lake, and incredible Sacré-Cœur views.
Parc de la Villette
Huge contemporary park blending architecture, green space, music venues, museums, and canal life into one sprawling cultural district.
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This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
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Music: Pres Maxson
Mon, 11 May 2026 - 27min - 494 - Following the Rose Line to the Paris observatory
Let's take a deep dive into the Paris Rose Line. This is an updated re-release of the time I did another A to Z season, where A was for Arago, the name of the scientist who helped map out the Paris meridian line (François Arago (1786-1853)).
In this episode, I explored the "Rose Line" (as it was called in the Da Vinci Code), sought out the bronze medallions along the streets of Paris, through the Louvre, and into the Paris Observatory.
Featured is the voice of Nicolas Lesté-Lasserre, a science historian and the community manager of the Observatoire de Paris. He showed me around this incredible 17th century institution, which is usually closed to the public.
Find more, including beautiful pictures of the observatory, on The Earful Tower's website.
The episode in this music is from Pres Maxson, featuring an original song called Le Meridien de Paris.
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
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Fri, 08 May 2026 - 36min - 493 - The INIMITABLE Arc de Triomphe: Five things you didn't know
It's another new season - and we're doing a new take on the A to Z of Paris. This time, A stands for Arc de Triomphe. A big thanks to the team at the Arch, who opened this majestic monument just for me! I had the whole thing to myself, did an interview on top - and then made this episode.
You'll hear my wife Lina as my sidekick as I share about 10-15 cool things about the Arch, at least five of which you definitely didn't know.
Find the video we mentioned on my YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/theearfultower
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
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Mon, 04 May 2026 - 29min - 492 - What to do in Belleville and the 20th district of Paris
Let's take a deeper dive into the 20th arrondissement of Paris. This is an updated re-release of the time we visited the 20th arrondissement as part of our Paris Countdown season.
You'll hear dinnertime singalongs, a cemetery visit, and more about the best pizza in Europe. There is even an interview with a Polish singer called Gosia who had just finished leading an Edith Piaf show at a local restaurant. (She sings on the episode, too, her fave Edith song, which was J'm'en fous pas mal).
You can find everything we mention on this post:
This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
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If you're in a rush, here is a narrative distillation of the episode (meaning, essentially, that you're reading about 10 percent of what happens).
Oliver: Let me take you back to December 19th, 1915, in Paris, where a baby girl named Edith Piaf was born on the cold streets of Belleville. She became the soul of Paris and, more specifically, the soul of the district we are sharing with you today in the far east of the city. To get there, we are taking a car, and I'm joined by my wife and confidant, Lina,.
Lina: Yes, I am ready. Welcome to a new season.
Oliver: I'm very excited. I've described my role this season as the Robin to your Batman.
Lina: And usually, I am the Batman, of course.
Oliver: We want to give everyone a glimpse into this interesting neighborhood where Edith Piaf served as the muse,. Upon arrival in Belleville, we stayed at the Babel Belleville hotel. It was immediately clear that this is a different version of Paris than the one people expect with berets and the Eiffel Tower.
Lina: Especially since we arrived on market day.
Oliver: The market was busy, bustling, and colorful, with more people than I've ever seen in a Paris market. We were in full tourist mode, talking to street sellers and eating what seemed like an Algerian Korean crepe,. The area is very diverse and immersive,. We also noticed that as time passed, there were far fewer tourists than in areas like the Marais.
Lina: The shops aren't catered to tourists either; many were residential or even closed down,. It's a real, unpolished neighborhood.
Oliver: Our plan was to explore for the day and then attend a show at Le Vieux Belleville. The 20th is a large district, so we did a lot of walking. We set our sights on Peppe's Pizza, which is ranked the best pizza in Europe. On the way, we passed the Père Lachaise Cemetery, which is essentially the only major tourist attraction in the district.
Lina: I used to live in the 20th and had visited the cemetery a few times years ago, but it is just so big.
Oliver: No one should miss it because entering those gates feels like entering a different world. However, it is not wheelchair or push-chair friendly due to the huge cobblestones,. While the most famous grave is often cited as Jim Morrison, I went looking for the ultimate hit: Edith Piaf,. Her grave is somewhat unassuming, much like her famous little black dress. After the cemetery, we finally had that pizza, which lived up to the hype with its unique toppings like cheese and marmalade,.
Lina: It was delicious.
Oliver: Next, we looked for La Campagne à Paris, the "countryside of Paris". It's a remote area with cottage-style houses built on top of old quarries, which is why the buildings are so low,. Our cab driver even gossiped that the previous president, François Hollande, lives up there.
Lina: It was lovely, though since it's winter, there were more sticks than greenery. It's a great spot for a 15-minute walk and an Instagram photo.
Oliver: That evening, we went to Le Vieux Belleville. We were worried it might be cheesy or touristy, but we ended up staying for three hours,. I managed to warm up the owner by telling him he looked like George Clooney,. Every Tuesday is Edith Piaf night, featuring an accordionist and a wonderful Polish singer named Gosia,.
Lina: The vibe felt like crashing a French family's dinner party,.
Oliver: We were the only foreigners there, but everyone was dancing and singing together. It was an utterly surprising amount of fun. Afterward, I stepped outside to interview the singer, Gosia,.
Oliver: Gosia, that was a wonderful performance. How did a Polish woman end up singing Edith Piaf in Belleville,?
Gosia: I started learning French by singing her songs. I adore the "gut" emotion in her singing; she comes from the streets. Piaf is an icon, but not many people really listen to her music anymore.
Oliver: What makes a good crowd for you?
Gosia: A crowd that realizes they actually can sing along. I know the evening worked if people are exchanging phone numbers and talking to their neighbors by the end. It's more of a ritual than a concert.
Oliver: What is your favorite Piaf song?
Gosia: My favorite is "J'm'en fous pas mal".
Oliver: You also mentioned this is the best district in Paris.
Gosia: It is getting gentrified, but it's a lovely, mixed, working-class area where Piaf was born. It has the real life of the neighborhood and an original Parisian feel,. We need to enjoy it while it lasts.
Oliver: Le Vieux Belleville really captured the vibe of the neighborhood. My only complaint was that the lighting was a bit too bright,. Afterward, we walked down to Rue de Belleville and visited a bar called Aux Folies where Piaf used to perform,.
Lina: That bar has a great "old Paris but young vibe" with neon lights. It's very picturesque, but don't expect fancy cocktails—it's all about cheap drinks and fun.
Oliver: We stayed at the Babel Belleville, which has an international, "multi-culti" vibe that represents the 20th well,. The next day, we visited a brand-new cafe called The Dancing Goat, run by a young British guy,.
Lina: The cafe was beautiful and fresh. Regarding the street art, it was cool but perhaps not as much as I had hoped for.
Oliver: I think the 13th arrondissement might be better for street art, though Rue Dénoyez had some huge murals,. Finally, we decided to rank the district based on five categories: Strollability, Affordability, Sharability, Touristability, and Accessibility,.
The Scores:
Strollability: Oliver (4), Lina (3) — It's too big and has too many hills. Affordability: Oliver (10), Lina (10) — Probably the cheapest in Paris. Sharability: Oliver (5), Lina (4). Touristability: Oliver (3), Lina (5) — Lina liked the views and the bars,. Accessibility: Oliver (3), Lina (2) — It's quite far from the rest of Paris.Oliver: My total was 23, and Lina's was 26, giving the district a 49 out of 100,.
Lina: It failed!
Oliver: It's not a fail, it's just a very residential district. I probably wouldn't stay here on a first trip to Paris, but it's a great experience if you've been here before. Join us next week as we head to the canals of the 19th Arrondissement.
Oliver and Lina: Bye-bye!
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 - 34min - 491 - The 20th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome to "The 20 Kingdoms", a new season of The Earful Tower podcast.
As you probably know, there are 20 districts in Paris, known in French as arrondissements. But my brother once referred to them as kingdoms and I liked it. It's true, each of the districts has its own soul, quite separate from the next. They may as well be kingdoms. At least for a podcast season.
In this 20-episode season of the podcast, I'm going to visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves that particular district. Maybe they work there, maybe they live there, or maybe they just love it.
That's the whole concept. This isn't me recommending cafes or restaurants in different parts of town. This is true locals telling us about the soul of their kingdom and what they like to do there. The goal is to give you a very real look at each of these districts from a local's perspective.
And for the 20th Kingdom, the first episode of the season, you'll meet Abiola, a social worker who looks after kids in the north western side of the district. He loves cafes, good food, football and the 20th arrondissement of Paris. Here's what he had to say.
Mentioned in this episode:
Restaurant
Paloma
Website: https://www.instagram.com/paloma.belleville/
Address: 93 Rue Julien Lacroix, 75020 Paris
Bar
Combat
Website: https://www.instagram.com/combat.belleville/?hl=en
Address: 63 Rue de Belleville, 75019 Paris
Cafes
Candle Kids
Website: https://www.instagram.com/candlekidscoffee/ Address: 107 rue des couronnes, Paris, France 75020
Miliki Coffee
Website: https://milikicafe.com/
Address: 8 rue Levert, 75020 Paris
Bambin
Website: https://bambin-coffeeshop.fr/
Address: 40 Rue de Tourtille, 75020 Paris
Best thing to do
Parc de Belleville
Best street
Rue Saint Blaise
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This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter. Our Walking Tours are exceptionally highly rated online and are the best way to experience this podcast in real life.
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
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Music: Pres Maxson
Mon, 20 Apr 2026 - 29min - 490 - The midnight market in Paris you've never heard about
Have you ever heard of Rungis? It's the world's largest wholesale food market, it provides all the Paris markets and restaurants with their fresh produce, and you can find it near the Orly Airport.
Or can you?
This place may as well be top secret. Only the vendors and restauranteurs can access it - yet it's as big as a village. Every night, at around 2am, produce sellers (like fishermen and cheesemongers) open their doors to the eager buyers, who charge in and negotiate prices for the goods.
And even though it's closed to the public, I got an invite to make this episode. My invite came from April Pett who runs April in Paris tours, check her out here: https://www.aprilinparistours.com/
Big shout out to market vendor Jaad who took us around and whose laughter echoed through the halls of Rungis all night.
You can find more about the market here (but remember, it isn't open to visit to the public). https://www.rungisinternational.com/
Here's the replay of the short live video we made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeiII9gqlZo
And the rest of our pictures are on social media, the rest of my videos will be for the members, only. Links below.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music: Pres Maxson
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 - 16min - 489 - A glimpse at life in our trilingual family
I speak English with our two children (soon to be 2 and 5 years old). My wife speaks Swedish with them. The outside world is in French. (Note: We all speak all three languages too).
Here's a glimpse at how that works, with special guests Otis and Astrid. Hope you find it as fascinating as I do!
This episode is brought to you by the members, who get the new 2026 PDF guide to Paris for free. For everyeone else, you can support this show by buying the guide here: https://theearfultower.com/product/guide-book/
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
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Music: Pres Maxson (his take on Douce France, by Charles Trenet)
Mon, 30 Mar 2026 - 16min - 488 - Paris got a new mayor: But who is he? (And what will be Anne Hidalgo's legacy?)
Paris has a new mayor! That's right, after 12 years at the helm, Anne Hidalgo has stepped down. Parisians voted for a new mayor, and taking her place will be Emmanuel Grégoire.
But who is Emmanuel Grégoire? What does a Paris mayor actually do? And what will be the legacy of Anne Hidalgo?
This week's guest is Paris-based reporter Katy Lee, the co-host of the podcast The Europeans, and the woman behind the Millefeuille Substack page, which she calls the "newsletter for Parisians who are bad at local news".
Follow Katy to find out more:
The Millefeuille newsletter The Europeans***********
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
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Music: Pres Maxson (his take on Sous le ciel de Paris, by Edith Piaf)
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 - 31min - 487 - We just bought a house in Provence
We bought a house in the charming Provence town of l'Isle sur la Sorgue! That's right: the Pearl of Provence, the Venice of the South, the same place we recorded the Christmas episode last year. And while we'll still live in Paris and do business as usual, this exciting news will surely add a new scent of lavender to everything we do.
So: Why did we buy this house? How? What next? Are we leaving Paris? (no). We answer all these questions and more in this week's episode.
I'll share pics and videos along the way, be sure you're following our social media channels.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music: Pres Maxson (his take on Douce France, by Charles Trenet)
Mon, 23 Feb 2026 - 23min - 486 - A guide to the French tradition of the apéro
Almost like a sacred ritual in France, the apéro is much more than just a drink with friends.
Véronique Savoye from France With Véro explains more.
And be sure your membership is up to date to see Vero and I answer your questions about Paris in mid March 2026.
This is an episode from The Earful Tower archives.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music by Pres Maxson.
Mon, 16 Feb 2026 - 26min - 485 - How to spend a magical and bohemian evening in Montmartre
I took my wife on a bohemian date in Montmartre - we called this episode "Bohemia on wheels". Join us as we take you through Montmartre in a 2CV with three nostalgic and bohemian stops along the way. Earful members can get 15 percent off your own unforgettable 2CV experience in Paris.
The experience: 2 CV with Cedric's Paris
Website: https://cedricsparis.com/en/home/
This episode was recently released as a member's only episode. You can unlock the other ten episodes from the season on Patreon or Substack.
Membership takes only a minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music by Pres Maxson.
Mon, 09 Feb 2026 - 31min - 484 - Checking in from Paris: Sophie, schools, and one wild launch
Last week we introduced you to Sophie, the newest character in our world of children's books.
Today, we're checking in - with a huge thank you - halfway through the Kickstarter campaign.
As you may have seen, we hit the target in 15 minutes. Now, as the campaign continues, we're donating books to local schools, hosting Online Salons, and giving you two last chances to be in the book... if you're quick.
The project will end on Friday February 6th. You can get your own copy here.
Thanks to all who've contributed so far - merci mille fois.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music by Pres Maxson.
Mon, 02 Feb 2026 - 14min - 483 - Sophie in Paris: Our new children's book is ready
Here she is: Sophie in Paris.
Meet Sophie, the newest character in our world of children's books.
She's a clever little girl who lives in a tiny attic by the Eiffel Tower. And when a problem appears on the tower itself, Sophie takes it upon herself to save the day.
Sophie is a brave, curious, capable girl who reminds us that even the biggest problems can be solved by one person with the courage to try.
And in this episode of the podcast, Lina and I describe how we made the book, how you can get it, and how (if you're quick), you can get your name on the Eiffel Tower.
The project will launch on Kickstart on Jan 30. You can follow the pre-launch page here and be the first in line.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music by Pres Maxson.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 - 26min - 482 - I climbed Notre Dame in Paris: Join me for the full experience
I did it! I climbed the south tower of the Notre Dame cathedral and it was every bit as wonderful as I had dreamed.
I brought the microphone up there with me, join me for the full experience.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Music by Pres Maxson.
Mon, 19 Jan 2026 - 15min - 481 - Six small museums we truly love in Paris
A personal guide from us - smaller, quieter museums we genuinely love, chosen for their intimacy and character rather than hype. None of these are in the top 15 most-visited museums in Paris.
PS: The music from this episode is an original from Pres Maxson called Guimard's Abbesses.
Here's the list of museums mentioned in the episode. For the full list with addresses, details, websites, etc, check out my website and Substack.
1. Musée Rodin 2. Musée des Archives Nationales 3. Maison de Balzac 4. Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature 5. Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris (currently closed) 6. Musée Nissim de Camondo (currently closed) Future Bonus: Musée Hector Guimard (opening 2027ish)***********
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 - 16min - 480 - Paris Bucket List: Things to do in 2026
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.
Why not write your own list and join us?
The full list will be on our official website and Substack shortly.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 05 Jan 2026 - 26min - 479 - The top episodes, guests, and moments for The Earful Tower in 2025
Let's take a look back at 2025. Here's a good episode for the fans who might be curious to know what was the most popular, and for new listeners to get a good idea of where to start.
Thanks to all for listening, watching, and reading in 2025.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Wed, 31 Dec 2025 - 25min - 478 - What do the French eat for Christmas?
For the first time ever, I'm in France for Christmas. Specifically, I'm in the charming Provence town of l'Isle sur la Sorgue. But what do the French eat on the big day? I have no idea.
I walked around this beautiful town, the Pearl of Provence, the Venice of the South, and I asked the locals.
You'll hear from Nathalie at Maison Moga and Aluna from Maison Jouvaud, both excellent stop-offs if you're looking for local food treats.
I'll share pics and videos along the way, be sure you're following our social media channels!
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 22 Dec 2025 - 32min - 477 - How Paris-based TV shows are reshaping the France fascination
Have you seen Lupin? Or Emily in Paris? What about The Bureau? Or Call My Agent? Maybe you've seen all four of them, perhaps more.
It's undeniable, French TV (and even movies) are having their moment right now, and in the post-Olympic Paris glow, people are even more fascinated with France. Let's talk about it with an expert, Lucille Béfort, who runs the French Vibes Club.
Her very popular Instagram account breaks down French culture and the "art de vivre" in France (as in: the art of living well).
As a French woman raised in the American university system, she has a pretty firm finger on the pulse of both cultures. And she is especially interested in how French culture, including the likes of these TV shows, is affecting people's perception of Paris in a whole new way. Is it escapism? Digital media redefining cultural diplomacy? Or something different entirely?
Let's find out. And a reminder: This chat was streamed live on YouTube for Earful Tower members, and included a Q&A with Lucille after. Watch the replay and get future invites by becoming an Earful member.
More from Lucille Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frenchvibesclub Website: https://frenchvibesclub.com/
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 15 Dec 2025 - 32min - 476 - Music and Paris with The Earful maestro Pres Maxson
This week it's The Earful Tower's musician Pres Maxson. We talk about his new novel, how he came to work on The Earful Tower, and French music in general.
This chat was streamed live for Earful Tower members, join the crowd and meet cool people in Paris (Membership takes only a minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack.
As for Pres, find his new book, Chinatown Troubadour: https://www.amazon.fr/Chinatown-Troubadour-Story-Pres-Maxson/dp/B0DY7Y8Z4Q
Find Pres on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/presmaxson/?hl=en Find Pres on Substack: https://presmaxson.substack.com/ The story of Pres Maxson's first record in ten years, produced by The Earful Tower: https://presmaxson.substack.com/p/my-first-record-in-10-years
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 08 Dec 2025 - 32min - 475 - How to make the most of your EVENINGS in Paris
Paris by night. So many possibilities. Sure, it's easy to create magical memories with a stroll along the Seine or a cobblestoned Marais street.
But there are also more than 5,000 restaurants, over 2,000 bars, and hundreds of shows every night.
So where to begin?
If you've only got a few nights in the city, you simply can't afford to get it wrong.
We talk you through how to do it best. We also are excited to announce the launch of our new PDF guide to Evenings Out in Paris, which you can buy on this link for 14.99 euros.
The music in this episode is Pres Maxson's take on Nuit d'Hiver.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 01 Dec 2025 - 27min - 474 - Theatre in Paris: The thrills of being on stage in the City of Light
Let's talk theatre.
This week on the show is Irish actor/playwright Hannah Coyle (who is also one of the Earful Tower tour guides!)
Hannah talks about the theatre scene in Paris, especially the English-language scene,
She also talks about Alchemy Theatre's forthcoming production of Three Sisters, which she personally reimagined from Chekhov's classic play. It runs at Théâtre de l'Opprimé (78 Rue du Charolais, 75012 Paris) from 9–14 December.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For the past 92 months and counting it has cost just $10 a month to 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 24 Nov 2025 - 33min - 473 - The best books about Paris... according to a beloved bookseller in Paris
Meet Penelope Fletcher, who runs two Paris bookshops, side by side near the Luxembourg Gardens.
The shops: The Red Wheelbarrow and The Red Balloon
The Red Balloon is just for children's books, and is almost certainly the most likely of all shops in Paris to have all our own children's books.
Addresses: 9-11 Rue de Médicis, 75006.
This episode is from The Earful Tower podcast archives.
Here are all the books that Penelope mentioned, in order:
Books for adults
Stories from the Magic Canoe of Wa'xaid, by Cecil Paul.
A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway.
Selected Letters, by Madame De Sevigne.
The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, by Gertrude Stein.
The Flight Portfolio, by Julie Orringer.
Almost French, by Sarah Turnbull.
Circe, by Madeline Miller.
Walking on the Ceiling, by Aysegül Savas.
Demystifying the French, by Janet Hulstrand.
Books for children
Paris Chien, Adventures of an Expat Dog, by Jackie Clark.
Marielle in Paris, by Maxine Schur.
I'm sure you can find these and more at The Red Wheelbarrow. Check out the site here.
Music in the episode was from Pres Maxson, his take on the classic Charles Aznavour song Hier encore.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For the past 92 months and counting it has cost just $10 a month to 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Tue, 18 Nov 2025 - 32min - 472 - This man turned one Paris street into a food and drink hub
Meet Loïc Estimbre, a Parisian entrepreneur who is behind four different eateries on just one street in the 12th arrondissement. That street: rue Emilio Castelar. In this podcast episode, we talk food in Paris, the 12th district in general, and the challenges of funding four separate spots. As for Loic, I met him when he was behind the counter at the Magic Carpet cafe and was surprised to see him literally building a new eatery down the road. Imagine my surprise to learn that he leading a team that was behind half the places on this little street. His spots:
The restaurant: Le Singe à Paris The café: Magic Carpet For beer and whisky: Chinaski The sandwich spot: Johnny DwichThe music in this episode is from Pres Maxson.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For the past 92 months and counting it has cost just $10 a month to 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 03 Nov 2025 - 34min - 471 - Paris's specialty coffee boom: Can it last?
This week on the show it's Guy Griffin, the owner of Cafe Mericourt in the 11th arrondissement. He talks about the current explosion of speciality coffee shops across Paris and whether it is sustainable. He also takes us behind the beans... er, scenes... about the change in tipping culture, the challenges of being an entrepreneur in France, and the cost of hiring people in France compared to the US or Australia. As for you - why not go in for lunch as a savvy diner. Look at his ever-changing menu here.
Address: 22 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 75011 Paris Find Cafe Mericourt on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/cafemericourt/ Explore the website here: https://www.cafemericourt.com/menuThe music in this episode is from Pres Maxson.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For the past 92 months and counting it has cost just $10 a month to 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 27 Oct 2025 - 42min - 470 - Louvre robbery: We were inside the Apollo Gallery for the break-in
This week on The Earful Tower podcast it's Jake and Holly Barker, two American tourists who were actually inside the Louvre's Apollo Gallery when it was broken into on Sunday. I met them in the Marais to record their dramatic story. "When we heard the saws, we both knew that something serious had happened." It's reported that nine items from the crown jewel collection were taken from the Louvre. Also featured in this episode was Amber Minogue, our Louvre tour guide. Please get in touch to book a tour with her. The music in this episode was from Pres Maxson, rather fittingly his take on Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters".
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For the past 92 months and counting it has cost just $10 a month to 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 20 Oct 2025 - 20min - 469 - Interior design: How to add Paris flair to your home
This week on the show it's Cléophée Poli - aka Cléo - a Parisienne interior designer. She talks about typical Paris apartments and what she likes about them, how you can make your home more Parisian, and the small touches to improve the feeling of any home. And of course, we talk about a lot more. Follow her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/cleointeriordesign/ Explore her website here: https://www.cleointeriordesign.com
The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 13 Oct 2025 - 33min - 468 - We're making a new children's book: Here's how we do it
We're making our fifth children's book, and it's the most Parisian one yet. In fact, there are some major changes to this one, so we decided to open the curtain and show you how we do them. Lina talks about her illustrating process and I talk about how I wrote this one - and why I changed the whole style. You can find our other four children's books in all the Anglophone bookshops of Paris, but also in le Peloton cafe, the Ile Aux Fees boutique, the Bon Marché department store, and Messy Nessy's cabinet of curiosities. Also the Louvre museum and the musée d'Orsay.
The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson, an original called Walk a Giraffe.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 29 Sep 2025 - 25min - 467 - Bistros to boulevards: How Paris was shaped by its World Fairs
Meet Charles Pappas - Mr World Fair. Charles likes nothing more in the world than a Universal Exhibition, especially if it's one of the seven that were hosted in Paris. In fact, he's written the book on the topic.
I met him on a road-side terrace at Harvest cafe in the 11th arrondissement to talk Paris, Haussmann, coffee, and of course, World Fairs.
His new book is: Nobody Sits Like the French: Exploring Paris Through Its World Expos, a historical guidebook on how these World Expos, held between 1855-1937, transformed the city of Paris forever.The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 22 Sep 2025 - 33min - 466 - My love letter to the Parisian food markets
After an eventful visit to the Aligre markets in the 12th arrondissement, I came home to share my love of the French food markets with my wife Lina.
Here's an energetic, honest, and in-the-moment recount of what happened when I went shopping for dinner ingredients.
The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson, his take on the classic Sous le ciel de Paris.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 15 Sep 2025 - 20min - 465 - Meet the woman behind the top cooking classes in Paris
Meet Jane Bertch, a Chicagoan who has called Paris home since 2005. She started her life here as a banker, but made the unusual pivot to running a cooking class (which is now the hugely popular La Cuisine Paris). And now, she has written a memoir about it all: The French Ingredient.
She joined me in the studio to talk about the book, how to make a croissant, and even how to make a croissant class (plus a whole lot more).
Follow La Cuisine on Instagram and follow Jane herself here.
Book a cooking class at La Cuisine in ParisAnd follow the La Cuisine newsletter
And of course, find the book: The French Ingredient
The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson, his take on the classic Sous le ciel de Paris.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Tue, 02 Sep 2025 - 30min - 464 - New Paris museum to open in iconic setting
This summer, the city of Paris announced plans to open a museum to showcase the work of architect Hector Guimard. He is the man behind the iconic Paris Metro entrances, several Art Nouveau buildings in Paris, and some very beautiful furniture and decorations in museum displays around the world.
And better still: The museum will be housed in one of the very few buildings remaining in Paris that Guimard designed himself (The Hotel Mezzara in the 16th arrondissement).
I've been a fan of Guimard and Art Nouveau for years, so let's take a deeper dive into the topic in general, with the help of this 2023 episode.
What is Art Nouveau? Who was Guimard, really, and why was his work so important? Where can you find it in Paris? And what's his legacy?
All those questions are answered in this episode, with help from tour guide Boris Petrovic from Paris in Person (find his Art Nouveau tour here) and from Paris head auctioneer Christophe Lucien.
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.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 25 Aug 2025 - 26min - 463 - I swam in the Seine: Here's what happened
I jumped in the Seine river - an activity that's legal again for the first time in 100 years. Here's what happened.
Want to do it too? You have until August 31st, here's more info (in English). Music: Sunset on the Seine, an original by Pres Maxson.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 18 Aug 2025 - 16min - 462 - So THIS is the most popular street in Paris (Part Two)
So what is the best-known street in Paris? And if that seems obvious, then what's number two? And three?
After last week's pod with Parisians Abiola and Margaux sharing their take on popular Paris streets, we surveyed our audience for an official answer.
Here it is, presented by Oliver and Lina. Thanks to all who participated. Read some more of the comments here on Substack.
Fitting music this week, again, is from Pres Maxson.
Thanks
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 11 Aug 2025 - 27min - 461 - Which is the most popular street in Paris? (Part One)
Before you listen too far, make a mental note of what you think are the three most popular streets in Paris.
Then listen to two typical Parisians as they take on this unusual question.
Of course, most people would agree on number one... but where do we go from there. Fitting music this week is from Pres Maxson. Thanks to Abiola and Margaux for their voices.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 04 Aug 2025 - 18min - 460 - In charge of an icon: A chat with the Eiffel Tower's director
This week we scale the Eiffel Tower with its managing director Patrick Branco-Ruivo.
What are his tips for visiting? His favourite view? And what would he ask if he had Gustave Eiffel himself on the telephone?
Join us on this exciting opportunity to explore one of the world's most iconic landmarks with the maestro behind it all. And hang around - we'll get some exclusive access to the underground section at the end.
Videos:
10-minute video on YouTube here 45-minute video on this linkhttps://www.youtube.com/c/TheEarfulTower
Music by Pres Maxson.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 - 49min - 459 - After 10 years in Paris, we finally got SCAMMED
I'm not proud to say it, but we got scammed pretty hard. Here's the full story.
Mentioned at the end of the episode: Our walking tours of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/tours
Music by Pres Maxson.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 07 Jul 2025 - 20min - 458 - Flea markets, football, and the Louvre: The Earful interns are back!
This week on the podcast, it's The Earful's two interns Thomas Farnham and Genevieve Victoria Gorain. And it's time to hear how they went with their bucket lists after their two-month internship is over.
Here's the post with all ten ideas they mentioned in the episode.
Also mentioned in this episode:
The Earful Everywhere podcast (currently in Italy): https://theearfultower.substack.com/p/its-here-the-official-launch-of-the Our walking tours of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/toursMusic by Pres Maxson.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 23 Jun 2025 - 30min - 457 - Behind the Scenes of Paris with the Queen of Tourism
Meet Corinne Menegaux, the managing director of the Paris tourism board (Paris je t'aime).
We discuss Paris, the legacy of the Olympic Games, and what's coming next. We also talk about her Paris, her job, and how she'd spend her last day in this city.
Find more about Paris je t'aime here: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/
Also mentioned in this episode:
The Earful Everywhere podcast (currently in Italy): https://theearfultower.com/2025/05/15/lets-explore-italy-with-the-earful-everywhere/ Our walking tours of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/toursMusic by Pres Maxson.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 16 Jun 2025 - 35min - 456 - The time a Parisian supermodel changed this whole show
This week it's Caroline de Maigret, supermodel and author of How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are.
Her appearance on this podcast in April 2019 changed the direction and dynamic of the show. While we're between seasons, I take a look back at this episode and explain why it made a difference to The Earful Tower.
In the episode, Caroline talks about being a Parisian woman, the freedom of Paris, and how pleasure is a key element of life in the French capital.
If you want to find more from Caroline, check out her Instagram page here.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its Patreon and Substack 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 minute to set up, on Patreon or on Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 02 Jun 2025 - 32min - 455 - Writing Paris mystery books with Cara Black
Author Cara Black is back on the podcast!
She is a friend of the show, and has been appearing on it since 2019!
We chat about writing mysteries set in Paris (she has penned over 20 of them), we talk about her upcoming book (which you can pre-order below), and we talk about Paris, of course.
Helpful links for Cara:
Cara Black's official site: https://carablack.com/ Cara Black's Susbtack: https://carablack.substack.com/ Preorder her book Huguette here: https://www.amazon.fr/Huguette-Cara-Black/dp/1641294493Also mentioned in this episode:
The Earful Everywhere podcast (currently in Italy): https://theearfultower.com/2025/05/15/lets-explore-italy-with-the-earful-everywhere/ Our walking tours of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/toursMusic by Pres Maxson.
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The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 19 May 2025 - 33min - 454 - Ten top ideas for college kids in Paris
This week on the podcast, it's The Earful's two new interns Thomas Farnham and Genevieve Victoria Gorain. They share their bucket lists for Paris for their two-month stay in Paris.
I found it quite interesting to hear the perspectives of American university students on the City of Light, not least because my typical guests are a bit older.
We'll check back in on them in a couple months to see how they fared.
Here's the post with all ten ideas they mentioned in the episode.
Also mentioned in this episode:
The Earful Everywhere podcast (currently in Italy): https://theearfultower.substack.com/p/its-here-the-official-launch-of-the Our walking tours of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/toursMusic by Pres Maxson.
***********
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 12 May 2025 - 27min - 453 - My three-year-old on learning 3 languages at once
This week on the podcast, I invite my three-year-old son Otis to talk about language. He has been doing a stellar job learning English, French, and Swedish at the same time, and I was curious to pick his brain about it.
You'll hear him tell me how I'm no good at rolling my Rs in French, why he speaks Swedish with his mother, and what he thought about Italy. Well... I mean... he's three years old, so he doesn't really get too deep into anything, but it's still a fascinating conversation for anyone interested in language, the human brain, and international life for families with young children.
This episode is a follow-up to an episode from over a year ago in Season 15, Episode 9 called "How we're raising a trilingual child in Paris". That was my wife Lina and I discussing the same topic. But now it was Otis's chance to take the mic for the first time.
Also mentioned in this episode:
The Earful Everywhere podcast (currently in Italy): https://theearfultower.substack.com/p/its-here-the-official-launch-of-the Our walking tours of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/toursMusic by Pres Maxson, his take on Douce France.
***********
The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its 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 minute to set up on Patreon, or Substack. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 05 May 2025 - 16min - 452 - A very deep dive into Notre Dame
Let's go deep on the Notre Dame cathedral.
Our guest: Boris Petrovic, who has just published a series of historical essays on Notre Dame.
His books are a series of seven, which you can buy one by one or in a heavyweight tome, all the information is here.
You can also book Boris for a walking tour of Notre Dame here.
Enjoying what we're doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member here or a Substack member here to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
Music: Pres Maxson.
Mon, 14 Apr 2025 - 29min - 451 - How to plan a trip to Paris: tips for seeing "The Big Five"
For this season finale, we're on a private boat on the Seine River with Marie and Bertrand from My Private Paris.
They explain how best to plan a visit to the big five, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Musee d'Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, and the Seine.
My Private Paris is a local deluxe agency, crafting itineraries for tours in Paris and beyond. See what they offer here. They've been the sponsor for this podcast all season!
Enjoying what we're doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member here to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
Music: Pres Maxson.
Mon, 31 Mar 2025 - 29min - 450 - Five exciting things for The Earful Tower right now
We're nearing the end of this podcast season, so here is a look behind the curtain at five exciting things that have happened... and that are about to happen.
This whole season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by My Private Paris, which is an award-winning travel company creating deluxe itineraries for Paris and beyond. See what they offer here and be sure to let them know that you came from The Earful Tower.
Enjoying what we're doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member here to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
Mon, 24 Mar 2025 - 22min - 449 - Made in Paris: Some great workshops in the city of light
This week we talk about fun workshops in Paris that we've done recently, specifically stone carving and hat making. The guest: Lina Nordin Gee.
The details: Stonemasonry classes are with last week's guest Grégory Philippe in his atelier in the Marais. If you want to find his studio and book one of his stone-carving sessions, you can find it online here (Address: 12 Rue du Prévôt, 75004).
For the hatmaking, seek out MiniMe Land (Address: 25 R. de Turbigo, 75002 Paris)
At the end of the episode, Marie Segura from My Private Paris is in the studio discussing how best to visit Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise, once home to Monet and Van Gogh, respectively.
In fact, this whole season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by My Private Paris, which is an award-winning travel company creating deluxe itineraries for Paris and beyond. See what they offer here and be sure to let them know that you came from The Earful Tower.
Enjoying what we're doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member here to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
Mon, 17 Mar 2025 - 26min - 448 - Carving Paris: How limestone built this city
This week we chat to stonemason Grégory Philippe in his atelier in the Marais. He reveals the world of limestone, the most important stone in the city.
If you want to find his studio and book one of his stone-carving sessions, you can find it in the heart of the Marais or online here (Address: 12 Rue du Prévôt, 75004).
At the end of the episode, Marie Segura from My Private Paris is in the studio discussing how best to visit her favourite Paris flea market, the Saint Ouen.
In fact, this whole season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by My Private Paris, which is an award-winning travel company creating deluxe itineraries for Paris and beyond. See what they offer here and be sure to let them know that you came from The Earful Tower.
Enjoying what we're doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member here to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
Mon, 10 Mar 2025 - 26min - 447 - Père Lachaise: The most visited cemetery in the world
Let's take a closer look at the Père Lachaise cemetery of Paris, the most visited necropolis on earth.
All kinds of famous and interesting people are buried here including Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde… and about a million more. Some 3.5 million people check it out annually.
In this episode you'll hear from author Joe Start, who wrote a book on Père Lachaise called The Chairfather - a literal translation of the cemetery's French name. This part of the episode is taken from the Earful archives.
Joe visited the tombstones countless times to research the book and interview the dead, and today on The Earful Tower he shares his tips on which graves to find, what to avoid, and how not to act if you're a tourist there.
And if you like what you hear, you can find the Chairfather book here or on ebook here.
At the end of the episode, Marie Segura from My Private Paris talks more about the cemetery.
In fact, this whole season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by My Private Paris, which is an award-winning travel company creating deluxe itineraries for Paris and beyond. See what they offer here and be sure to let them know that you came from The Earful Tower.
Enjoying what we're doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member here to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
Mon, 03 Mar 2025 - 30min - 446 - French Frustrations: The pitfalls of being outsiders in Paris
After ten years in Paris, my wife Lina and I couldn't be happier. We have two little Parisian children, we have a small business, and we pinch ourselves to call Paris home.
BUT... we are also square pegs in rounds holes. Being a Swede and an Australian with a podcast company, while speaking questionable French, raises eyebrows.
Here are a handful of things that have become frustrating for us as a result, so you can hopefully use it as a warning if you're thinking to do the same, or perhaps as a cultural insight into the French mentality.
Featured: Language blunders, tips on where to focus your own language learning, how paper is on a pedestal, and being conflict averse in a "convince me" country.
A fun extra the end of the episode, Marie Segura from My Private Paris tells us about a touring the Musée d'Orsay when it's not open to the public.
In fact, this whole season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by My Private Paris, which is an award-winning travel company creating deluxe itineraries for Paris and beyond. See what they offer here and be sure to let them know that you came from The Earful Tower.
Enjoying what we're doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member here to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
Mon, 24 Feb 2025 - 26min - 445 - Underrated or overrated? A Paris expert's top ten
Today we take a list of ten very popular things to do in Paris. And then Marie Segura, the co-founder of the My Private Paris tour agency, breaks them down into underrated or overrated. (And you can read it all here)
Hope this helps you to plan your next trip. Enjoy!
My Private Paris is a local deluxe agency, crafting itineraries for tours in Paris and beyond. See what they offer here.
Enjoying what we're doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member here to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
Music: Pres Maxson.
Mon, 17 Feb 2025 - 24min - 444 - A very deep dive into the Louvre museum
Let's visit the Louvre with author Elaine Sciolino. Today, we chat about her upcoming book Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World's Greatest Museum. The book pulls back the curtain on a building many think they know, but which still contains endless secrets and untold stories.
And if you think you recognise Elaine's name and voice, perhaps you heard her on the pod before! Elaine, the former Paris bureau chief for The New York Times, has featured The Earful Tower in the past discussing her books about the Seine River and the Rue des Martyrs. In fact, she was the second-ever guest on the show, back in 2017.
Elaine used her extensive experience as a reporter to influence how she wrote this book. She decided the best approach was to explain the Louvre museum "through the prism of someone who's not an art historian and who's not a tour guide. I decided to just report the Louvre and talk to everybody that I possibly could."
And, my goodness, the surprises Elaine uncovered will knock your socks off: spending the day with the museum's permanent on-site fire fighters, a secret World War Two bunker and long-forgotten graffiti inscribed by the builders of the Philippe Auguste wall.
For Louvre novices who are in danger of having an exhausting and frustrating experience trying to see and do everything, Elaine offers this advice "Find your Louvre identity, find what kind of a visitor you are… And once you decide that it makes it a lot easier, because you forgive yourself for not being perfect…You go each time with a different identity, like you go each time and discover a different work of art."
Elaine confesses that she wasn't always the biggest fan of the museum, "the Louvre is a challenge, it's too big…it's too crowded, it's an impossible museum. You have to find your way in. So that's what I tried to do." Having visited the building hundreds of times in the course of writing the book, I wondered if Elaine was all Louvre-d out or did she intend to go back? "Oh no, I have to go back. I have to keep going back."
Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World's Greatest Museumis released on 1 April 2025. You can pre-order it here.
A fun extra the end of the episode, Bertrand d'Aleman from My Private Paris tells us about a current exhibition at the museum: The Louvre Couture. This is an exploration of how the vast breadth of decorative art contained within the walls of the museum has informed the world of high fashion. The Louvre Couture exhibition runs from 24 January - 21 July. Book your tickets here.
Artwork mentioned in this episode: Mona Lisa (also known as La Joconde) by Leonardo da Vinci; Man with a glove by Titian, Portrait of a Man (also known as La Condottiere) by Antonello da Messina; The death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David. Thanks to Hannah Coyle for additional reporting.
Enjoying what we're doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member here to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by My Private Paris, an award-winning travel company creating deluxe itineraries for Paris and beyond. See what they offer here and be sure to let them know that you came from The Earful Tower.
Mon, 10 Feb 2025 - 36min - 443 - Stained-glass windows and France's gothic churches
It's time for a day of stained glass windows and gothic churches, featuring a visit to three key churches and cathedrals.
We begin this day trip with Chartres, a little town to the south west of Paris. Trusty tour guide Bertrand d'Aleman, from award-winning travel company My Private Paris, explains how we're in the midst of a gothic church (and stained glass window) revival.
We took the train to Chartres, then spent half a day exploring the cathedral and the town. Then we headed back to Paris for a skip-the-line look at Sainte Chapelle and lastly Notre Dame.
My Private Paris is a local deluxe agency, crafting itineraries for tours in Paris and beyond (including, of course, Champagne). See what they offer here. Here is their full-day trip to Chartres, though this particular excursion was unique to us.
Music: Pres Maxson.
Mon, 03 Feb 2025 - 33min - 442 - Demystifying opera in Paris with a soprano superstar
This week The Earful Tower is going to the opera. To prepare, I talked to superstar Australian soprano Siobhan Stagg, who is in Paris to perform in Orlando at the Théâtre du Châtelet.
She helped me to demystify the opera.
Find Siobhan Stagg on Instagram to follow her artistic adventures - and find her on Spotify here.
Want more from The Earful Tower? Become a Patreon member here to support it and to unlock extras.
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here. This week's fun bonus included a chat with Bertrand about his favourite Paris view.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here.
Mon, 27 Jan 2025 - 39min - 441 - Saying goodbye to the US ambassador to France
We filmed a "viral" video with the US ambassador to France, Denise Bauer, in her official residence in Paris.
This episode is a behind-the-scenes from the video, plus a general chat about what has been going on here at The Earful Tower.
Mentioned in this episode:
Our YouTube video The fascinating Pamela Harriman Lina's "Scoop du jour" column (read it on Patreon here, Substack here) Le Dali restaurant at Le MeuriceThis season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here. This week's fun bonus included a chat about a stunning church in central Paris that never has a queue out the front.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here.
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 - 30min - 440 - Ten things I've learnt from my 10 years in Paris
This week has been full of reflections as I celebrated my ten year anniversary of moving to Paris. Life has changed dramatically in those ten years and building the Earful Tower has been a major part of that.
Little did I know, all those years ago, how much I had to learn about this beautiful, complicated city. It felt only right to contemplate upon what I havelearnt over this decade and, to be completely honest, not all of it is totally positive. Acting as your "eyes and ears" in Paris has had its ups and down and now feels like the right time to share some of that on this week's podcast.
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here. This week's fun bonus included a chat about the most expensive street in Paris on the Monopoly board game.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here.
Mon, 13 Jan 2025 - 35min - 439 - Paris Bucket List: Things to do in 2025
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.
Why not write your own list and join us?
The full list is on our official website here.
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here.
Mon, 06 Jan 2025 - 27min - 438 - Should you visit Paris in the winter?
Short answer: yes. Paris is worth visiting in the winter months.
In this episode, Oliver and Lina explain why, based on their combined 22 winters in Paris.
Mentioned in this episode:
Ice Skating at the Grand Palais A chat with Chef Tony Xu from Shang Palace (see our video here) The Petit Palais museumAt the end you'll hear from Marie Segura from My Private Paris talking about the Phantom of the Opera and at the Palais Garnier, which is incidentally a lovely way to while away a winter day.
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here.
Mon, 30 Dec 2024 - 31min - 437 - Visiting the Vaux-le-Vicomte chateau
It's time for a day trip to Vaux-le-Vicomte!
This week, I'll show you how to visit the magnificent chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte with Bertrand d'Aleman from award-winning travel company My Private Paris.
We took a private van from Paris, then spent half a day exploring the chateau and its grounds. This was a family-friendly visit (two families on board!) but the episode is aimed at everyone and anyone.
My Private Paris is a local deluxe agency, crafting itineraries for tours in Paris and beyond (including, of course, Champagne). See what they offer here. Here is their full-day trip to Vaux le Vicomte plus Fontainebleau.
Music: Pres Maxson.
Mon, 23 Dec 2024 - 25min - 436 - Hidden Gems: 5 Underrated Museums in Paris
Paris is home to over 100 museums, from world-renowned art galleries to quirky, hidden gems. In this episode, we highlight 5 underrated museums you won't want to miss, each offering a unique glimpse into Parisian history and culture.
Discover the Bibliothèque Nationale Richelieu, where centuries of knowledge await. This historic library houses treasures like a rare Gutenberg Bible and an original manuscript of Les Misérables. Then, explore the newly renovated Musée Carnavalet, a free museum dedicated to the history of Paris, complete with a beautiful Art Nouveau shop and a charming courtyard café.
Next, step into the elegant Musée Jacquemart André, an aristocratic mansion on Boulevard Haussmann that showcases Italian art and a stunning fresco. For something truly unique, visit the Musée des Moulages, a museum of dermatological casts housed in one of Paris' oldest hospitals. Finally, don't miss Musée de Montmartre, where iconic artists like Renoir once worked, and the beautiful gardens are just as impressive as the exhibits.
This episode is brought to you by My Private Paris, the award-winning travel company offering private tours in Paris, day trips around France, and custom travel itineraries.
Become a member of The Earful Tower on Patreon or Substack for bonus content, early access, and invites to exclusive events. Members can read the full "Top 20" list of our tips for Best Museums in Paris, one for every arrondissement.
Mon, 16 Dec 2024 - 28min - 435 - Inside Notre Dame After the Fire: New Colours, New Light, and What's Changed
This Week on The Earful Tower: Notre Dame's Grand Reopening
In this special episode, we dive into Notre Dame's grand reopening after the fire that shook the world. I speak with Ariel Weil, the mayor of Paris' central arrondissements, about his firsthand experience inside the newly restored cathedral, and what's next for this iconic monument.
Then, for a visitor's perspective, I chat with Bertrand d'Aleman, co-founder of My Private Paris, about what tourists can expect when they visit Notre Dame in the coming year.
Both interviews were recorded just steps away from Notre Dame itself — and you can watch the video on YouTube!
This episode is brought to you by My Private Paris, the award-winning travel company offering private tours in Paris, day trips around France, and custom travel itineraries. Marie Segura, co-founder of My Private Paris, also shares insider tips about the Passage des Panoramas.
Become a member of The Earful Tower on Patreon or Substack for bonus content, early access, and invites to exclusive events.
Mon, 09 Dec 2024 - 15min - 434 - Gin in Paris: Inside a cool new distillery workshop
This week on the podcast we are chatting about gin with Charlotte Buisson Dackow from La Distillerie de l'Arbre Sec.
This cool, new micro-distillery is located on a quiet street, with a macabre history, mere steps from the Louvre museum in the 1st arrondissement. We visited their stunning workshop and listened as Charlotte explained the evolution of the gin culture in France.
Offering excellent quality gin, as well as tastings and workshops, it's clear that Charlotte and her colleagues take gin seriously. Of course, wine is the dominant beverage here, but, as Charlotte explains, things are changing.
"I think gin is taking over the world! Often French people are set in their ways, so we are a little behind everywhere else, but it's starting here in France. I think it's really exciting."
This craft-distillery is such an exciting addition to the Paris mixology scene, comfortably co-existing alongside the more traditional emblems. As Charlotte says "wine will always be there, but we're just making the drink culture richer." We couldn't agree more.
La Distillerie de l'Arbre Sec address: 52 Rue de l'Arbre Sec, 75001
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here. In this episode, the company's co-founder Marie Segura talks about the Passage des Panoramas.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here. Members already have their invite to our Christmas party at the distillery here.
Mon, 02 Dec 2024 - 27min - 433 - How to spend a full day in Versailles (besides the Palace)
It's time for a day trip to Versailles!
This week, I'll show you a great way to visit the town of Versailles with the help of Bertrand d'Aleman from award-winning travel company My Private Paris.
We took the train from Paris, then spent a day exploring the town, but never stepped foot inside the palace or the palace grounds.
My Private Paris is a local deluxe agency, crafting itineraries for tours in Paris and beyond (including, of course, Champagne). See what they offer here. Here is their full-day trip to Versailles.
Music: Pres Maxson.
Mon, 25 Nov 2024 - 35min - 432 - Top tips for visiting Paris with kids
This week, Lina and Oliver discuss how to entertain children in Paris.
Even if you're not visiting with kids, you'll find some good tips in this episode. As usual, everything is written in full, with links and more details, on the website here. Below is a short version.
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here.
1. Atelier des Lumières – an art gallery, housed in a large industrial space, where paintings by famous painters (such as Van Gogh, Chagall and Monet) are projected on the floor, walls and ceiling. It feels like you're inside the artworks.
2. Palais de Tokyo – an expansive art museum, near the Eiffel Tower, with plenty of space and lots of interesting exhibitions.
3. Aquarium – an aquarium in central Paris? It doesn't get much more fun that that.
4. Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature – a fun, adventurous museum which you might not initially consider, but there's a full-size stuffed polar bear. What more could you ask for?
5. Deyrolle – technically a shop, but you are welcome to visit. It's off the beaten path and stuffed full of fascinating creatures.
6. Natural History Museum – nothing short of stunning. An exceptional interior and captivating exhibits.
7. Zoo – across the park from the Natural History Museum, this is a compact zoo, which has been entertaining families for over 150 years.
8. Greenhouses – five tropical greenhouses with plants from across the world.
9. Maze – yes, you read that right, a mazein central Paris. Amazing.
10. Natural Science Museum – weird and wonderful. The displays will leave you spell-bound.
11. Bateaux Mouches – avoid walking too much and getting tired. The most thrilling and beautiful way to see the best of Paris.
12. Pony Riding – in Parc Monceau, Luxembourg Gardens and the Champ de Mars, which also offers go-karting.
13. Jardin d'Acclimatation – not a garden, but an amusement park. Fairground rides and rollercoasters galore.
14. Big Zoo – in the heart of the Bois de Vincennes. Exceptionally good, for a city zoo.
15. Ice skating at the Grand Palais – returning after a long closure. Is there a more beautiful place to ice skate in the world?
16. Ground Control – not especially central, but worth the commute. A huge abandoned train depot that houses diverse food stands, with interesting shops and games.
17. Comptoir Général – a roomy, buzzing canal-side club by night and restaurant by day. Keep your eyes peeled for the pirate ship.
18. Crèpes on the go – if in doubt, pick up a crèpe and go.
19. Pain d'Épices – a charming, independent toyshop in one of the most beautiful passages in Paris.
20. Red Wheelbarrow – three connected bookshops, next to the Luxembourg Gardens, including a shop for children's books only. You're sure to find our books there.
21. Le Bonmarché – an iconic, Left Bank department store which sells children's books, toys and clothes. What makes this place different is it offers a babysitting service.
Mon, 18 Nov 2024 - 28min - 431 - Five mistakes to avoid when visiting Paris
Here are the main mistakes to avoid if you're visiting Paris, according to this week's guest, writer and social media star Anna Kloots.
Anna has lived in Paris for five years - and I've been here for 10 - so this list is based on 15 years of Paris experience.
Watch the YouTube version of this chat, filmed on the streets of Paris, right here.
For more from Anna, find her on Instagram here and Substack here.
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here.
Mon, 11 Nov 2024 - 31min - 430 - Ten things (besides bread) that the French call a 'baguette'
What's a baguette? A long loaf of bread, surely. WRONG! A baguette can be one of 15 different things. Here's how I found out - and a few baguette-related language facts to impress your French friends.
Featuring, ever-so-briefly, the voice of Véronique from France with Véro. And here's the full French dictionary listing for 'baguette'.
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here.
Mon, 04 Nov 2024 - 07min - 429 - Six golden rules for visiting Provence
Here are our six golden rules for visiting Provence, based on over a decade of visiting the region.
In fact, we just got back to Paris after another visit to the sun-soaked region and now it's time to share what we've learned.
In this episode, you'll hear Lina and I walking in a quiet and beautiful part of Paris, while discussing Provence. You can watch the video on our YouTube channel.
After our chat, Marie Segura from My Private Paris talks about the upcoming reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here.
Mon, 28 Oct 2024 - 29min - 428 - Five golden rules for moving to Paris
Meet Céline Flores-Tavukcuoglu. She is a Texan in Paris who runs Céline Concierge, a private concierge service that specializes in Paris.
She shares her five golden rules for if you're thinking to move to Paris (or indeed, France). And even if you're not thinking to make the move, this conversation will shine a light on life in the French capital.
Follow Celine on YouTube here and explore her website here.
After Celine, Marie Segura from My Private Paris talks about the upcoming closure of the Pompidou Center.
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here.
Mon, 21 Oct 2024 - 33min - 427 - How to spend a day in Champagne
It's time for a day trip to the Champagne region!
This week, I'll show you a great way to visit the Champagne region with the help of Bertrand d'Aleman from award-winning travel company My Private Paris.
We took the train to Reims, then hired a car to get to the Pommery house, followed by smaller Pierre Paillard house, which has been in the same family for eight generations.
My Private Paris is a local deluxe agency, crafting itineraries for tours in Paris and beyond (including, of course, Champagne). See what they offer here.
Music: Pres Maxson.
Become an Earful Tower Patreon member to unlock the replay of the live stream we filmed at Pierre Paillard.
Mon, 14 Oct 2024 - 31min - 426 - Paris if you're a top private chef
Meet Romu Oudeyer, a top private chef in Paris. We talk about cooking for celebrities in Paris, France's relationship with food, and how to find good restaurants in Paris.
Follow him on Instagram here and explore his website here. To read the full menu from the home-cooked lunch we discussed, click here.
This season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by the award-winning travel company My Private Paris, which specializes in tours in Paris, day trips outside Paris, and travel itineraries. See what they offer here.
Get more from The Earful Tower by becoming a Patreon member, or a Substack member, or exploring the official site here.
Mon, 07 Oct 2024 - 32min - 425 - The most 'fitting' thing to see in each Paris arrondissement
What's the most "fitting" thing to find in each of the 20 Paris districts? Something – a bar, a cafe, a street, a park… something that's representative of its neighbourhood?
For example… the eighth arrondissement is something of a business district that's affluent and beautiful. What site matches that energy? (Spoiler alert: a private art museum).
We posed the challenge to Bertrand d'Aleman from award-winning travel company My Private Paris. Here's what he suggested.
My Private Paris is a local deluxe agency, crafting Paris itineraries. See what they offer here.
Mon, 30 Sep 2024 - 39min - 424 - Paris if you like getting into private buildings
This week I finally got into the Hotel de Beauvais, the 400-year-old aristocratic mansion in the Marais. Here's how I did it, and how you can too!
Address: 68 Rue François Miron, 75004 Paris
More info on the Heritage Days: https://journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr/en/
Become a member! For $10 a month you can join the other Patreon members and 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 minute to set up. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 23 Sep 2024 - 20min - 423 - Paris if you need the perfect one-day itinerary
A mysterious email from Will asked for the ideal itinerary for a 12-hour layover in Paris.
Hosts Oliver and Lina went head-to-head suggesting their own versions of the perfect one-day plan.
But who is Will? Could he really be a Wall Street hound with expensive taste? Or a med student who prefers cheap lunches and riding bikes?
We have no idea - but we tried to help!
Find Oliver's economical itinerary here.
Find Lina's luxury itinerary here.
This episode was released early to The Earful Tower's Patreon members, who voted on their favourite itinerary and who chose the winning plan.
For $10 a month you can join them and 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 minute to set up. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 16 Sep 2024 - 34min - 422 - Paris if you want to see it like a local
This week on the podcast it's author Scott Carpenter, whose new book is called Paris Lost and Found.
To kick off this "Paris if..." season of the show, he shares his thoughts on how to "roll with it" and see Paris like a local.
You can find him on Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/frenchlikemoi) and find his book in all good bookshops and online. More from Scott on his website here.
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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 minute to set up. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 09 Sep 2024 - 32min - 421 - My final thoughts on the Paris Olympic Games
Here are my final thoughts on the Paris Olympic Games. In this episode, it's just me, your host Oliver Gee, sharing a few pros and cons of the Olympics.
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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 minute to set up. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 12 Aug 2024 - 22min - 420 - Paris museums (by the people who wrote the book on the topic)
Meet Anne Carminati and James Wesolowski, the authors of 111 Museums in Paris You Shouldn't Miss.
We chat about the museum scene in Paris, the pros and cons of large and small museums, and a few good ones to find.
Their official website: https://www.111places.com/111-museums-in-paris
*******
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 minute to set up. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 05 Aug 2024 - 33min - 419 - Teaching French and French culture to millions: AT Frenchies
Meet Alexandre Durand and Tom Carles - also known as Alex and Tom - but better known as AT Frenchies, a social media duo that has captivated millions with their take on France and the French language.
Their official website: https://www.atfrenchies.com/
Here's the specific clip they were talking about at the end of the episode, via TikTok.
*******
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 minute to set up. Thank you for keeping this channel independent.
For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
Mon, 29 Jul 2024 - 39min
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