Eugène Delacroix: The Painter Critics Loved to Hate, Episode 606
He painted Liberty Leading the People, yet critics tore Eugène Delacroix apart for decades. Elyse Rivin and I trace his life: the family debts, the brutal Salon reviews, the seven months in Morocco that changed his art, and where to see his work in Paris, from the Louvre to Saint-Sulpice.
Alexandre Dumas: Adventure, Scandal, and 100,000 Pages, Episode 604
Alexandre Dumas wrote over 100 novels, 100 plays, and an estimated 100,000 pages — all while running through fortunes, mistresses, and at least one Italian revolution. His grandmother was a slave. His father was France's first non-white general. The man lived like one of his own characters. Come find out how.
Puy du Fou, Arles Bullfighting, and Getting Pickpocketed in Paris, Episode 603
Cas McIntyre has visited France seven times and speaks French well enough to land in real trouble, and real fun. She joins Annie to talk about Puy du Fou, the Cocarde d'Or bullfighting festival in Arles, and getting pickpocketed in Paris. Real stories, with useful tips for your own trip.
Who Was Coco Chanel Really? Her Life Story, Unvarnished, Episode 600
Born poor in rural France, Coco Chanel rewrote both fashion history and her own biography. Episode 600 tells her real story — the brilliant parts, the ugly parts, and everything in between.
Joan of Arc: The Real Woman Behind 20,000 Statues, Episode 598
She was never a shepherdess. She broke an arranged engagement at 13, convinced noblemen to take her to the French king, and led an army at 16. Joan of Arc died at 19, burned at the stake for wearing men's clothes. Listen to learn about the real woman behind the legend.
Road Tripping in Northern France: From Flander's Fields to Agincourt, Episode 597
Most visitors skip northern France entirely. Craig Anderson didn't, and he found WWII beaches, medieval battlefields, excellent seafood, and almost no American tourists. From Dunkirk to the Agincourt site, this region rewards curious travelers — and a rental car at 30 euros a day makes it surprisingly easy to explore.
Viollet-le-Duc: The Self-Taught Architect Who Shaped France's Medieval Landmarks, Episode 596
Eugène Viollet-le-Duc never had an architecture degree, but he restored Notre-Dame, Carcassonne, and dozens of France's most visited medieval monuments — and reinvented most of them along the way. We look at what he actually added, the one project that got completely torn down a century later, and the quiet, controversial end to a very loud career.
The Guédelon Project: A Modern Take on Medieval Construction, Episode 588
Step back in time with Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin as they explore the Guédelon Project, where a medieval castle is being built using only 13th-century techniques. Discover the history, challenges, and educational aspects of this unique project. Listen now to learn more about this fascinating journey into the past.
Louise Michel: The Fearless Revolutionary of the Paris Commune, Episode 584
Paris, 1871: A starving city, a fallen government, and a revolution led by a fearless schoolteacher-turned-anarchist. Join Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin as they uncover the fiery life of Louise Michel—from barricades to exile—and the Paris Commune’s explosive legacy. History like you’ve never heard it!
Charles de Gaulle: The Man Who Saved France and Shaped Modern Europe, Episode 576
Charles de Gaulle: The Man Who Defied Defeat – Join Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin as they unpack the fiery life of France’s most iconic leader. From WWII resistance to reshaping modern France, his story is one of stubborn vision and unshakable patriotism. Plus: What’s changing for New Year’s Eve in Paris 2025? Listen now to explore history—and plan your next trip!