Five more awesome things to find in Provence
The Earful Tower: Paris
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 lavendar 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....
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Meet the Clown Bringing the Fringe Festival back to Paris
The Earful Tower: 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: Here's the link to get tickets to the show, Sep 9th to 13th, 2026: Here's the link to the episode of...
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Inside the US embassy's July 4th party in Paris
The Earful Tower: 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...
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Unique apartments in Paris: Inside a domed rooftop home
The Earful Tower: Paris
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. . This episode is brought...
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How we launched our newest children's book in Paris
The Earful Tower: 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...
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Alain Delon and the murder that shook Paris
The Earful Tower: 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...
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Exploring the Paris district where the Statue of Liberty was built
The Earful Tower: Paris
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....
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The 17th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
The Earful Tower: Paris
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...
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Cheese Crime in Paris: The Viral Dinner Party Photo That Shocked Us All
The Earful Tower: Paris
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...
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The day I had Paris's best museum to myself (and risked missing my son's birth)
The Earful Tower: Paris
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 ...
info_outlineWelcome 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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Music: Pres Maxson