The Earful Tower: Paris
The Earful Tower is a podcast about Paris, hosted by Oliver Gee, featuring guests who make the City of Light shine. The New York Times ranked it among the world’s “most transportive” podcasts. The shows 400 episodes have had over 4 million downloads from around 100,000 listeners. Besides the podcast, The Earful Tower has come to include videos, books, walking tours and more. It's all made possible by the show's generous Patreon supporters.
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The best books about Paris... according to a beloved bookseller in Paris
11/18/2025
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. . Music in the episode was from Pres Maxson, his take on the classic Charles Aznavour song Hier encore. *********** 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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This man turned one Paris street into a food and drink hub
11/03/2025
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: The café: For beer and whisky: The sandwich spot: The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson. *********** 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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Paris's specialty coffee boom: Can it last?
10/27/2025
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 : Find Cafe Mericourt on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/cafemericourt/ Explore the website : https://www.cafemericourt.com/menu The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson. *********** 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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Louvre robbery: We were inside the Apollo Gallery for the break-in
10/20/2025
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". *********** 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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Interior design: How to add Paris flair to your home
10/13/2025
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 : https://www.instagram.com/cleointeriordesign/ Explore her website : https://www.cleointeriordesign.com The music in this episode is from 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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We're making a new children's book: Here's how we do it
09/29/2025
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. *********** 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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Bistros to boulevards: How Paris was shaped by its World Fairs
09/22/2025
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: , 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. *********** 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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My love letter to the Parisian food markets
09/15/2025
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. *********** 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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Meet the woman behind the top cooking classes in Paris
09/02/2025
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 and follow Jane herself . Book a cooking class at And follow the And of course, find the book: The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson, his take on the classic Sous le ciel de Paris. *********** 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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New Paris museum to open in iconic setting
08/25/2025
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 () and from Paris head auctioneer Christophe Lucien. Do you like this podcast? Become a Patreon member of The Earful Tower to support this show and get extras. The music in this episode is from 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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I swam in the Seine: Here's what happened
08/18/2025
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, . Music: Sunset on the Seine, an original 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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So THIS is the most popular street in Paris (Part Two)
08/11/2025
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 . Fitting music this week, again, is from Pres Maxson. Thanks *********** 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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Which is the most popular street in Paris? (Part One)
08/04/2025
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. *********** 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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In charge of an icon: A chat with the Eiffel Tower's director
07/21/2025
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 45-minute video Music 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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After 10 years in Paris, we finally got SCAMMED
07/07/2025
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 of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/tours Music 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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Flea markets, football, and the Louvre: The Earful interns are back!
06/23/2025
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. they mentioned in the episode. Also mentioned in this episode: The podcast (currently in Italy): https://theearfultower.substack.com/p/its-here-the-official-launch-of-the Our of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/tours Music 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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Behind the Scenes of Paris with the Queen of Tourism
06/16/2025
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 here: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/ Also mentioned in this episode: The podcast (currently in Italy): https://theearfultower.com/2025/05/15/lets-explore-italy-with-the-earful-everywhere/ Our of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/tours Music 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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The time a Parisian supermodel changed this whole show
06/02/2025
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 . *********** 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. or on . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links: - -
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Writing Paris mystery books with Cara Black
05/19/2025
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: https://carablack.com/ : https://carablack.substack.com/ https://www.amazon.fr/Huguette-Cara-Black/dp/1641294493 Also mentioned in this episode: The podcast (currently in Italy): https://theearfultower.com/2025/05/15/lets-explore-italy-with-the-earful-everywhere/ Our of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/tours Music 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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Ten top ideas for college kids in Paris
05/12/2025
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. they mentioned in the episode. Also mentioned in this episode: The podcast (currently in Italy): https://theearfultower.substack.com/p/its-here-the-official-launch-of-the Our of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/tours Music 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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My three-year-old on learning 3 languages at once
05/05/2025
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 podcast (currently in Italy): https://theearfultower.substack.com/p/its-here-the-official-launch-of-the Our of Paris: http://www.theearfultower.com/tours Music 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. or . Thank you for keeping this channel independent. For more from the Earful Tower, here are some handy links:
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A very deep dive into Notre Dame
04/14/2025
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 . You can also book Boris for a walking tour . Enjoying what we’re doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member or a Substack to support it and to discover our exciting extras. Music: Pres Maxson.
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How to plan a trip to Paris: tips for seeing “The Big Five”
03/31/2025
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. . 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 to support it and to discover our exciting extras. Music: Pres Maxson.
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Five exciting things for The Earful Tower right now
03/24/2025
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. 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 to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
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Made in Paris: Some great workshops in the city of light
03/17/2025
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 (: 12 Rue du Prévôt, 75004). For the hatmaking, seek out (Address: 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. 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 to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
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Carving Paris: How limestone built this city
03/10/2025
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 (: 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. 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 to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
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Père Lachaise: The most visited cemetery in the world
03/03/2025
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 or on ebook . 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. 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 to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
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French Frustrations: The pitfalls of being outsiders in Paris
02/24/2025
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. 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 to support it and to discover our exciting extras.
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Underrated or overrated? A Paris expert's top ten
02/17/2025
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. () 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. . Enjoying what we’re doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member to support it and to discover our exciting extras. Music: Pres Maxson.
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A very deep dive into the Louvre museum
02/10/2025
A very deep dive into the Louvre museum
Let's visit the Louvre with author . 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 and the . 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 Museum is released on 1 April 2025. . 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 runs from 24 January - 21 July. 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 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. and be sure to let them know that you came from The Earful Tower.
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