A quirky, insider's guide to understanding France and the French, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Thursday at 1:45pm. And join us for French Connections Plus on the last Thursday of the month at 4:15pm.
Latest episodes
-
7 min
Protest culture: Why do French students repeatedly rise up?
France is in the international spotlight as massive student protests show no sign of stopping. Demonstrating is something of a rite of passage for young people in France, a moment…
-
7 min
The hunting lobby: Behind France's rural power
After football and fishing, France's third-favourite pastime is hunting. The ancestral activity is popular but also divisive, with passions running high between those who defend hu…
-
7 min
The French Senate: Old, expensive and out of touch or necessary safeguard to democracy?
France is gearing up for an election this Sunday, September 27 to renew just about half of the Senate's 348 red velvet seats. The French parliament is the country's bicameral legis…
-
12 min
Paris neighbourhoods: The charming 3rd arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the 3rd arrondissement. This is the quieter, more local side…
-
7 min
Vacation nation: Preparing for a French summer holiday
With a minimum of 30 days of paid leave per year, French people have the reputation of being on vacation all the time. During the summer months of July and August, the country virt…
-
6 min
La Vie en Paws: Inside France's love affair with pets
This week, we take a deep dive into a love affair that rivals France’s passion for wine, cheese and fashion: the French and their pets. Whether furry, feathered or scaly, the affec…
-
13 min
Paris neighbourhoods: The dynamic 10th arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. Located in the heart of th…
-
6 min
Keeping cool: How French cities are adapting to extreme heat
If you've spent any time in France recently, you'll have noticed it has gotten warmer – especially in French cities. Why do cities suffer more, and what are big urban areas doing t…
-
6 min
France’s villages: Life beyond the postcard
This week, we step away from the headlines and out of the city to focus on French villages. There is a deeply rooted romantic image of village life: a stone church, a sleepy square…
-
6 min
The art of the apéro: Exploring how France unwinds
This week we’re taking a look at a much-loved pillar of French culture: apéro. This ritual gathering takes place before dinner, typically between 6pm and 8pm, it’s a moment when fr…
-
13 min
Paris neighbourhoods: The underrated 14th arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the most underrated district of the capital: the 14th arrond…
-
13 min
Paris neighbourhoods: Exploring the massive 17th arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in a massive Parisian arrondissement – the 17th! We get a behin…
-
7 min
Genius & gadgets: French inventions that changed the world
This week we take a step back from the news and focus on something a little different: French inventions. But we're not just talking about gadgets. Beyond the baguette and beret, F…
-
7 min
The heartbeat of France: Fanfare culture
This week in French Connections we take a step away from the news and focus on France's love for a specific type of musical ensemble, known as a fanfare. Somewhere between a marchi…
-
7 min
Nuclear power: Why did France put the atom at the heart of its energy strategy?
In this week’s show, we turn the spotlight on France’s appetite for nuclear energy. It is one of the most nuclear-dependent countries in the world, with atomic power at the heart o…
-
12 min
Paris neighbourhoods: The iconic 6th arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in one of the French capital's oldest and most influential neig…
-
7 min
Thinking à la française: How French intellectuals shaped the world
Nerd Alert! This week we focus on France’s contribution to knowledge and ideas. If French philosopher René Descartes famously said, “I think, therefore I am,” then “we think, there…
-
8 min
Vive le carnaval! A tour of France's local celebrations
This week we get festive with a look at Carnival. People tend to associate Carnival with places outside France, like Rio de Janeiro and Venice. Yet France boasts its own famous cel…
-
6 min
Love à la française: How are attitudes to dating and marriage different?
When it comes to romance, the French have the reputation of being passionate, first-class lovers. But is this just a cliché? What's it really like to go out with a French person? A…
-
13 min
Paris neighbourhoods: Inside the historic 1st arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the most central arrondissement of the French capital: the 1…