The French Culture Podcast (by Paris Unlocked) – Details, episodes & analysis

The French Culture Podcast by Paris Unlocked is a deep-dive into the people, historical moments, food, art and trends that have shaped the Gallic world in the modern era. Written and hosted by Courtney Traub, a Franco-American writer and journalist who’s a longtime expert on Parisian culture and history, it’s an antidote to the cliché ideas about France and its citizens that you’ve no doubt soaked up over the years. Instead of tired stereotypes, you’ll find in-depth stories about everything from the lives and legacies of famous French people, to the weirdly contested history of patisseries, insights into recent cultural trends, interviews with interesting people moving the needle in France, and more. This is a heavily researched work of nonfiction that, while aiming to be entirely accurate and factual, may occasionally draw on mythologies, apocryphal tales and explanations to explore French culture in its myriad forms. The creator, writer & host Courtney Traub, is a longtime Paris resident who now divides her time (as well as she can) between the Eastern U.K and the French capital. She’s a double American-French citizen who came by her French passport the long and hard way, and feels deeply connected to both countries and cultures. Living away from Paris for much of the year has only fuelled her semi-obsession with French culture & history, and her desire to excavate some of its most compelling stories for an audience of fellow Francophiles. Her background as a scholar of literature and cultural history means she’s putting her PhD to somewhat unexpected uses with this podcast, drawing on her considerable experience as a researcher to bring you stories about the people, foods, events and creations that have deeply marked, and shaped, French culture. Courtney has been a leading expert on Parisian history, culture and travel for over 15 years. She’s Founder and Editor of the popular site Paris Unlocked as well as its associated newsletter on Substack. Co-author of the 2012 Michelin Green Guide to Northern France & the Paris Region, Courtney was Editor of the About.com Paris Travel site between 2006 and 2016, before it was incorporated into the TripSavvy network. She’s been interviewed as an authority on Parisian travel and culture by the BBC, Newstalk Ireland, Matador Network, Australian Public Radio and other outlets, and is a journalist who’s reported stories for outlets and companies including The Christian Science Monitor, Radio France Internationale, Reed Business Information, WWD and The Associated Press. If you like what you hear here, please subscribe and share with anyone who might be interested. Also make sure to check out the Paris Unlocked website (www.parisunlocked.com) and subscribe to our dedicated newsletter at Substack. Merci!