Raphaël Benoliel is one of the key figures connecting Hollywood and France.

From Mission Impossible to Midnight in Paris, from The Crown to Emily in Paris, he has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry — helping bring international productions to French soil.

In this episode of A la Française, he shares the untold story of how Mission Impossible was almost cancelled just weeks before filming, what makes France so attractive to Hollywood, and why Paris continues to fascinate the world.

We also dive into the cultural differences between French and American film crews, the global success of Emily in Paris, and the idea of Paris as a “fantasy” sold to the world.

A rare behind-the-scenes look at cinema, culture, and the power of the French image.

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For nearly two decades, Olivier Giraud, comedian and creator of the iconic show How to Become a Parisian in One Hour, has been teaching audiences from around the world how to decode — and laugh at — the Parisian way of life.

In this episode, Olivier opens up about:

- His daily terrace ritual in the Latin Quarter

- The story behind French Arrogance Production

- Why Parisians love to complain (and never smile)

- What makes the French “art de vivre” so unique

- His favorite places in Paris — and the ones to avoid

- How cooking a perfect pot-au-feu became his signature dish

From Bordeaux to Paris, from the stage of L’Olympia to café terraces, Olivier Giraud embodies the spirit and humor of French life — elegant, ironic, and full of contradictions.

Watch now and discover Paris through the eyes of a true (and proudly “horrible”) Parisian.

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In this episode we welcome Corinne Menegaux, CEO of "Paris je t’aime"

After serving on the executive committee of Reed Expositions France — where she oversaw the hospitality and restaurant divisions — Corinne Menegaux took the helm of "Paris je t’aime". Since 2018, she has been leading the Paris Tourist Office, which welcomes over 40 million visitors each year.

She talks to us about Paris like you’ve never heard it before and takes us on a journey through the streets of the French capital.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

François Sureau is a writer, lawyer, and member of the Académie Française. Few people embody the French spirit as deeply as he does. In this long conversation, he reflects on what it truly means to be French — our contradictions, our ideals, and our endless love for freedom and debate.

From his years in the Foreign Legion to his reflections on history, culture, and the “art de vivre”, François Sureau offers a portrait of France that is both critical and tender.

He speaks of patriotism, irony, elegance, defeat, and beauty — all the things that make France, France.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we welcome Magali Chisholm, founder of Essential France, a luxury travel company based in New York that has been promoting the French art de vivre for over twenty years.

Born in eastern France and educated at the prestigious Lycée Henri IV, Magali moved to the United States after a career in international organizations and fashion — from Chanel to Swarovski.

There, she built a bridge between French elegance and American ambition, turning her passion for culture, food, and travel into a thriving business.

Together, we explore what it means to sell “the French dream” to American travelers: how France became the world’s number one destination, the changing expectations of luxury tourism, and the timeless charm of gastronomy, romance, and good conversation.

She also shares her own vision of l’art de vivre à la française — a slower pace, a shared meal, and a love for life’s simple pleasures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we welcome Margaret Johnston-Clarke, a woman with a truly bicultural journey, living her life between the United States and France.

She shares what it was like moving to Paris at the age of 7, her childhood memories, the influence of her mother (a writer and culinary expert), and what it means to grow up “between two worlds.” Together, we explore the contrasts between New York and Paris, the famous French art de vivre, the role of gastronomy, and her professional path from NGOs to L’Oréal and Moët & Chandon.

Throughout the conversation, Margaret talks about:

- her Franco-American identity,

- the freedom she found in France,

- clichés (true and false) about the French,

- French gastronomy (from salade niçoise to family meals),

- working in companies that embody French savoir-faire,

- her vision of what truly defines the “art de vivre à la française.”

An inspiring exchange that sheds light on the unique connection between New York and Paris, and what it means to live across two cultures.

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What makes the French art de vivre so unique?

In this episode of À la Française, Pierre-Jean sits down with Ferit Öngür, one of the most passionate and insightful tour guides in Paris.

Together, they explore how beauty, elegance, and history have shaped not only Paris, but the very identity of France. From the grand architecture of Haussmann boulevards to the terraces of Parisian cafés, from gastronomy to craftsmanship, Ferit reveals why the French care so deeply about excellence in every detail.

What you’ll discover in this episode:

- Ferit’s Franco-Turkish background and how it shaped his worldview

- Why Paris is often called a “living museum”

- How beauty and fashion became central to French identity

- The French art de vivre: gastronomy, debate, craftsmanship, and hedonism

- Must-see highlights of the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay

- The story (and controversy) behind the Louvre Pyramid

Whether you’re passionate about France, planning a trip to Paris, or simply curious about the French way of life, this episode will change the way you look at the City of Light.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

✨ Welcome to the very first episode of À la française, the podcast that shines the light on the French art of living, and those who shape it.

In this conversation, Pierre-Jean Romatet sits down with Ayyam Sureau, who has called France home for over 40 years. With wit and elegance, she shares her unique perspective on:

- The paradoxes of the French character: a mix of modesty, ambition, and lighthearted pessimism.

- The essence of the art de vivre: simplicity, refinement, and centuries of savoir-faire, from cuisine to wine.

- Paris beyond clichés: dawn in the City of Light, hidden cafés, secret restaurants, and the neighborhoods where locals truly live.

- The outsider’s eye: how foreigners experience France, from cultural shocks to unexpected beauty.

- Escaping Paris: Normandy’s raw coastline, forgotten towns, and stories that still carry the memory of World War II.

This episode is more than a guide to France: it’s an invitation to experience Paris and French culture like an insider, far from the tourist clichés.

🎧 Whether you’re planning your first trip to France or simply dreaming of Paris from afar, this episode will change the way you look at the French way of life.

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