La Fayette, We Are Here!

By Emmanuel DuboisSociety & Culture Education History

La Fayette, We Are Here! episodes

September 24, 2024The Five French Republics - From Revolution to Evolution
We will traverse the peaks and valleys of five republics, each reflecting France’s evolving spirit and struggles. From revolutionary fervour to imperial ambition, from the trials of war to the triumphs of modern democracy, each republic has contributed to the rich mosaic of France as we know it today.

Join us as we unravel the dramatic narrative of the Five French Republics, where every chapter is a tale of resilience and reinvention. Prepare to be captivated by a story as rich and complex as France itself.

Timecodes
Introduction
05:15 - Establishment of the First Republic
17:38 - The Directorate and the Consulate
25:05 - The short-lived Second Republic
34:47 - The Third Republic - Out of the Ashes, into the Fire
45:11 - The Belle Époque and the World Wars
51:12 - The Fourth Republic - Colonial Crisis
58:45 - The Fifth Republic - Presidential authority
01:04:19 - Conclusion

Relevant Episodes:
First Republic: The French Revolution, a Worldwide Tremor & Napoléon Part I - From Corsica to Paris
Second & Third Republics: The Franco-Prussian War of 1870, rehearsal for the World Wars, French Indochina, from Imperial Jewel to Hell on Earth, The Dreyfus Affair. France's Shame, The First World War. The French Experience
Fourth & Fifth Republics: The Fall of France of 1940, German Victory or French Defeat?, Charles de Gaulle, Tales of Grandeur

Music: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.

Artwork: La République triomphante préside à la grande fête nationale du 14 juillet 1880, 1880 (Archives nationales, Paris).
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1 hr 9 min
August 13, 2024La Fayette's USA Tour of 1824 - The Hero Returns. With Elizabeth Reese.
To commemorate the 200th anniversary of La Fayette's grand tour of the USA in 1824, we have a special episode featuring guest Elizabeth Reese. Elizabeth is a public historian whose work focuses on the American Revolution and the Early Republic.

She recently published a book on the famed Marquis' visit to America: "Marquis de Lafayette Returns - A Tour of America's National Capital Region".

Join us as we discuss the circumstances, unfolding, and consequences of this great endeavour.

Timecodes
Introduction
04:23 - Brief overview of La Fayette and why President Monroe Invited Him
15:26 - The Scale of the Tour
21:35 - La Fayette Visits DC
28:33 - Important Events during the Tour
37:17 - The Legacy of the Tour
46:23 - Conclusion

Relevant Links:
Elizabeth's Website: https://www.elizabethmreese.com/
Her book "Marquis de Lafayette Returns - A Tour of America's National Capital Region": https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/9781467155878/
Elizabeth's BlueSky profile: https://bsky.app/profile/elizamreese.bsky.social
Elizabeth's Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/elizamreese/
Elizabeth's X profile: https://x.com/elizamreese
Lafayette 200's Website (by American Friends of Lafayette): https://lafayette200.org/

Music: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.

Artwork: La Fayette in 1825, portrait by Matthew Harris Jouett
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49 min
July 16, 2024Jules Verne - France's Great Adventure
Jules Verne is one of the most influential authors who ever lived, from every country and genre. He is the most translated author in the world after Agatha Christie and is by far the most translated French author. Verne's vision, stories and characters still resonate with us today, whether as part of new fictional storylines, or as cultural beacons and references.

Verne didn't just write stories; he opened portals to new worlds and inspired generations to dream bigger and reach farther. Join us as we delve into the life and legacy of Jules Verne, the father of science fiction and a true visionary of his time.

Timecodes
Introduction
04:42 - Growing up in Nantes
11:06 - Young Parisian Playwright
19:05 - Success, at last
31:36 - Darker Times
41:47 - Conclusion

Links to relevant episodes:

On the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War: https://www.lafayettepodcast.com/1969630/10702428-the-franco-prussian-war-of-1870-rehearsal-for-the-world-wars
On late 19th century colonization: https://www.lafayettepodcast.com/1969630/12999723-french-indochina-from-imperial-jewel-to-hell-on-earth
On the Dreyfus Affair: https://www.lafayettepodcast.com/1969630/14076356-the-dreyfus-affair-france-s-shame

Music: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.

Artwork: Jules Verne in 1892, photograph by Charles Herbert

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46 min
June 11, 2024The French Wars of Religion - Faith in Destruction
On one side, the Catholic majority, unwavering in their devotion to Rome. On the other, the Huguenots, French Protestants inspired by the teachings of Jean Calvin. Caught in the crossfire of this religious divide was the monarchy, struggling to maintain order amidst growing tension. But their efforts often only fuelled the flames of conflict.

And so, in 1562, the first shots were fired in what would become known as the French Wars of Religion. Over the next three decades, France would be engulfed in a series of bloody clashes between Catholics and Protestants, tearing the nation apart.
Join us as we unravel the intricate tapestry of alliances, betrayals, and power struggles that defined this turbulent period. From the grand halls of royal palaces to the blood-soaked fields of battle, we'll bring to life the key events and personalities that shaped the destiny of France.
Timecodes:
Introduction
05:15 - From Strength to Chaos
17:34 - Instability and Crisis
27:24 - War, War, War!
33:53 - The Saint-Barthélemy Massacre
41:05 - The Eighth and Final War
47:55 - Henri IV - "Paris is well worth a Mass"
52:06 - Conclusion

Music: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.

Artwork: "St. Bartholomew's Day massacre' by François Dubois (1572)
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56 min
May 07, 2024Napoléon : the Man and his Books, with Louis Sarkozy
When we talk about Napoléon, we often talk about battles or politics, but we don't talk nearly enough about the man. Some dismiss him as a proto-Hitler, others adore him as they would a god. But few actually try to crack open the mysteries of the Napoleonic mind. Author Louis Sarkozy did just that, by studying Napoléon Bonaparte and his most important personal activity: his readings.

Louis Sarkozy's upcoming book, Napoleon's Library, is both a fantastic character study and a thoroughly executed research on the emperor's reading habits. It informs us of the importance of his readings, as well as the evolution of his mind throughout the years.

Louis and I had a fantastic discussion regarding Napoléon's character, achievements, failures and legacy. We also threw a few jabs at the 2023 movie by Ridley Scott.

Update from October 2025: my stance on political censorship, the Sarkozy affair in France and this podcast episode: https://bsky.app/profile/lafayettepodcast.com/post/3m2wddsmoos2l

Timecodes:
Introduction
04:13 - Napoléon's Readings
12:55 - From Words to Action
19:06 - From Thinker to Soldier
33:59 - Napoléon's Mythos & Legacy
52:11- Napoléon's Greatest Strengths and Weaknesses
01:01:28 - The 2023 Movie
01:08:11 - Conclusion

Louis Sarkozy's Profile on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarkozy.louis/

Music: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.

Artwork: Bonaparte, Premier consul, by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1804)
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1 hr 11 min
April 09, 2024Camille Saint-Saëns and France's Music
We often see history as a succession of dates, events, wars and political machinations. But we should not forget that history is also forged by culture and by art. Art reflects society's values and aspirations, but also helps create them and move people forward. It also elevates us and makes us better in many ways.

Among the many art forms available to us, music is the one that transports us with the greatest strength. It surrounds us, lifts us and takes us to places we didn't know existed. Oh, literature and paintings can do that too, but music is special. It is unique as it can be savoured with our eyes closed.

Let's meet Camille Saint-Saëns and France's music!

Timecodes:
Introduction
04:33 - A Young Prodigy
12:28 - The Remarkable Organist & Pianist
19:17 - World Famous Composer
32:13 - Conclusion

Music: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.

Musical excerpts (in order):

Finale - Carnival of the Animals, R. 125

Phaeton, Op. 39

Symphony #3 In C Minor, Op. 78, "Organ", 4th movement

Danse Macabre, Op. 40

Symphony #3 In C Minor, Op. 78, "Organ", 1st movement

The Swan - Carnival of the Animals, R. 125

Aviary - Carnival of the Animals, R. 125

Aquarium - Carnival of the Animals, R. 125

Pianists - Carnival of the Animals, R. 125

Royal march of the Lion - Carnival of the Animals, R. 125

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37 min
February 07, 2024The First World War. The French Experience
For France, the Great War is a serious and deep wound that she partially inflicted on herself. It is painful and has never fully healed. It is something personal, felt by all strata of the nation. From the humblest peasant to the richest industrialist, no layer of French society was spared in the great slaughter that the trenches were. The country itself still bears the scars of battles dating back nearly 110 years. Every city and village in France has a monument to the dead of the First World War, often with a staggering number of fallen soldiers considering the local population. And that's not counting the wounded, the mutilated, the traumatized.
We are not going to go through dates and battles. We are not going to summarize four years of destructive conflict by analyzing every move and strategic decision. Others have done it many times, surely better than me. No, we will focus on the experience of the country of France during those dreadful years from 1914 to 1918.
Timecodes:
Introduction
05:18 - On The War Path
13:22 - The Poilus
26:51 - France at War
42:18 - Life after 1918
48:11 - Conclusion

Music: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.

Artwork: Fête de L’Alsace-Lorraine le 17 novembre 1918. Les blessés défilent avenue des Champs-Elysées, Paris. Agence Rol, Public Domain (Gallica)

Recommended link: Blueprint for Armageddon, Hardcore History podcast by Dan Carlin
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53 min
January 09, 2024Nathanael Greene and La Fayette, Partners in Freedom. With Salina B. Baker.
In this unique episode, we engage in a conversation with Salina B. Baker, an accomplished author of historical fiction, who has received multiple awards for her work. Additionally, she is a historian specializing in the American Revolution and Victorian America.

She has just released an outstanding novel titled "The Line of Splendor: A Novel of Nathanael Greene and the American Revolution." In our conversation, we delve into the intricate relationship between General Greene and his close French ally, the Marquis de La Fayette. This profound friendship holds significance not only for the two men but also for the broader context of the American Revolution, symbolizing the enduring and meaningful connection between France and the United States of America in various aspects.

Timecodes:
Introduction
03:01 - Meet Nathanael Greene
09:57 - Greene and La Fayette
20:40 - Working Together
27:39 - Fighting for the Cause
30:41 - Friends after the War
40:16 - Conclusion

Music: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.

Artwork: "Nathanael Greene in General uniform" by Charles Willson Peale (left) and "The young Marquis de Lafayette wearing his uniform as Major General of the Continental Army" by Charles Willson Peale (right).

Recommended link: Salina B. Baker's website (https://www.salinabbaker.com/)

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43 min
December 12, 2023The Dreyfus Affair. France's Shame
Liberté, égalité, fraternité. This is the French Republic’s motto. Liberty and equality are also in the first article of the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" of 1789. The French are very proud of that heritage, of France’s struggle during and after the Revolution. They think of their homeland as the cradle of liberty in Europe, as a welcoming and understanding land, ruled by reason and intellect, rather than by prejudice and bigotry. Sadly, those clear and healthy waters of freedom and justice often got muddied over the years.

In the late nineteenth century, France was a wounded country. Her honour had been tarnished in 1870-71 and her population was deeply traumatized by the civil war that ensued. Fears of an enemy, and of traitors, was at an all time high. This very specific phase mixed with an element older than France herself: antisemitism. In 1894, captain Alfred Dreyfus would suffer greatly as a consequence of those elements. Although there are some saving graces, and some might even say a silver lining, this whole series of events really are France’s shame!
Timecodes:
Introduction
03:38 - La Belle Époque
08:48 - Alfred Dreyfus, Jewish French officer
14:28 - Dreyfus Arrested
21:17 - L'Affaire begins
26:07 - J'accuse...!
34:03 - The Rennes Trial
39:20 - Rehabilitation
44:10 - Conclusion

Music: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.

Artwork: "The traitor: Degradation of Alfred Dreyfus, degradation in the Morland Court of the military school in Paris" front page of the illustrated supplement of the Petit Journal, Sunday, January 13, 1895.

Recommended link: The Siècle podcast by David H. Montgomery, available at http://thesiecle.com/
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49 min
November 07, 2023The Seven Years' War. The Great French Disaster
This particular conflict goes by multiple names and definitions. While it is globally recognized as the Seven Years' War, it is more commonly referred to in America as the French and Indian War, and in Canada as the War of Conquest. These wars are all interconnected and are part of a vast global struggle between the two superpowers of the mid-eighteenth century: France and Great Britain.

Considered by many as the first true world war, it continues to reverberate even today. Join us as we embark on a historical journey, with Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour, the Marquis de Montcalm, and general Wolfe as our guides, to examine "the Great French Disaster."

Timecodes:
Introduction
04:18 - The Origins of Conflict
13:21 - From Frontier Struggle to Global War
22:12 - Downward Spiral
28:51 - The Great Disaster
37:46 - Conclusion

Music: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.

Artwork: The death of the Marquis de Montcalm, by Juste Chevillet, National Gallery of Canada

Recommended link: "The Life and Times of Frederick the Great" podcast by Alec Avdakov

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45 min

About La Fayette, We Are Here!

From the publisher's feed

French history podcast, by a Frenchman. Learn all about France's history: Charlemagne, The Hundred Years’ War, Jeanne d’Arc, New France, Louis XIV, the Révolution, Napoléon and much more! Artwork by…