The Earful Tower: Paris

By Oliver Gee

What's The Earful Tower: Paris about?

The Earful Tower is a weekly podcast all about Paris, hosted by Australian expat Oliver Gee. With a huge variety of guests - from cooks and comedians to TV hosts and tour guides - this show will transport you to the City of Lights and make you feel like you've met the characters that make it shine.

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The Earful Tower: Paris episodes:

04.15.2024
Paris through the lens of a movie director
Meet Scott Hillier, an Australian movie director in Paris, who runs the European Independant Film Festival (the ÉCU). He talks of the iconic light in the city of Paris, his film festival, and his exploits around the world as...
04.08.2024
Life in Paris as a Moulin Rouge dancer
Meet Allie Goodbun, a Canadian dancer at the iconic Moulin Rouge in Paris. She talks of how she got the job, her life in Montmartre, and her love for the City of Light. Want to join the fun on Allie's...
04.01.2024
Wining and dining in France with Patricia Wells
This week it's food critic and cookbook author Patricia Wells. Originally from the US, she moved to Paris in 1980 where she worked as a restaurant critic for the International Herald Tribune and later the French weekly newspaper L’Express. Along...
03.27.2024
Making French dessert: A mille-feuille celebration for 1,000 reviews
This week on the show we make mille-feuilles - the "thousand layer pastry" to celebrate 1,000 reviews of The Earful Tower podcast. Thanks to all who've left reviews over the years. You might know a mille-feuille as a...
03.25.2024
The man selling the finest faux flowers in France
This week on the show we welcome back Diederick de Jongh, the owner of Flora Magnifica, which sells the finest faux flowers in France. He was last on the show in 2021, but since then he has changed locations of...
03.18.2024
How to stay safe in Paris, with Amanda Rollins
Is Paris a safe city? The truth is, it's probably about as safe as any other big city. In other words, you need to be smart when you're here. And this week on the podcast, American content creator in Paris...
03.11.2024
The French Revolution: A beginner's guide
If the words "French Revolution" seem daunting to you, then you're not alone. It would take a whole series of podcast episodes to truly understand it all - and luckily for us - podcaster Mike Duncan has done exactly that....
03.04.2024
How we're raising a trilingual child in Paris
Lina and I discuss how circumstance has led to us raising our nearly three-year-old son in French, Swedish, and English. This episode was brought to you by Cook'n With Class, click here to book a class with them. I did the...
02.26.2024
Buying a home in Paris: Five mistakes to avoid
Buying property in Paris (and France, in general) isn't easy. Aside from the dreaded French admin, there is a whole world of traps and tricks to consider. Omissions in the property listing, negotiating prices, and why you shouldn't share a...
02.19.2024
The Seine booksellers are here to stay: let's meet one!
There's a lot of talk right now about the iconic booksellers by the Seine, aka the bouquinistes. In recent months, the Paris Town Hall officials threatened to remove the stalls to make way for the Olympic Games, but President Macron overturned...
02.12.2024
David Lebovitz on the Paris food market: the Marché d'Aligre
Chef David Lebovitz is back on the show to talk about the Aligre Market (le marché d'Aligre) in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. Follow David here for his newsletter on Substack. Music...
02.05.2024
What's life REALLY like for a contemporary Paris writer?
Author Samuel Lopez-Barrantes is on the show talking about being a writer in Paris. Perhaps it's not as romantic and lovely as it might sound. Or perhaps it is! Sam has just published his new book, The Requisitions, which you...
01.29.2024
Best bars in Paris: Here’s a bar for every occasion
This week, Australian Sam Davies is on the show talking about bars in Paris. He has grown an online following by asking bartenders in Paris (and around the world) to recommend other bars. He talks about the Paris bar scene...
01.22.2024
Ten fun French words that I really love
I love the French language. I feel like I could make an episode like this every year. The ten words and words like I like, that make me smile, or that have some kind of a fun story to...
01.15.2024
Visiting the doctors in France: Five things I've noticed
This week I recap my recent three-hour checkup at the Parisian doctors. Whether you've been to the doctor in France a million times or never before, I'm sure you'll learn something from my experiences and observations :) *********** The Earful...
01.08.2024
Paris Bucket List: Things to do in 2024
IT'S BACK AGAIN! Every year we make a bucket list of things we want to try for the first time in Paris. In this episode, you'll hear Oliver and Lina sharing their top five things they want to do this...
01.01.2024
ABC review: Answering 15 questions from YOU
The season is over, the year is over. It's time for a little reflection. In this episode I answer 15 audience questions about our epic ABCson. All the questions come from the Patreon members. Join them here. https://www.patreon.com/theearfultower The music...
12.25.2023
Zinc: A close-up on the iconic Paris rooftops
Z is for Zinc. In this season finale episode, we tackle the topic of zinc, which is used to make 75 percent of the Paris rooftops. I chat with Constance Allard, who runs the zinc workshop Les toits Parisiens. I also...
12.18.2023
Yesteryear: Paris impressions from the 1980s, 70s, and 60s
Y is for Yesteryear. In this episode, I chat with two long-time Paris residents about their first impressions of the city. First, you'll hear from American music journalist Valli about life in Paris in the early 1980s. (Valli was first...
12.11.2023
Xmas party: Our epic Christmas walking tour of Paris
X is for Xmas, obviously. In this episode, we share what happened on our eXciting and eXhausting and eXhilarating Christmas walk around the Pantheon. This is, more specifically, a recap of our 2023 Christmas party, when I took 35 people...
12.04.2023
Wall of Paris: New finds along the ancient Philippe Auguste Wall
W is for Wall. In this episode, I take you for an exciting and historic walk through the Left Bank of Paris to discover hidden vestiges of the Philippe Auguste Wall. This episode marks the end of my wall trilogy....
11.27.2023
Vegan Paris: How well does Paris do vegan food?
V is for Vegan. In this episode, we talk to Amanda Bankert, the owner of Boneshaker Donuts, who has just released a book called Voilà Vegan (double V!). In the book, she reveals that this famed donut shop has been...
11.20.2023
Underground Paris: What's underneath the French capital?
U is for Underground. In this episode, we take you below Paris: On the Metro, through the sewers, and into the (illegal) catacombs. Mentioned in this episode: Luke's English podcast Amber's Paname Podcast The Comte de Saint Germain who...
11.13.2023
Tour d'Argent: Dining at the iconic Michelin restaurant in Paris
T is for Tour d'Argent. In this episode, we take you inside the famed Tour d'Argent restaurant on the Left Bank of Paris, and you'll hear from me and my wife Lina Nordin Gee as we dine. We also...
11.06.2023
Sainte-Chapelle: Inside the great Paris chapel
S is for Sainte-Chapelle. In this episode, I'll take you inside this ancient royal chapel with its incredible stained glass windows. You'll hear from tour guide and Paris expert Amber Minogue, who gives us some insight into the 13th century...
10.30.2023
Richelieu: An epic Paris library (and its exceptional museum)
R is for Richelieu. In this episode, we'll take you inside the newly renovated Richelieu Library, and then its incredible upstairs museum. This episode is co-hosted by Lina Nordin Gee. Featured in the episode: Find the library and museum...
10.23.2023
Queer Paris: What has become of the gay quarter of Paris?
Q is for Queer. In this episode, I'll give you an insight into Gay Paris. And by gay I mean LGBTQIA+. Where is the gay quarter... or perhaps a better question.... what's happened to the gay quarter now that gentrifcation...
10.16.2023
Provence: A beginner's guide to the region
P is for Provence. In this episode, you'll hear some thoughts on the lovely southern French region, with the help of some great guests. First, you'll hear from Suzannah and Hugh Cameron from the antique shop Chez Pluie Provence, sharing...
10.09.2023
Olympics in Paris: A first glimpse at what we expect
O is for the Olympic Games. In this episode, you'll hear my first look ahead to the 2024 summer Olympics. Given it is still so far away, this is more of a light intro to the topic, with the help...
10.02.2023
Notre Dame: What's happening?
N is for the Notre Dame. In this episode, you'll hear about where we're at with the restoration of the Notre Dame cathedral. Short answer: It will reopen December 2024. Long answer: I chat to one of the carpenters involved...
09.25.2023
Marais: How I'd spend my last day there
M is for the Marais. In this episode, you'll hear my thoughts on how I'd spend a perfect last day in the Marais district of Paris (in other words, the third and fourth arrondissements). You'll also hear from Paul Barron,...
09.18.2023
Mid-season reflection and what's next
A bit of reflection as we reach the halfway point of this AB-Season. As I said in the episode, a big thanks to musician Pres Maxson, photographer Augusta Sagnelli, editor Eddie Gee, and occasional co-host Lina Nordin-Gee.
09.11.2023
Lyon: How to spend 48 hours in France's gastronomic capital
L is for Lyon. In this episode, you'll hear about my experiences after spending 48 hours in Lyon with Lovely Lina. There's also some local insights from Caroline Connor, who does wine tastings in Lyon, and runs the website and...
09.04.2023
Kylie: The crocodile swimming in Paris
K is for Kylie the Crocodile in Paris. In this episode, you'll hear a brand new twist in the story of Kylie the Crocodile. This episode was taken from a live show at Spilling the Beans. You can find more...
08.28.2023
Jewish Paris: Famous falafels to moving museums
J is for Jewish Paris. In this episode, I take you walking through the Jewish quarter of Paris to try to understand what's going on there. Edith de Belleville, a licensed tour guide, author, and expert on Jewish...
08.21.2023
Ile Saint-Louis: The most beautiful walk in Paris
I is for Ile Saint-Louis - an island in the Seine. As far as I'm concerned, it features the most beautiful walk in Paris. In this episode, I take you walking along the best bits of the island and share...
08.14.2023
Haussmann: The man who remade Paris
H is for Haussmann - Baron Haussmann that is. He was the urban planner behind the redesign of Paris under Napoleon III. But what is a Haussmannian building? Who was Haussmann, really, and why was his work so important? Where...
08.07.2023
Guimard: The architect who brought Art Nouveau to Paris
G is for Guimard - Hector Guimard that is. He is the architect 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. But what...
07.31.2023
Floods: Paris when it's underwater (and the Great Flood of 1910)
F is for Floods - that is, the floods of the Seine River in Paris. And today we're paying particular attention to the game-changing Great Flood of 1910. Featured is the voice of Jeffrey Jackson, Professor of History at Rhodes...
07.24.2023
Eiffel: How well do YOU know the Eiffel Tower?
E is for the Eiffel Tower, the most iconic landmark in France, probably Europe, and maybe the world. This podcast episode features 10 facts about the tower, but you're going to have to try and guess them first. There are...
07.17.2023
Deauville: More than "the Parisian Riviera"
D is for Deauville, a small town north of Paris on the coast of Normandy that has captured the attention of film-buffs, gamblers, beach lovers, and horse racing fans since the 1800s. We visited with the help of the local...
07.10.2023
Chateaux: Unique ways to finance them in France
C is for Chateaux - of which there are 45,000 in France. I've always been quite fascinated by French castles, and this episode takes a closer look at how they're financed. We all know they're expensive to buy and to...
07.02.2023
Bievre: Finding the lost Paris river
B is for Bievre, the river that once ran through Paris. This episode is about our pilgrimmage to track it, how I walked through it with an immortal count, and a word on the exciting future of the river. Featured...
06.26.2023
Arago: Tracking the Paris meridian line
A is for Arago, the name of the scientist who helped map out the Paris meridian line (François Arago (1786-1853)). In this episode, I explore the "Rose Line" (as it was called in the Da Vinci Code), seeking out the...
06.19.2023
Introduction to the big new season of The Earful Tower
Welcome to the ABCeason... or the AB Season... or the ABC-son. Haven't quite figured the spelling yet, but you get the idea, I hope. Now you know what the next 26 episodes will hold. Support this show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theearfultower
06.12.2023
Movies and art on the French Riviera
It's our series finale on the French Riviera. This time, we're looking at art, especially through the lens of cinema (and the Cannes Film Festival) - and via the paintbrush of the impressionists. This episode features author Edward Chisholm (Instagram...
06.05.2023
Ten top places to explore on the French Riviera
After month in the French Riviera, here is the Earful Tower's tips for places we recommend in the area, from big famous towns to tiny and lovely villages. Mentioned in this episode: Antibes, Juan-Les-Pins, Nice, La Turbie, Monaco, Biot,...
05.29.2023
Famous writers and the French Riviera
Author John Baxter is back - this time discussing literature from the French Riviera. We tackle a lot, with a bigger focus on F Scott Fitzgerald and Marina Picasso (and her tell-all book). Book a walking tour with John and...
05.22.2023
Five golden rules for visiting the French Riviera
We've spent a month in the French Riviera. Here is The Earful Tower's introduction to the area via five golden rules for your own visit. Mentioned in this episode: Bigger towns: Cannes, Antibes, Nice Much smaller spots: Villa Kerylos, Biot,...
05.01.2023
Farewell to the little red scooter
Here's a poem I wrote to say goodbye to my little red scooter. Inspired by the great Australian bush poet Banjo Paterson. Farewell, Little Red, thanks for all the memories.

What's The Earful Tower: Paris about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Earful Tower: Paris episodes:

Paris through the lens of a movie director

Life in Paris as a Moulin Rouge dancer

Wining and dining in France with Patricia Wells

Making French dessert: A mille-feuille celebration for 1,000 reviews

The man selling the finest faux flowers in France

How to stay safe in Paris, with Amanda Rollins

The French Revolution: A beginner's guide

How we're raising a trilingual child in Paris

Buying a home in Paris: Five mistakes to avoid

The Seine booksellers are here to stay: let's meet one!

David Lebovitz on the Paris food market: the Marché d'Aligre

What's life REALLY like for a contemporary Paris writer?

Best bars in Paris: Here’s a bar for every occasion

Ten fun French words that I really love

Visiting the doctors in France: Five things I've noticed

Paris Bucket List: Things to do in 2024

ABC review: Answering 15 questions from YOU

Zinc: A close-up on the iconic Paris rooftops

Yesteryear: Paris impressions from the 1980s, 70s, and 60s

Xmas party: Our epic Christmas walking tour of Paris

Wall of Paris: New finds along the ancient Philippe Auguste Wall

Vegan Paris: How well does Paris do vegan food?

Underground Paris: What's underneath the French capital?

Tour d'Argent: Dining at the iconic Michelin restaurant in Paris

Sainte-Chapelle: Inside the great Paris chapel

Richelieu: An epic Paris library (and its exceptional museum)

Queer Paris: What has become of the gay quarter of Paris?

Provence: A beginner's guide to the region

Olympics in Paris: A first glimpse at what we expect

Notre Dame: What's happening?

Marais: How I'd spend my last day there

Mid-season reflection and what's next

Lyon: How to spend 48 hours in France's gastronomic capital

Kylie: The crocodile swimming in Paris

Jewish Paris: Famous falafels to moving museums

Ile Saint-Louis: The most beautiful walk in Paris

Haussmann: The man who remade Paris

Guimard: The architect who brought Art Nouveau to Paris

Floods: Paris when it's underwater (and the Great Flood of 1910)

Eiffel: How well do YOU know the Eiffel Tower?

Deauville: More than "the Parisian Riviera"

Chateaux: Unique ways to finance them in France

Bievre: Finding the lost Paris river

Arago: Tracking the Paris meridian line

Introduction to the big new season of The Earful Tower

Movies and art on the French Riviera

Ten top places to explore on the French Riviera

Famous writers and the French Riviera

Five golden rules for visiting the French Riviera

Farewell to the little red scooter