What if you were to browse the internet and see a photo of a neglected castle in the south of France, a ruin for sure but with a faded grandeur that pulls at your heart strings… Would you be tempted to give up your dream of a little house in the country and throw everything you have into restoring the castle to its former glory? Live without electricity. Chop wood to keep the fire going so you don’t freeze in winter as the snow falls all around and the bitter wind blows down from the Pyr...

#9 - The fairy tale Chateau de Gudanes

Everything you want to know about France and more… in a free podcast. Janine Marsh, Editor of The Good Life France, award-winning travel writer and author of best-selling memoirs about life in France with her unruly chickens, dogs, cats, ducks and geese, quirky neighbours and the joys of renovation, and Olivier Jauffrit, the vintage French music expert at Radio Paris Chanson – have teamed up to make a podcast!

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In this episode we’re going to explore a legendary institution. It’s a world record holder. It’s enormous. It’s world famous. It’s in the heart of Paris. Kings have lived in it. Now it is home to one of the most famous paintings in the world. Ladies and gentlemen, lovely listeners – I give you -  the Louvre Museum.The Louvre is the world’s most famous and largest fine arts museum. It’s home to the one of the most impressive art collections in all of history. It’s also the most visited mu...

#42 - The incredible history of the Louvre Museum

The history of absinthe is a tale of madness, creative genius, smuggling, fairies and bad behaviour in the Belle-Époque, a time of peace and economic prosperity in France when the arts flourished from early 1870 until 1914 and the start of the first world war.Created as a medicine from wormwood plants by a doctor fleeing the French Revolution, it is a very French drink! Follow us:  On Twitter  On Instagram  On Facebook  On The Good Life France's website  On Paris Chanson's   Thanks for l...

#41 - The fascinating history of absinthe

A woman with an enigmatic smile. She has been celebrated in songs, poetry and pop art. She is mysterious, some say she is a siren who casts a spell on those who look at her. She does not move. She does not speak. And yet she is a global icon. Discover the fascinating history of the Mona Lisa as we explore the creation of the painting, its journey through history, and why it remains one of the most famous paintings in the world.Follow us:  On Twitter  On Instagram  On Facebook  On The Good Lif...

#40 - The Mystery of the Mona Lisa

In this petite podcast episode, we’re going to explore the traditions of May Day in France, the first of May, and specifically the tradition of giving flowers to friends and loved ones which is unique to France. It’s a tale of history, drama and romance… Follow us:  On Twitter  On Instagram  On Facebook  On The Good Life France's website  On Paris Chanson's   Thanks for listening!

#39 - May Day in France

Today we’re going to be talking about a man who in his time was one of the most powerful men in the world. He had a huge impact on French history. He had lavish tastes, he was a control freak, he loved the arts and believed himself chosen by God to rule over millions of people. You might have guessed who I’m talking about by now. It is the only and only Louis XIV, the Sun King.Louis, also known as the "God given one", was arguably one of the greatest Kings of France, certainly one of the most...

#9 - The fairy tale Chateau de Gudanes

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