The Land of Desire: French History and Culture

By Diana Stegall

What's The Land of Desire: French History and Culture about?

A French History Podcast

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LAST EPISODE

65. A Trip to the Spa

02.25.2021

“The waters of Vichy…gave me back my strength.” – Madame de Sévigné The darkest days of winter are here, and I think it’s time we all indulged in a little self-care, non? My own quarantine hobby, skincare, set me down ...

The Land of Desire: French History and Culture episodes:

02.25.2021 65. A Trip to the Spa “The waters of Vichy…gave me back my strength.” – Madame de Sévigné The darkest days of winter are here, and I think it’s time we all indulged in a little self-care, non? My own quarantine hobby, skincare, set me down ...
01.21.2021 64. Louis Pasteur and The History of the Vaccine “I think my hand will tremble,“ – Louis Pasteur Happy New Year! The Land of Desire is BACK with an exciting – and hopeful – story to set us off on the right track in 2021. Your happy host gets ...
10.29.2020 63. Jeanne de Clisson and the Black Fleet Just in time for spooky season - ooh, lady pirates. Learn the tale of Jeanne de Clisson and the Black Fleet: piracy, treachery...and blood-soaked revenge!
09.24.2020 62. Surya Bonaly The story of Surya Bonaly, France's innovative, infamous anti-ice princess. Was she a victim of racism, a squandered talent, or simply ahead of her time? And will anyone ever dare to attempt her signature move?
08.27.2020 61. Euro Disney “My biggest fear is that we’ll be too successful.” – Robert Fitzpatrick, Euro Disney chairman It’s that time of year – les vacances! Oh, wait, you’re stuck at home? No big international trips? Global pandemic got you grounded? Yeah, me ...
07.30.2020 60. The History of Madeleines “A party without a cake is just a meeting.” – Julia Child It’s our birthday!! Today, The Land of Desire kicks off its fifth year and what better way to celebrate than with a little cake? This week, I’m focusing ...
07.14.2020 59. Women At War BONUS: The Witness (Rose Valland) “To those who served to save a little of the beauty of this world.” – epigraph, memoirs of Rose Valland Surprise! I know I said I was done with Women At War, but then I immediately sat up in bed ...
06.25.2020 58. Women At War 5: The Survivor II (Marie-José Wilborts) When we came back, nobody wanted to know. ― Loulou Le Porz, Ravensbruck survivor It’s the two-part conclusion of the miniseries: Women In War. This episode was a long time coming. I struggled to read the stories of Ravensbruck concentration ...
06.25.2020 57. Women At War 5: The Survivor I (Marie-José Wilborts) When we came back, nobody wanted to know. ― Loulou Le Porz, Ravensbruck survivor It’s the two-part conclusion of the miniseries: Women In War. This episode was a long time coming. I struggled to read the stories of Ravensbruck concentration ...
02.27.2020 56. Women At War 4: The Résistante (Jacqueline Marié) We are going underground. ― Jacqueline Marié It’s the continuation of my new miniseries on a subject extremely near and dear to my heart: Women In War! For the next few weeks I’ll be focusing on the experiences of women ...
01.16.2020 55. Women At War 3: The Collaborator (Coco Chanel) Where other women saw an Occupation, one woman saw an opportunity. Coco Chanel: fashion icon, social queen...Nazi spy.
10.31.2019 54. Women At War 2: The Schoolteacher (Berthe Auroy) Part 2 of a series about French women's experiences during World War II. Berthe Auroy adjusts to a strange half-life under the German Occupation of Paris.
09.26.2019 53. Women At War 1: The Exile (Elisabeth Kaufmann) Part 1 of a series about French women's experiences during World War II. The Germans are coming! As France falls to the invading army in June 1940, 16 year old Elisabeth Kaufmann must decide whether to stay or go. How ...
08.08.2019 52. Luncheon of the Boating Party Hot fun in the summertime! Island getaways, floating bars and the birth of Renoir's "Luncheon Of the Boating Party".
07.18.2019 51. Our Third Anniversary! Listener Q&A The Land of Desire is three years old! We're celebrating with a listener Q&A episode - book recommendations, cocktails of choice, and very serious Disney questions!
07.10.2019 Reminder: Listener Q&A Reminder to submit questions for my upcoming listener Q&A - and an update about last episode's surprise ending.
06.27.2019 50. Notre Dame, Part 3: The Black Death After enjoying the fruits of her first true Golden Age, France faces her worst challenge yet - the fourteenth century. Religious warfare, dynastic collapse and overcrowding all kill the vibe, and 1348 brings the worst news of all: the Black ...
05.16.2019 49. Notre Dame, Part 2 This week we're paying tribute to Notre Dame Cathedral. I’ll be skipping around to the most important interactions between Notre Dame and her hometown. At each point, I’ll try to paint a picture of Paris as she was at that ...
05.09.2019 48. Notre Dame, Part 1 This week we're paying tribute to Notre Dame Cathedral. I’ll be skipping around to the most important interactions between Notre Dame and her hometown. At each point, I’ll try to paint a picture of Paris as she was at that ...
03.28.2019 47. The History of the Bánh Mì This week, we’re taking an up-close look at the uglier side of French history: imperialism, racism, xenophobia, and the resilience of the communities who have had to survive under French power. The tale of the banh mi is a tale ...
02.21.2019 46. Choupette, The Most Glamorous Cat In The World G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S.
01.17.2019 45. The Mysterious Life of Jeanne Calment Vincent van Gogh, the world's oldest human, and conspiracy theories wrapped up inside more conspiracy theories. Happy new year - The Land of Desire is back!
11.22.2018 44. Napoleon’s Tiniest Campaign, Part 2 This is the story of what happens when the world’s greatest ambition is thwarted by the world’s most inescapable obstacle: bureaucracy. This story has it all: double-crossing, surprise comebacks, and petty warfare - no, I mean really petty warfare.
10.04.2018 43. Napoleon’s Tiniest Campaign This is the story of what happens when the world’s greatest ambition is thwarted by the world’s most inescapable obstacle: bureaucracy. This story has it all: double-crossing, surprise comebacks, and petty warfare - no, I mean really petty warfare. SHOW ...
08.16.2018 42. The History of Champagne Cheers! We're celebrating the 2nd anniversary of The Land of Desire with the world's favorite party drink: champagne! We'll explore the mystery and the myth behind this French classic. Why do we drink champagne at weddings? Why do we smash ...
07.12.2018 41. Julia Child, Part 3 At last! Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking (spoiler alert) finally gets published - and launches Julia into superstardom. From books to TV to newspapers and more, Julia changes the way America eats, drinks, and thinks about food ...
07.12.2018 40. Julia Child, Part 2 We're back! The story of Julia Child continues as the ex-OSS operative adjusts to civilian life, one failed hobby at a time. When Julia finally discovers her great life's passion, what will she do with it? SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2018/07/12/julia-child-2/
03.01.2018 39. Julia Child, Part 1 "If you're afraid of butter, use cream." CIA operative, adventurer, world changing cook: Learn the improbable story of the late, great Julia Child! SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2018/03/01/julia-child-1/ ‎
01.01.2018 38. A Tour de France – Brittany Today we'll finish tracing the route of the original Tour de France, traveling through the "in between places" - the vast countryside which traditionally held most of the French population. On y va! SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2018/01/01/episode-38-a-tou…-france-brittany/
12.21.2017 37. A Tour de France – Bordeaux Continuing our tour of the French countryside, this week we discuss the phylloxera epidemic which almost wiped out French wine forever. Zut alors! SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/12/21/episode-36-a-tou…-france-bordeaux/
12.14.2017 36. A Tour de France – Toulouse This week we'll continue our miniseries: "A Tour de France": What kind of France exists outside the boundaries of Paris? What kind of France exists in the middle of the countryside? What does someone in Paris have in common with ...
11.09.2017 35. A Tour de France – Marseille This week we continue our tour of France with a trip to the great melting pot of Marseille. Spices, silks, ideas, and people passed through her ancient port - as well as one seriously unwanted guest. Along the way, we'll ...
10.26.2017 34. A Tour de France – Lyon This week, we continue our petit Tour de France to Lyon, where we leave the cityfolk behind and try our best to meet the isolated peasants of the countryside, trying to make a franc out of 15 centimes. SHOW NOTES: ...
10.12.2017 33. A Tour de France – Montgeron We're launching our own Tour de France! For the next six episodes, we'll be tracing the route of the original race, traveling through the "in between places" - the vast countryside which traditionally held most of the French population. Beginning ...
09.14.2017 32. Le Code du Travail The book which represents everything brilliant and everything broken about France is overdue for an edit - and it's sending people into the streets! SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/09/14/code-du-travail/
08.31.2017 31. Le Train Bleu In Jazz Age France, anyone who was anyone could do anything and everything. Join Coco Chanel, F. Scott Fitzgerald and more aboard the Blue Train to paradise! SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/08/31/episode-31-le-train-bleu/
08.10.2017 30. The History Of The Picnic France is a moveable feast - aristocrats al fresco, one very scandalous luncheon & a meal the length of France itself! Also, this week, I'm announcing an exciting new treat to celebrate the first successful Patreon fundraising campaign - and ...
07.27.2017 29. The Caves of Lascaux A look at the most famous - and most mysterious - animal kingdom in French history. SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/07/27/episode-29-lascaux/
07.13.2017 28. Bon Anniversaire! It's been a wild ride so far, and I want to celebrate! In this week's anniversary extravaganza I'm answering questions from you, dear listeners, and I'm making some BIG announcements! SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/07/13/episode-28-one-year-anniversary/
06.29.2017 27. We’ll Always Have Paris – Paris Syndrome Vacation, all I ever wanted. Vacation, have to get away! SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/06/29/episode-27-paris-syndrome/
06.08.2017 26. We’ll Always Have Paris – A Visit from Hitler What happens when your conquerors are also your customers? How do you defend your country if the other side is keeping your economy afloat? And what if the best way to keep your city safe...is to allow your greatest enemy ...
05.25.2017 25. We’ll Always Have Paris – The Ritz Paris Bar Bottoms up! We duck behind the counter to learn the antics, escapades and espionage of the Hotel Ritz Paris bar. Salut! SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/05/25/episode-25-hotel-ritz-paris-bar/
05.11.2017 24. We’ll Always Have Paris – Love Locks Tourist season is here, and Parisian officials are on the lookout for a harmless fad that became a dangerous faux pas. Learn the not-so-ancient history of the love lock, and why you should definitely leave yours at home! SHOW NOTES: ...
04.25.2017 23. Four’s Company – The Scandalous House of Claude Monet Claude Monet's love life was like his paintings: From far away, it's OK. But up close? It's a big old mess. SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/04/25/episode-23-fours…any-claude-monet/
04.06.2017 22. The Sweet Life of French Bees The charming story of Parisian beekeepers - you'll never guess where they keep their hives! SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/04/06/episode-22-french-bees/
03.23.2017 21. The Road To Hell – Entering the Catacombs We're goin' down, down, down into the catacombs of Paris: sinkholes, skeletons and secret societies, oh my! SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/03/23/paris-catacombs/
03.09.2017 20. The Three Alexandres, Part 4 – The Playwright Alexandre Dumas fils creates one of the world's great romances...while turning his back on love... SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/03/09/episode-20-alexandre-dumas-part-4/
02.23.2017 19. The Three Alexandres, Part 3 – The Author The Land of Desire: A French History Podcast. Large And In Charge: The women, wine and waistlines of the legendary Alexandre Dumas. SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/02/23/episode-19-alexandre-dumas-part-3/
02.02.2017 18. The Three Alexandres, Part 2 – The General, continued. This week, we'll conclude the story of Alexandre Dumas, the general - having risen to the top of the French revolutionary army, no one could have foreseen the ways in which this 18th century Superman - and the nation of ...
01.19.2017 17. The Three Alexandres, Part 1 – The General Alexandre Dumas the war hero, one of the most celebrated generals of his age, who made one tiny mistake and ticked off a colleague of his...who happened to become the most powerful person in Europe. Uh oh. SHOW NOTES: http://www.thelandofdesire.com/2017/01/19/alexandre-dumas-1/

Older episodes

The Land of Desire: French History and Culture

What's The Land of Desire: French History and Culture about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Land of Desire: French History and Culture episodes:

65. A Trip to the Spa

64. Louis Pasteur and The History of the Vaccine

63. Jeanne de Clisson and the Black Fleet

62. Surya Bonaly

61. Euro Disney

60. The History of Madeleines

59. Women At War BONUS: The Witness (Rose Valland)

58. Women At War 5: The Survivor II (Marie-José Wilborts)

57. Women At War 5: The Survivor I (Marie-José Wilborts)

56. Women At War 4: The Résistante (Jacqueline Marié)

55. Women At War 3: The Collaborator (Coco Chanel)

54. Women At War 2: The Schoolteacher (Berthe Auroy)

53. Women At War 1: The Exile (Elisabeth Kaufmann)

52. Luncheon of the Boating Party

51. Our Third Anniversary! Listener Q&A

Reminder: Listener Q&A

50. Notre Dame, Part 3: The Black Death

49. Notre Dame, Part 2

48. Notre Dame, Part 1

47. The History of the Bánh Mì

46. Choupette, The Most Glamorous Cat In The World

45. The Mysterious Life of Jeanne Calment

44. Napoleon’s Tiniest Campaign, Part 2

43. Napoleon’s Tiniest Campaign

42. The History of Champagne

41. Julia Child, Part 3

40. Julia Child, Part 2

39. Julia Child, Part 1

38. A Tour de France – Brittany

37. A Tour de France – Bordeaux

36. A Tour de France – Toulouse

35. A Tour de France – Marseille

34. A Tour de France – Lyon

33. A Tour de France – Montgeron

32. Le Code du Travail

31. Le Train Bleu

30. The History Of The Picnic

29. The Caves of Lascaux

28. Bon Anniversaire!

27. We’ll Always Have Paris – Paris Syndrome

26. We’ll Always Have Paris – A Visit from Hitler

25. We’ll Always Have Paris – The Ritz Paris Bar

24. We’ll Always Have Paris – Love Locks

23. Four’s Company – The Scandalous House of Claude Monet

22. The Sweet Life of French Bees

21. The Road To Hell – Entering the Catacombs

20. The Three Alexandres, Part 4 – The Playwright

19. The Three Alexandres, Part 3 – The Author

18. The Three Alexandres, Part 2 – The General, continued.

17. The Three Alexandres, Part 1 – The General

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