In Martine Gaussen’s childhood, traditional French santons — handmade nativity figures — were a key that unlocked the magic of Christmas. But decades after the magic has dulled and adult responsibilities have taken over, can Martine rediscover the curiosity and creativity that defined the holidays of her youth? A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3rRYymq.

A young boy in the south of France discovers an unexpected passion for bees and beekeeping. But he’s not prepared for the heartbreak he’ll face when he leaves his little buzzing companions over the summer... A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3rS6R1w.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting December 15, 2020. Listen to the trailer now!

After his grandparents’ deaths, 20-year-old Damien Bouché uncovers a family secret from World War II. He spends the next 10 years unearthing the past, from Vienna to the south of France, in a fight to regain his true family name. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3GZqStj.

When Vincent-Gabriel Lamarre joined the Canadian Armed Forces, he knew he had found his calling. But a few years into his service, he realized he could no longer ignore the discomfort he felt about his gender identity. Would a gender transition be accepted in the military? After the episode, learn more about Vincent-Gabriel’s journey here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/tigars. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3HkH4pn.

A young dancer discovers French Cancan in the 1960s, leading her to an exciting international career…and the love of her life. When a tragic loss rips the joy of dancing from her, cancan slowly helps her find a renewed sense of self. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3ACl2vK.

When a young attorney from Chad decided to take on the ex-dictator who terrorized her country, she knew she was going up against dark and powerful forces. But that didn’t stop her from dedicating her life to fighting for justice in her homeland. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3fXuAaY.

Najib Nasary left his native Afghanistan in search of a fresh start in France. He had nothing, knew no one, and faced the threat of deportation. But when a village in France’s Cévennes mountains took him in, he finally found a new home…and a new passion for baking French bread. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3rMjM52.

When Valérie Hirschfield lost her leg, she made a promise to her family that she would bounce back stronger than ever — a promise that would one day lead her to race up France’s most iconic monument. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3H41se7.

Emel Mathlouthi left her home country of Tunisia so that she could sing openly about bringing freedom to her people. But that didn’t stop her from participating in the seismic revolution that was taking place back home. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3AOkKSB.