The New Paris Podcast

It’s been several months since the President threw us into a mess by calling a snap election and in early September, months overdue, Macron finally named a prime minister. What does his choice mean for the country, and what does it signal to voters who cast their ballots for the left coalition? I speak with Alexander Hurst, a writer and columnist for The Guardian whose recent op-ed looks into what went wrong and what issues the new government inherits.  Mentioned or featured in this episode: Alexander Hurst French politics analogy in the Guardian op-ed Alexander's op-ed column for The Guardian French debt French taxes Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠Music by Little Glass Men

After enduring nearly a year of pandemic-related isolation and a punishing lack of human touch, author Glynnis MacNicol boarded a plane for Paris in August, 2021 to sublet a friend’s apartment for the month. She was 47 years old and on a mission—100% enjoyment. An exploration of pleasure. Close contact. Her memoir about this time, called I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself, came out a few months ago and I was delighted to interview her in Paris last week at The Red Wheelbarrow bookstore. This episode is a recording of that conversation. Mentioned in this episode: Glynnic MacNicol Order "I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself" Glynnis's New York Times Op-ed Glynnis on CBS Morning

It’s the end of summer holidays, the city is slowly filling up again and that means, novelty is upon us. I associate this time with new restaurant openings, events, and even pop-ups that will carry us to the end of the year. It’s a return to life. One person who is full of life, with plenty of creative ideas to usher in a new season, is Fanny Boucher. She’s the creator of the jewelry brand Bangla Begum and she joins the show to talk about moving to Paris after high school, becoming an entrepreneur, and developing her personal style while living in Jaipur for nearly a decade.  Mentioned in this episode: ⁠Fanny Boucher⁠ ⁠Bangla Begum⁠ ⁠Visit the atelier⁠ Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠Music by Little Glass Men

After years of planning and a solid 7 months of Parisian complaining, the Olympics are here! Over their history, they have put some tourist destinations on the map, attempted to build unity, and accelerated social and infrastructural change in host cities. Of course, not everyone benefits, and the legacy of the Olympics, including the impact on tourism, is fraught. To discuss both Paris 2024 and the broader issue of tourism, the good, the bad, and the complicated, I'm joined by Paige Mclanahan, a fellow travel journalist and the author of the new book The New Tourist: Waking Up to the Power and Perils of Travel. Mentioned in this episode: Paige McClanahan's work Paige on Instagram The Better Travel Podcast Buy Paige's Book The Case Against Travel essay Copenhagen Rewards Tourists for Good Behavior Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠Music by Little Glass Men⁠

In the last episode, you heard me talk to Katy Lee about the snap elections in France. Why they happened, what they mean, and what party was predicted to perform well in the first round. Now, the day before the second round and not only has everything we discussed come to pass, but the stakes are even higher now. Let's go through the results of the first round, what they mean, and why the far right really does present the same danger it always has for democracy in France. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 133 with Katy Lee Rym Momtaz on CNN Eric Fassin on France 24 1930s Germany French scientist op-ed in Le Monde Lauren Collins' newsletter Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠⁠Music by Little Glass Men⁠

(This episode was recorded on June 14) There's a lot to unpack following President Macron’s decision to dissolve the lower house of parliament and call snap elections for the end of June and there is no one better to dive in with me than journalist and podcaster Katy Lee. We discuss the role of these elections, what Macron’s move means for the country, and the political alliances that have formed in record-breaking time. Is there reason to remain hopeful? Have a listen and find out.  Mentioned in this episode: Katy Lee of The Europeans podcast Katy Lee's Twitter (X) thread The Europeans episode on the European Elections Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠Music by Little Glass Men⁠

There’s something about leaving Paris, even briefly, and returning that makes all of its idiosyncrasies and charms all the more compelling and obvious. And sometimes, it takes talking with someone who is a particularly keen observer of daily life to highlight these elements even further. Seb Emina, today’s guest, is one such example. The writer and former editor of The Happy Reader joins the show to talk about moving from London to Paris, the essence of the Parisian experience, and how he feels about the city hosting the Olympic Games.    Mentioned in this episode: Seb Emina Seb’s Substack: Read Me   The Happy Reader The Gentlewoman Le Musée des Arts Forains  Five Radio Stations Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠Music by Little Glass Men⁠

As much as the Paris food scene has grown increasingly international and casual, fine dining establishments continue to soar. They’ve had to modernize their menus and their approaches to service to stay relevant, but the tasting menu and Michelin-starred experience continues to thrive. However, the way to do that while also opening up the experience to more people who can’t necessarily afford a Michelin meal is by expanding the offering in new ways. Few have done that better than La Tour d’Argent. Find out why and how! Mentioned in this episode: La Tour d'Argent Ratatouille restaurant Thierry Boeuf on La Tour Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠Music by Little Glass Men⁠

When it comes to artistic endeavors, Paris shines bright as a historically welcome place to pursue them. The city that gave us the Louvre and some of the finest galleries in the world is full of creative talent or, at the very least, creative inspiration. But how it feels living and working as an artist in Paris is an altogether different story. Today’s guest trained as an architect but has been working as an illustrator and painter for several years and has a unique viewpoint on the arts. Guillaume Sardin has exhibited his work in Southeast Asia, South Africa, and throughout Europe, created works for French icons like Ruinart and Le Bristol, and talks today about how cultural preservation needs to be a bipartisan ambition.  Mentioned in this episode: Guillaume Sardin (website and Instagram) Nantes School of Architecture Créolization & Edouard Glissant French ministry of culture history Pierre Paulin room at the Elysée Palace Aya Nakamura and the Olympics Rachida Dati as Cultural Minister Stendhal's Syndrome Château d'Écouen- Renaissance Museum Château de Maisons Villa Savoye Château Rosa Bonheur Malmaison & Josephine Palais de la Porte Dorée History of Immigration Museum André and Ivana Lemaître Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan Music by Little Glass Men

Running a business in Paris is a dream for some, a hardship for others. But for today’s guest, Jane Bertch, it has been a variety of things including life changing. 15 years ago she confounded La Cuisine Paris, a French cooking school that is still going strong. She talks about the journey to Paris and running a cooking school in her book: The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time which hits shelves April 9. Our conversation covers the Jane from Chicago to the Jane of Paris, starting and running a business, lessons from locals, and writing a memoir.  Mentioned in this episode: Episode 9 with Jane Bertch Jane's book: The French Ingredient La Cuisine Paris cooking classes La Cuisine Paris on Instagram Jane Bertch on Instagram