The New Paris Podcast

There’s nothing like leaving Paris for a short time to reset perspectives. I’ve recently returned from 10 days in New York and the Philadelphia region and I was struck by how worn and behind both destinations felt. Part of that is lingering socio-economic impact of the pandemic, and part of it may be insufficient funds devoted to much-needed improvements to public services and transportation. It only served to amplify how good we have it in Paris where major infrastructural investment and urban rehabilitation policies have shaped the city. To talk about this, I'm joined by my friend Brent Longley, an urbanist who moved to Paris a year ago with fervent support for Mayor Hidalgo and her transformative policies. We discuss Paris as a global leader in urban transformation, the opposition that still exists to some of the changes underway, and where the Olympics fits into the equation of a sustainable metropolis.  Mentioned in this episode: Brent Longley, urbanist The Tryphena Project, Brent's newsletter Infill architecture Paris 2024 Olympic Games Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠Music by Little Glass Men

Paris has always been a refuge for foreigners. For a lifetime for some, for a chapter of their lives for others. One of my very best friends in Paris was drawn to many of the qualities that I’ve described on the show over the years (and in The New Paris book) and falls into one of those categories. Like me, she’s been an avid storyteller and reporter covering the many ways that old meets new in the city and how it’s changed over the years. But now, she’s gearing up to leave which is exciting for her and sad for those who love her here. It seemed like the right time to have her on the show to talk about that particular Paris experience, and all of the things she’s seen change in the almost decade that she's lived here. And we made it nearly to the end without tears! Mentioned in this episode: Sara Lieberman Sara's newsletter Overthinking It Sara on Instagram Sara's GQ story on Mayor Hidalgo's swimmer son Hire Sara! Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠⁠Music by Little Glass Men⁠

Welcome to the end of 2023! Let's take a look back at the challenging, protest-heavy, crisis-generating year in Paris and beyond, with a few thoughts for 2024. Bonnes fêtes et bonne année! Season 8 will begin in the second half of January. Buy my book: The New Paris Buy my book: The New Parisienne Follow me on social: @LindseyTramuta Follow the show: @TheNewParisPodcast Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan Music by Little Glass Men

Paris has a long legacy not merely as a world capital of culture but as a literary capital. Some of the world’s greatest writers and thinkers have created some of their best work in or about Paris and found homes for it in bookstores, to be sure, but also libraries. Two years ago I interviewed the bestselling author Janet Skeslien Charles on this show about her novel The Paris Library (Episode 74) but today I’m excited to be joined by the executive director of The American Library in Paris Audrey Chapuis, someone I’ve had the great pleasure of collaborating with over the years as I’ve spoken at the library about my own work and moderated discussions for other authors. This fall, we were among the inaugural speakers at the Angers English language Literary Festival and Audrey spoke at length. In this conversation, we talk about her library path, bookish culture in Paris, the role that libraries play in the world and the role that this library has played since 1920, and much more. Mentioned in this episode: Audrey Chapuis The American Library in Paris Become a member Make a donation Proust and the Squid Sara Georgini Viet Thanh Nguyen Hala Alyan Kirstin Chen and Grace Ly in conversation On the Road events The BNF Galignani Bookstore Joan by Katherine Chen The Curse of the Marquis de Sade by Joel Warner Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠⁠Music by Little Glass Men⁠

It’s the week of thanksgiving and that seems like an appropriate time to bring back an American friend. Amanda Bankert is a previous guest of this show (episode 8!) and the owner and pastry chef behind Boneshaker, the only donut shop in Paris worth your time, money, and sweet tooth. She’s also just released her first book in English called Voilà Vegan. We talk about how she got into baking, becoming vegan, how easy it is to find veggie or vegan food in Paris these days, and why all of this fits into evolving tastes in the food capital. Mentioned in this episode: Boneshaker Donuts & Coffee Boneshaker on Instagram Buy Voila Vegan Jah Jah Faubourg Daimant Plan D  VG Pâtisserie  Land & Monkeys  Tekés Le Petit Monstre, Brooklyn The Southern V, Nashville  Chambelland (gluten-free bakery) Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠⁠Music by Little Glass Men⁠

I have been waiting to talk about the new book by today’s guest for years. Actually, since I met him some 7 years ago when he was already hard at work researching it. Jon Bonné has worked as a journalist for three decades and currently serves as the managing editor at RESY. He is, particularly for wine lovers, best known for his wine reporting and two essential wine books :The New California Wine and The New Wine Rules, which has sold more than 50,000 copies and has been adapted into numerous languages. But his latest, The New French Wine, which came out earlier this year, is his most deeply researched, chef d’oeuvre that tells the groundbreaking tale of the world's greatest wine culture at a moment of profound change. What follows was recorded several weeks ago when I had the great honor of leading a discussion with Jon about this immense project at The American Library in Paris.  Mentioned in this episode: The New French Wine Jon Bonné (On Instagram) Resy New York Times/Eric Asimov review of the book *Watch my conversation with Jon on YouTube Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠⁠Music by Little Glass Men⁠

If you spend any amount of time on social media, chances are good you’ve come across the very viral videos of today’s guest. Cécilia Jourdan is a language teacher, content creator and entrepreneur who started Hello French in 2020 with an Instagram account that has since become a full blown business. She joins me today to talk about her trajectory from Paris to New York and in between, building a linguistic career, and what words and ideas seem to cut through the noise most on social media.  Mentioned in this episode: Hello French NYC Hello French on Instagram & TikTok The most viral video (on parenting) on Hello French Cécilia Jourdan in Le Monde

In the previous episode, you heard from four incredibly smart people invested in both raising awareness and pushing for change when it comes to the fashion industry as a whole. But what practical steps are needed? In this episode, I'm joined again by Aja Barber, Khémäis Ben Lakhdar, and Esha Chhabra to talk about accountability, transparency, decolonization, brands that are doing things right, and slowing down our own consumption as a means to extract ourselves from the performative cycle of fashion. Guests Aja Barber, activist, consultant and author of Consumed  Khémaïs Ben Lakhdar, fashion historian, lecturer, & PhD candidate at Paris-1 La Sorbonne Esha Chhabra, journalist and author of Working to Restore Mentioned in this episode Vogue Business Story on Post-Purchase Technology The Ugly History of Beautiful Things book Decolonizing Fashion Veja Nisolo Terra Thread Grace Wales Bonner Jamini  Habile  Nona Source About a Worker Special thanks to Matthew Jordan for producing and editing this episode.

(Special two-part episode!) Every season, all eyes are on the Parisian runways as onlookers try to get a peak at what big and disruptive trends await for the following year. But few know about the history of how this industry came to be, the role of colonialism in its development, and how the industry upholds many of the same ideas and practices today. As you will discover, the legacy of colonialism lives on within the fashion industry, and not only in France. You’re going to hear from a fashion historian, environmental journalists, and activists over the course of the next two episodes who will help me unpack the darker side to la mode, why it’s crucial to amend old ways and correct for generations of unethical labor and overproduction, and what the idea of decolonizing fashion really means. GUESTS Aja Barber, activist and author of Consumed  Khémaïs Ben Lakhdar, fashion historian, lecturer, & PhD candidate at Paris-1 La Sorbonne Esha Chhabra, journalist and author of Working to Restore Catherine Dauriac, President of Fashion REvolution France  SOURCES The King of Couture: The Atlantic The Empire of Fashion and the Rise of Capitalism in 18th century France (William H. Sewell) Colonialism's Clothing (Victoria L. Rovine) Aja on Al Jazeera Tiffanie Darke's Substack "It's Not Sustainable"  Clothing landfills in Ghana's textile market Waste Colonialism Special thanks to Matthew Jordan for producing and editing this episode.

It’s la rentrée! I’m back to my usual home studio and routine which means I’m ready to kick off the fall, and the end of season 7, with some fresh conversations. Let’s kick off September with a friend, entrepreneur and previous guest of this show, Jay Swanson. We’re going to talk about his new project, Paris in My Pocket, Paris news, and what you really need to know if you’re coming to the city this fall.  Mentioned in this episode: Jay Swanson on YouTube Jay Swanson on Instagram Paris in My Pocket Ajiri Aki episode Rugby World Cup The end of e-scooters Chulita (tortas) Thank you to Matthew Jordan for producing and editing this episode.