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PODCAST

French connections

FRANCE 24 English

A quirky, insider"s guide to understanding France and the French, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Thursday at 1:45pm. And join us for French Connections Plus on the last Thursday of the month at 4:15pm.

news & politics

All Episodes

00:12:22

Paris neighbourhoods: Exploring the hip 11th...

French connections ·

2025/10/30

In this French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the little-known 11th arrondissement. It's off the typical tourist track, but a favourite for locals. That's because the 11th is undoubtedly one of the coolest parts of town, full of trendy cafés, a dynamic food scene and wild nightlife. It's been a magnet for revellers for centuries, as well as a hotbed of popular revolt. Join us on this discovery tour of Paris's 11th arrondissement –

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00:07:08

Louvre Unlocked: A Tour of the World’s Greatest Museum

French connections ·

2025/10/24

The Louvre museum has been in the spotlight recently following a spectacular jewelry heist, so in this week’s show we wanted to take a step back and take a closer look at the museum itself.The Louvre is the museum of all the superlatives as it is the biggest and most visited in the world. Its collection is truly staggering even if one painting sticks out as a crowd-pleaser: the mysterious Mona Lisa. How much does it cost to operate the museum and is its business model sustainable?

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00:06:49

Beyond Disneyland Paris: Exploring French amusement...

French connections ·

2025/10/09

France may be known for its chateaux, cuisine and couture, but it is also quietly home to one of Europe's most varied amusement park industries. France has a network of theme parks – les parcs d'attractions – that in many ways reflect the country's contradictions: you've got global glamour next to local pride, high technology alongside nostalgic myth-making. Buckle up and join us on this wild ride around French amusement parks.

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00:06:23

Freedom of speech: Can you say anything you want in...

French connections ·

2025/10/02

In this week's show, we take a deep dive into freedom of speech. It's been in the news stateside following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the temporary suspension of stand-up comedian Jimmy Kimmel. In France, free speech is seen as a fundamental freedom that dates back to the Revolution of 1789. It is often described as a "liberté surveillée" (a supervised freedom) because while it grants wide-ranging freedom, it also sets strict legal limits. In France, freedom of

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00:12:19

Paris neighbourhoods: Inside the luxurious 8th...

French connections ·

2025/09/26

In this French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the 8th arrondissement. It has the most employees in the capital – but the fewest inhabitants! This key business district is renowned for its high-end hotels and boutiques, bringing visitors in from around the world to marvel at France's most luxurious goods. But the area is perhaps best known for having the most beautiful avenue in the world – the famous Champs-Élysées. Join us on this

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00:06:25

The toughest job in France? Exploring the role of...

French connections ·

2025/09/11

In this week's show we put the spotlight on how French institutions work, particularly the role of prime minister. Stuck between an all-powerful president pulling the strings, a turbulent parliament trying to topple you and critical media holding you accountable, some have gone so far as to describe Matignon, the prime minister's residence, as a "hell". So is being PM the toughest job in France? FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot has been finding out.

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00:06:48

C'est la rentrée! Exploring France's post-summer...

French connections ·

2025/09/04

This week on French Connections we explore "la rentrée", the renaissance that takes place after France's summer shutdown. Children return to school, politicians scheme about the year to come and people get back to work. While some experience a "rentrée blues", others take the opportunity to make a fresh set of resolutions.

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00:12:19

Paris neighbourhoods: Exploring the dynamic 19th...

French connections ·

2025/08/28

In this edition of French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in one of the fastest-growing districts in the capital: the 19th. Located in the northeastern part of Paris, you’d be forgiven if you'd never heard of this district as it’s not a popular stop on the tourist track. While it may not have any notable monuments, the 19ème still has so much to offer! It's actually quite the hidden gem, where you can get a genuine taste of Paris in all

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00:06:51

Tour de France: A cycling race and an annual celebration

French connections ·

2025/07/10

This week, we focus on a French sporting institution that comes around once a year: the Tour de France. It's considered one of the most difficult and most prestigious cycling races in the world. We tell you some of the specifics of the "Grande Boucle", like the different jerseys to look out for. Part of the reason the race is so popular is because the whole atmosphere is electric. But the Tour de France is so much more than just a cycling competition – it's also a celebration of France.

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00:06:29

How French attitudes to cigarettes are changing

French connections ·

2025/07/03

You might picture the stereotypical French person wearing a beret, with a glass of wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other. But does France deserve its chain-smoking reputation? While many tourists say large numbers of smokers are one of the first things they notice in France, statistics show that their number is in fact dropping dramatically. So what steps has the government taken to get people to stop smoking? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections

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00:12:30

Paris neighbourhoods: Discovering the ancient 5th...

French connections ·

2025/06/26

In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot take you to the oldest district in Paris: the fifth arrondissement. First built by the Romans as part of the ancient city of Lutetia, the 5th is also a very young area, filled with students from several top universities and some of the best prep schools in France. The area is a window into Arab culture as well. It's home to both France's biggest mosque and the incredible Arab World Institute. Join us for a tour of the Latin

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00:06:47

France's baccalaureate: The hardest high school exam...

French connections ·

2025/06/12

For many French people, passing the national end-of-high-school exam, known as the Baccalaureate or "Bac", is an important rite of passage. The French love to brag about the "Bac" and how difficult it is, since this implies French pupils are smart. But with so many people passing the diploma, has it lost its value? Recently, the government completely reformed the Bac to make it a "springboard to success". Will it retain its egalitarian – albeit stressful – appeal? We take a closer look in this

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00:06:35

The seventh art: Why France shines on the silver screen

French connections ·

2025/06/05

France is the birthplace of cinema. Some 130 years later, the love of the silver screen is still very strong. The state has set up a special system to promote, protect and finance French films. Thanks to this system, France releases a large number of quality films that wouldn't otherwise be made, enabling them to compete with Hollywood. Join us as we take a deep dive into le cinéma français.

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00:12:24

Paris neighbourhoods: Exploring the trendy and...

French connections ·

2025/05/30

In this French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in a once-gritty, now-trendy district: the 12th arrondissement. Situated in the east of the French capital, the area was exempt from taxation for generations, making it a haven for both artisans and incredible markets like the marché d’Aligre, one of the oldest in Paris. The 12th is filled with culture and history as well. The incredible Bastille opera house was built to celebrate the

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00:06:30

The price of Paris: What does it cost to live in the...

French connections ·

2025/05/15

Paris is a popular tourist destination and many people dream about moving to the City of Light permanently. But how much does it actually cost to live in the French capital? Paris is not only the most expensive place to live in France, it’s one of the world’s priciest cities to reside in. Whether it's food, entertainment, healthcare, transport or most importantly housing, the cost of living is high. Why is it so pricey? And what are public officials doing to try to stop the city from turning into a

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00:13:15

Paris neighbourhoods: Discovering the sophisticated...

French connections ·

2025/04/24

In this edition of French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in one the capital’s most sophisticated arrondissements: the 7th. The area is rich with political and military history and filled with monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the gold-domed Invalides, where Napoleon is buried. It’s also rich, full stop! The 7th has been home to the French upper classes since the 17th century and that opulence is reflected in its many mansions that

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00:06:25

Flying bells! How the French celebrate Easter

French connections ·

2025/04/17

Like other historically Catholic countries, France is a big fan of Easter, which is known here as Pâques. Traditionally, families gather for a big meal that usually involves lamb in some form. French children go on egg hunts, but flying bells – not the Easter bunny – deliver chocolate treats. Meanwhile, public religious ceremonies are common across the country, but how is that compatible with France's strict secular laws? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

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00:06:17

Red bible: How the Michelin Guide rules the...

French connections ·

2025/04/10

Considered the standard bearer for haute cuisine, France's Michelin Red Guide is the oldest hotel and restaurant guide in Europe. Its annual release is like the Oscars of gastronomy, sparking a major media frenzy and fierce debates about which chefs have won and lost the coveted "stars". So how does the guide rate restaurants? And is it too competitive? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

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00:12:27

Paris neighbourhoods: Exploring the trendy and iconic...

French connections ·

2025/03/27

In this edition of French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in one of the most beautiful and exciting arrondissements of the capital: the fourth. This district has so much packed into it! It’s where you'll find City Hall, Notre-Dame Cathedral and museums like the Centre Pompidou. The 4th is also home to Le Marais, a trendy neighbourhood known for its historic charm and vibrant cultural scene. Join us as we explore the iconic landmarks and

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00:06:30

Becoming French: What it takes to become a citizen in...

French connections ·

2025/03/20

This week, we're focusing on citizenship. France is one of the more generous nations in Europe when it comes to granting citizenship to foreigners living there. But what does it take to become one? We break down the different paths to citizenship and the advantages that come once you've jumped through all the administrative hoops.

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