The Imaginary Frenchman

It's not Julia Child! Sorry. More than just about anyone, Auguste Escoffier changed the cooking profession, restaurants, how we eat, and what we eat. Along the way, he interacted with kings and emperors, famous stars and producers, and even flirted with scandal. This episode tells how he, along with a very famous name in hotels, redefined luxury and changed who had access to the best of the best.In my Francophile Pick of the Week, I offer a personal message for these challenging times.

The Louvre is arguably the greatest museum in the world. In this podcast you'll learn how it took 800 years to build, the surprising fact behind its name, how much of its collection was gathered, and a few interesting anecdotes about the woman with a mysterious smile who is its most famous resident.

Thanks to an updated poll, I can tell you about the ten most popular women in France. Movie stars! Comedians! Singers! Activists! Romantic entanglements! Ranging in age from 23 to 91 years old! (Plus, just a little about some men.)

THE LITTLE PRINCE is the most translated book in the world, after THE BIBLE. In this episode, you'll learn about the man who wrote it and get an introduction to the book itself. Along the way, you may even pick up some knowledge about French aviation history. And remember: What's essential is invisible to the eye!

What's more idyllic than sitting at café in Paris on a sunny day and watching the world go by? In this episode, I'll give you a history of cafés in Paris, and talk about some famous spots near the Boulevard St. Germain and Montparnasse. Be prepared to hear many famous names!

This week, it's personal. Please take some time to get to know me better. I tell you about my love affair with France: when the seeds of my interest were planted, how it blossomed, how I tended it, and how it continues to decorate my life.

An American in Paris! Charade! Ratatouille! These and other films give us romantic visions of life in France (and Paris, of course). In this week's podcast, the Imaginary Frenchman recommends several films in which a Francophile can alleviate, albeit briefly, a yearning for a visit to France through the magic of cinema.

Bonne année! For the first podcast of the Imaginary Frenchman in 2020, I'm going to talk about traditional French dishes, a few of them familiar, and some of them less well-known outside of France. Along the way, I share memories of my own "encounters" with these foods, and also give you a quick rundown of the most popular traditional meals in France. Bon appétit!

This episode includes some basic knowledge necessary to understand French wine: how the French name their wines, where you find the most noted varietals, the concept of terroir, three major wine classifications, and some advice on buying French wine if you're not an expert and don't live in France. I also recommend a book, CORK DORK, for an entertaining glimpse into the training of a sommelier.

As a follow-up to the last Imaginary Frenchman episode, I highlight the best French television series that are available to watch on streaming services outside of France. There are espionage shows, police dramas, historical series, and more. I also offer an update on changes at the Académie française, with a swerve to the Pivot Questionnaire, a fun exercise.

In this podcast, the Imaginary Frenchman analyzes the top 100 programs in France from last year. You'll learn about what US programs are popular, what French programs are the most successful, and how you can watch many of them. 

Something happens every autumn in France. Hundreds of books are published in anticipation of winning one of several literary prizes that will be awarded. In this episode, the Imaginary Frenchman will talk about la Rentrée Litteraire and the Prix Goncourt, which is the highest accolade that a book can win. Go a little mad for books!

There's no more iconic French food than a good old loaf of French bread: the baguette. In this week's episode, I'll give you the history of the baguette, its uses, some additional information about other kinds of French bread, the laws concerning it, my own attempt to bake a loaf, and more. After that, I'll tell you what hot French films are opening soon in the U.S. and elsewhere.

How big is France? Which came first: the French Revolution or Napoleon? Why is it called the Eiffel Tower? This episode covers some of the most basic information about France in a fun and easy quiz! And learn where you can take a great college course about French history for free. 

In Episode Four of the Imaginary Frenchman, my exploration of French cinema takes us to a discussion of one of the most popular French films of all time, LES ENFANTS DU PARADISE, or, as it is known in English, CHILDREN OF PARADISE. Some call it the French GONE WITH THE WIND. You can learn about the movie's plot, its actors and creators, its production and release, and its critical reception. I think it's the best French movie ever!Also, my Francophile pick of the week will lead you to a playlist that can take you away to Paris.

This week I count down the ten greatest French movies of all time, as determined by a survey of critics around the world. The discussion includes background on some very famous directors and episodes in cinematic history. I will also talk about a book that combines culinary history with the story of France in my Francophile pick of the week.Information about the music used in the podcast is available on my website, ImaginaryFrenchman.com

In this episode, the Imaginary Frenchman talks about Marcel Proust, the greatest French novelist of the 20th century. A brief biography is followed by an introduction to Proust's great novel IN SEARCH OF LOST TIME.Music credits available on my website, ImaginaryFrenchman.com

In this first episode of the Imaginary Frenchman, I tell you about the most popular personalities in France. And I also offer a little recommendation for you to indulge your interest in all things French!Music credits available on my website, ImaginaryFrenchman.com