The Earful Tower: Paris

Paris Bucket List: Things to do in 2024

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

IT'S BACK AGAIN! Every year we make a bucket list of things we want to try for the first time in Paris. In this episode, you'll hear Oliver and Lina...

ABC review: Answering 15 questions from YOU

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The season is over, the year is over. It's time for a little reflection. In this episode I answer 15 audience questions about our epic ABCson. All the...

Zinc: A close-up on the iconic Paris rooftops

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Z is for Zinc. In this season finale episode, we tackle the topic of zinc, which is used to make 75 percent of the Paris rooftops. I chat with Const...

Yesteryear: Paris impressions from the 1980s, 70s, and 60s

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Y is for Yesteryear. In this episode, I chat with two long-time Paris residents about their first impressions of the city. First, you'll hear from A...

Xmas party: Our epic Christmas walking tour of Paris

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

X is for Xmas, obviously. In this episode, we share what happened on our eXciting and eXhausting and eXhilarating Christmas walk around the Pantheon. ...

Wall of Paris: New finds along the ancient Philippe Auguste Wall

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

W is for Wall. In this episode, I take you for an exciting and historic walk through the Left Bank of Paris to discover hidden vestiges of the Philipp...

Vegan Paris: How well does Paris do vegan food?

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

V is for Vegan. In this episode, we talk to Amanda Bankert, the owner of Boneshaker Donuts, who has just released a book called Voilà Vegan (double V...

Underground Paris: What's underneath the French capital?

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

U is for Underground. In this episode, we take you below Paris: On the Metro, through the sewers, and into the (illegal) catacombs. Mentioned in this ...

Tour d'Argent: Dining at the iconic Michelin restaurant in Paris

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

T is for Tour d'Argent. In this episode, we take you inside the famed Tour d'Argent restaurant on the Left Bank of Paris, and you'll hear from me and ...

Sainte-Chapelle: Inside the great Paris chapel

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

S is for Sainte-Chapelle. In this episode, I'll take you inside this ancient royal chapel with its incredible stained glass windows. You'll hear from ...

Richelieu: An epic Paris library (and its exceptional museum)

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

R is for Richelieu. In this episode, we'll take you inside the newly renovated Richelieu Library, and then its incredible upstairs museum. This epis...

Queer Paris: What has become of the gay quarter of Paris?

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Q is for Queer. In this episode, I'll give you an insight into Gay Paris. And by gay I mean LGBTQIA+. Where is the gay quarter... or perhaps a better ...

Provence: A beginner's guide to the region

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

P is for Provence. In this episode, you'll hear some thoughts on the lovely southern French region, with the help of some great guests. First, you'l...

Olympics in Paris: A first glimpse at what we expect

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

O is for the Olympic Games. In this episode, you'll hear my first look ahead to the 2024 summer Olympics. Given it is still so far away, this is mor...

Notre Dame: What's happening?

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

N is for the Notre Dame. In this episode, you'll hear about where we're at with the restoration of the Notre Dame cathedral. Short answer: It will reo...

Marais: How I'd spend my last day there

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

M is for the Marais. In this episode, you'll hear my thoughts on how I'd spend a perfect last day in the Marais district of Paris (in other words, the...

Mid-season reflection and what's next

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A bit of reflection as we reach the halfway point of this AB-Season. As I said in the episode, a big thanks to musician Pres Maxson, photographer Augu...

Lyon: How to spend 48 hours in France's gastronomic capital

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

L is for Lyon. In this episode, you'll hear about my experiences after spending 48 hours in Lyon with Lovely Lina. There's also some local insights ...

Kylie: The crocodile swimming in Paris

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

K is for Kylie the Crocodile in Paris. In this episode, you'll hear a brand new twist in the story of Kylie the Crocodile. This episode was taken fr...

Jewish Paris: Famous falafels to moving museums

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

J is for Jewish Paris. In this episode, I take you walking through the Jewish quarter of Paris to try to understand what's going on there. Edith de ...

Ile Saint-Louis: The most beautiful walk in Paris

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I is for Ile Saint-Louis - an island in the Seine. As far as I'm concerned, it features the most beautiful walk in Paris. In this episode, I take yo...

Haussmann: The man who remade Paris

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

H is for Haussmann - Baron Haussmann that is. He was the urban planner behind the redesign of Paris under Napoleon III. But what is a Haussmannian b...

Guimard: The architect who brought Art Nouveau to Paris

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

G is for Guimard - Hector Guimard that is. He is the architect behind the iconic Paris Metro entrances, several Art Nouveau buildings in Paris, and so...

Floods: Paris when it's underwater (and the Great Flood of 1910)

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

F is for Floods - that is, the floods of the Seine River in Paris. And today we're paying particular attention to the game-changing Great Flood of 191...

Eiffel: How well do YOU know the Eiffel Tower?

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

E is for the Eiffel Tower, the most iconic landmark in France, probably Europe, and maybe the world. This podcast episode features 10 facts about th...

Deauville: More than "the Parisian Riviera"

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

D is for Deauville, a small town north of Paris on the coast of Normandy that has captured the attention of film-buffs, gamblers, beach lovers, and ho...

Chateaux: Unique ways to finance them in France

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

C is for Chateaux - of which there are 45,000 in France. I've always been quite fascinated by French castles, and this episode takes a closer look at ...

Bievre: Finding the lost Paris river

02 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

B is for Bievre, the river that once ran through Paris. This episode is about our pilgrimmage to track it, how I walked through it with an immortal co...

Arago: Tracking the Paris meridian line

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A is for Arago, the name of the scientist who helped map out the Paris meridian line (François Arago (1786-1853)). In this episode, I explore the "...

Introduction to the big new season of The Earful Tower

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the ABCeason... or the AB Season... or the ABC-son. Haven't quite figured the spelling yet, but you get the idea, I hope. Now you know wh...

Movies and art on the French Riviera

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's our series finale on the French Riviera. This time, we're looking at art, especially through the lens of cinema (and the Cannes Film Festival) - ...

Ten top places to explore on the French Riviera

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After month in the French Riviera, here is the Earful Tower's tips for places we recommend in the area, from big famous towns to tiny and lovely villa...

Famous writers and the French Riviera

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Author John Baxter is back - this time discussing literature from the French Riviera. We tackle a lot, with a bigger focus on F Scott Fitzgerald and M...

Five golden rules for visiting the French Riviera

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've spent a month in the French Riviera. Here is The Earful Tower's introduction to the area via five golden rules for your own visit. Mentioned i...

Farewell to the little red scooter

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here's a poem I wrote to say goodbye to my little red scooter. Inspired by the great Australian bush poet Banjo Paterson. Farewell, Little Red, thanks...

Six In-Seine Paris secrets from six Paris experts

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the Earful Tower, the podcast that explores the hidden gems and secret spots of Paris. In this episode, the season finale, the whole team i...

A new life in the ??th arrondissement of Paris

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A quick episode today where Lina and I reveal our new Paris neighbourhood and our first thoughts. Get all the extras on Patreon here: https://www.pa...

The insider's guide to an ancient Paris market

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the Earful Tower, the podcast that explores the hidden gems and secret spots of Paris. In this episode, we're taking a stroll through the b...

Meet the guys making French gin in Paris

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Oliver Gee on The Earful Tower as he explores the world of gin with special guest Quentin de Montgolfier, the founder of Distillerie du Gin. In t...

How to make artisanal chocolate in Paris

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the latest episode of The Earful Tower podcast. In this episode, we're joined by Marielle Bourat from the artisanal chocolate shop Atelier ...

Six classic restaurants on the Left Bank of Paris

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We revisit a chat with writer John Baxter about Paris and its compendium of history. We especially dig into the Left Bank and its classic restaurants,...

I found French antiques in the trash

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I just found some French antiques in the trash can. A listener tipped me off, I went and grabbed them, then had them appraised. There are lots of tw...

A farewell to the lovely Rue Cler

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast episode, you'll hear me and Lina walking along a stunning Parisian street called rue Cler. But it's a bittersweet walk, as it's the la...

A walk down the perfect Paris street: Rue Montorgueil

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast episode, you'll hear me and Veronique Savoye walking along a stunning Parisian street called rue Montorgueil. It's a market street in ...

Paris curiosities: Inside a weird and wonderful cane shop

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Meet Chloe Jantzen, a French antique dealer specialing in canes (as in, walking sticks). You can find her shop at 18 rue de Beaune in the 7th arrond...

The comedy of living in Paris

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Meet Sarah Donnelly, an American stand up comedienne in Paris. She joins the show to discuss the comedy of living in Paris, her popular new show, and ...

French Antiques: From Provence to the world

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Susannah and Hugh Cameron are two Australian antique curators based in the sunny fields of Provence. Their initial interest of street brocantes and fi...

What to do on your THIRD Paris trip

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So you're coming to Paris for the third time? How exciting! But what should you do? After we tackled the FIRST and SECOND trips in recent weeks, it's ...

What to do on your SECOND Paris trip

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So you're coming to Paris for the second time? How exciting! But what should you do? After we tackled the FIRST trip last week, it's time to get a lit...

What to do on your first Paris trip

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So you're coming to Paris for the first time? How exciting! But what should you do? Despite doing six years of this Paris podcast, I've never focused ...

Paris Bucket List: Things to do in 2023

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

IT'S BACK AGAIN! Today's guest is the reigning champ of The Earful Tower Bucket List, Oliver Gee. That's right, me! I'm joined by the Stockhol...

A walk through a Paris Christmas market

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Oliver and Lina take a stroll through the Tuileries Christmas Market. They also took a microphone. Here's what they found - from German food to mu...

Near death in Paris... and how it shaped me

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Australian author Jayne Tuttle almost died after an elevator accident in Paris. She retells the harrowing story and explains how her excellent memoi...

Is French difficult to learn (according to a polyglot)

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is French difficult to learn? I asked polyglot and YouTube superstar Nathaniel Drew. Find more from him here: https://www.nathanieldrew.com/ @nathan...

A guide to Jazz in Paris

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Meet Alex Freiman, a Parisian jazz musician. In this episode, we discus the vibrant jazz scene in Paris and how Alex is bringing live jazz to Paris (m...

Cheese Carnage: How one American's cheese cutting divided a community

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we shared a picture on social media of a cheese massacre at a Parisian dinner party. The culprit? A newly arrived American in France. The vi...

Paris trivia quiz: Ten questions for you

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To celebrate the launch of our new book, Grace the Giraffe in Paris, we've put together a little pub quiz for you all. Ten questions, getting progre...

20 years on: From "Almost French" to wholly Australian

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today on the pod it's Australian author Sarah Turnbull, the woman behind the 2002 smash hit memoir Almost French. But she isn't in Paris anymore, no n...

What's it really like to be a Paris waiter?

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Edward Chisholm joins The Earful Tower to talk about his new hit book "A Waiter in Paris: Adventures in the Dark Heart of the City". He also gives his...

Inside a very secret Paris cemetery (with the Montmartre mayor)

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Let's explore the Cimetiere du Calvaire, which is the oldest cemetery in Paris and surely the hardest to get inside. How did we get in? Well, today'...

Culture clash!! The risks of using French phrases in English

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Oliver, Lina, and Eddie discuss how three small French words created a tempest of opinions in Earful Tower circles this month... They also discuss ...

How we made the soundtrack of Paris

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've just made 20 podcast episodes and 20 short videos around Paris, one for every arrondissement. And Pres Maxson made all of the music. He chats wi...

Top tips for how to photograph Paris

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've just done 20 photo shoots around Paris, one in every arrondissement. Photographer Augusta Sagnelli chats with host Oliver Gee about how the proc...

How to capture Paris on film

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've just filmed 20 short videos around Paris, one in every arrondissement. Videographer Eddie Gee chats with host Oliver Gee about how the process o...

Did you know a giraffe once walked to Paris?

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we reveal the story of the giraffe that walked to Paris in 1827 and made everyone go bananas. This story, especially the bit about Parisian...

The 1st arrondissement: The best of Paris

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 1st arrondissement is this week's focus on the podcast. Here's what we found after spending a full day there. Mentioned in this show Louvre Mus...

The 2nd arrondissement of Paris: Centre stage

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 2nd arrondissement is this week's focus on the podcast. Here's what we found after spending a full day there. Mentioned in this show Zouzou cafe ...

The 3rd arrondissement of Paris: The New Marais

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 3rd arrondissement is this week's focus on the podcast. Here's what we found after spending a full day there. Mentioned in this show 46th and 3rd...

The 4th arrondissement of Paris: The Old Marais

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 4th arrondissement is this week's focus on the podcast. Here's what we found after spending a full day there. Mentioned in this show Saint Regis ...

The 5th arrondissement: Historic Paris

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 5th arrondissement is this week's focus on the podcast. Here's what we found after spending a full day there. Mentioned in this show Le LouLou ca...

The 6th arrondissement: Classic Paris

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 6th arrondissement is this week's focus on the podcast. Here's what we found after spending a full day there. Mentioned in this show Breakfast at ...

The 7th arrondissement: Paris When it Glitters

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 7th arrondissement is this week's focus on the podcast. Here's what we found after spending a full day there. Mentioned in this show Coutume Cafe ...

The 8th arrondissement: The most elegant part of Paris

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 8th arrondissement is this week's focus on the podcast. Here's what we found after spending a full day there. Mentioned in this show, in order of ...

The 9th arrondissement of Paris: A district of note

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 9th arrondissement made for the first time we felt like tourists in Paris, while visiting the breathtaking Opera Garnier. But there's a lot more t...

Ten expert tips for planning your Paris trip

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So you're coming to Paris and you want to maximise your time and spend your money wisely. But how to do it? Here are some suggestions from your host...

The 10th arrondissement of Paris: The melting pot

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 10th arrondissement feels like the centre of everything. People spill into the streets from the Gare du Nord station, one of the busiest rail term...

The 11th arrondissement of Paris: The cool part of town

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 11th arrondissement is undoubtedly the cool part of town. Some call it the trendiest Paris district. It's where you might find an eco-friendly gar...

The 12th arrondissement of Paris: A district on the move

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the Paris Countdown! Here comes an-depth guide to the 12th arrondissement of Paris after we spent 24 hours there. The blog post is here with all...

The 13th arrondissement of Paris: Hidden gems

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the Paris Countdown! Here comes an-depth guide to the 13th arrondissement of Paris after we spent 24 hours there. The blog post is here with all...

The 14th arrondissement of Paris: The surprise package

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the Paris Countdown! Here comes an-depth guide to the 14th arrondissement of Paris after we spent 24 hours there. The blog post is here with all...