According to people in the know, there are two Frances: Paris and the rest of the (alluring, picturesque) country. We got all daydreamy about Paris in a previous episode. In this one, we’re celebrating the châteaux, coastlines, cathedrals, cuisine, mountains, and museums that give France its unique je ne sais quoi.
It’s hard to argue with the notion that France offers the best of everything. From scenery and snacks to iconic art, world-changing history, and culture-shaping fashion, it’s practically ground zero for the good things in life. The light is golden. The wine is luscious. The cheese is heavenly, and the scenery is so beautiful, it makes the heart yearn.
You can take a road trip or a bike ride among the purple rivers of lavender fields in Provence or the gilt-and-green vineyards in Burgundy. Loll in the sun and splash in the sea along the Riviera — or tour a château where nobles ruled and romanced 500 years ago. Wander the streets and cafés that inspired Vincent Van Gogh, then relax under a shade tree with a perfect baguette and the world’s best butter.
In this episode, we take a virtual road trip around France, explore the Bayeux Tapestry, and get curious about an obscure (and deeply romantic) French law. Then we recommend five great books that took us to France on the page, including a charming slice-of-life novel (that made Mel happy to be a human), a thrilling fictional biography, a cozy Mediterranean murder mystery, the tale of a badass lady spy in WWII, and a lyrical novel that will break your heart and put it back together.
Read the full transcript of France: Mostly Here for the Butter.
Here’s our Paris episode if you’d like to start in the capital city.
Perhaps you’d like to listen to some French cafe while you dig into these links.
And some photos to set the scene…
The 2024 Cannes Film Festival is 14-25 May. Here are tips for how to attend on a budget.
The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix is 26 May. Here are tips for how to attend on a budget — and the most expensive ways to see it.
The 13 best cathedrals to visit in France — and Cathedral of Sens.
The story of how Monaco became a glamour powerhouse.
Swoon over the romance between Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier: Town & Country on how they met — and the Hello, Monaco version. The photos in the latter are pure gold.
Enjoy these photos of the Prince and Princess departing for their honeymoon.
Statement 1: The ingredients for a baguette are dictated by French law. Here’s the story of how a French labor law helped create the baguette. And meet Tharshan Selvarajah, the best baguette maker in France. You can see France, baguette by baguette and learn about how the baguette is protected by UNESCO — they’re ‘essential to humanity’s culture.’ Enjoy another love letter to the baguette and explore baguette fun facts and 10 things you don’t know about baguettes.
Statement 2: In France, it’s possible for a living person to marry a dead person. Learn more about posthumous marriage here and here.
Statement 3: There is an exact replica of the Bayeux tapestry in Reading, England. Here’s the Bayeux Tapestry Museum and an interactive way to explore it online scene by scene. Or explore the replica at the Reading Museum.
Clara Reads Proust by Stéphane Carlier
Joan by Katherine J. Chen
Katherine Chen won the 2023 American Library in Paris Book Award for her novel.
Read the author’s historical fiction reading list of great women through the ages.
And Zendaya at the 2018 Met Gala:
Murder on the Île Sordou by M.L. Longworth
The author’s website; don’t miss her story of how and why she moved to France.
A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell
Q&A with Sonia Purnell about writing her book.
Snips of these artists are heard throughout the show, but please take in their full beauty at the links below.
And a special thanks to:
Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly.
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