Duolingo French Podcast

To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Simone, who unknowingly became the most “listened-to voice in France.” Stick around until the end for an update on what Simone has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/49R1BPW.

To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Arnaud, who launched a career impersonating one of France’s most beloved male singers, Jacques Brel. Stick around until the end for an update on what Arnaud has been up to since the first episode aired! Check out recordings of Arnaud’s live performances here. We also made a Spotify playlist where you can kick back and listen to some of Jacques Brel’s greatest hits. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3I7TkLW.

On June 21, 1981, the French government invented a new holiday. Ever since then, every summer solstice, anyone in France can take to the streets and perform music…and they do! But for Fanny, sharing her birthday with la Fête de la Musique was a bit of a curse…until she discovered how to help her favorite band take on the challenge of that special night. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3HYOEHZ.

To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Christophe, better known under his performer name Chassol, who developed a new musical genre inspired by the sounds of his home island of Martinique. Stick around until the end for an update on what Christophe has been up to since the first episode aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3w5nVa2.

To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Waaydah, a teenager from the French island of Mayotte who took the stage in her island’s first-ever opera competition. Stick around until the end for an update on what Waaydah has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4bknOYf.

To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Marie, a stage actor who found a way to keep French theater alive during the Covid lockdowns. Stick around until the end for an update on what Marie has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4ba190U.

To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of David, an engineer by day and French clown by night. Stick around until the end for an update on what David has up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/424ViWh.

To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Monika, who has been dancing the French Cancan in Paris since the 1960s. Stick around until the end for an update on what Monika has been up to since the first episode aired! A transcript of this episode is available at https://podcast.duolingo.com/french.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back for a special season celebrating the arts in France and around the world. We’re revisiting our favorite stories of dancers, singers, performers, and even an undercover clown — as well as updates about how these artists are doing. This special season starts January 9. Listen to the trailer now!

Josephine embarks on perilous spy missions…and her wartime service brings her face to face with the man who inspired her to join the Resistance. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3QUR3sq.

With France under German occupation, Josephine takes refuge at her sanctuary, Les Milandes. Until the enemy comes knocking at the gates. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3QNcpIh.

With war declared in France, Josephine braces for the conflict and wonders how she can help…until a member of the French secret service knocks at her door and she begins a new chapter of her life. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3MP6aBx.

Josephine puts down roots in her beloved France while trying to find her place as an artist as the world teeters toward war. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3tM0mlu.

Josephine becomes an international sensation and adopts France as her home. But in neighboring Germany, Nazism is on the rise and threatens her newfound freedom. With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4010Hg5.

19-year-old Josephine Baker leaves her life in the U.S. behind and arrives in Paris to try her luck onstage. She falls in love with the city, but what will she have to do in order to succeed there? With Ariana DeBose. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/46I6I3s.

The Duolingo French Podcast returns with a thrilling new season! Discover the untold story of 1920s icon Josephine Baker – not just a dancer, but a spy for the French Resistance. Featuring Academy Award-winner Ariana DeBose. This special season launches on October 11th, 2023. Catch the trailer now!

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Virginie Dhorne – a French cheesemonger with a fierce competitive streak. Stick around until the end to hear what Virginie’s been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/4202Hpg.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Loune Viaud, a public health expert from Haiti who rescued 38 children after the 2010 earthquake struck the country. Stick around until the end to hear what Loune and the children from the story have been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3H96ecn.  

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revising a story by Matina Razafimahefa, a university student from Madagascar with an entrepreneurial spirit. Stick around until the end to hear what Matina has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/41vlwjy.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Valérie Desroches, a karate student from Montreal. After learning she had Asperger's syndrome, Valérie’s new self-knowledge inspired her to work even harder toward achieving her karate dreams. Stick around until the end to hear what Valérie has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3zREXHc.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Linh Lan Dao, who decided to pursue a career in journalism after encountering anti-Asian racism. Stick around until the end to hear what Linh Lan’s been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3ZEze25.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Khadjou Sambe, a young woman who defied gender norms by taking up surfing, considered a men-only sport in her home country of Senegal. Stick around until the end to hear what Khadjou has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3KeOdLy.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Maya Husseini, a stained-glass artist who spent her career rebuilding churches in her hometown of Beirut. But after a devastating warehouse explosion in August 2020, she was faced with a question: could she help rebuild Beirut? Stick around until the end to hear what Maya has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3FHIRWG.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting a story by Emel Mathlouthi, a singer whose music became a symbol of freedom during the seismic revolution that took place in 2010 in her home country of Tunisia. Stick around until the end to hear what Emel has been up to since this episode first aired. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3JEFAd6.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Duolingo French Podcast is back for a special season celebrating exceptional women. We’ll revisit stories of powerful dreamers, visionaries, and truth-seekers from our archives — and share updates on their lives since their stories first aired. This special season starts March 14th, 2023. Tune in to the trailer now!

Muriel Aublet-Cuvelier is a French pastry chef on a mission to share the art of pastry with the world. She takes us to visit some of Paris’ historic pastry shops and taste some of the city’s most iconic desserts. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3kUYQZI.

Photographer Gaspard Duval has a growing archive of the historic Paris Catacombs, a network of tunnels and burial grounds underneath the city of Paris. He navigates the underground labyrinth to highlight his favorite spots, from the official tour area to secret chambers that are forbidden to the public. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3XDWlK0.

Olivier Chandez was the official clocksmith of the Notre Dame Cathedral. He tended to its antique central clock until a fire set the Cathedral ablaze in 2019. Olivier will take us back to a time before the fire for a special tour of one of the world’s most beloved Parisian landmarks. A transcript of this episode is available at http://bit.ly/3WuvTAX.

A longtime resident of Paris, Pascal Fonquernie, walks us through his historic neighborhood, Le Marais, sharing its unique history and shining a light on the different communities who live there. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3X25hIQ.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back for a new season. Our special trip to Paris, France starts January 2023. Listen to the trailer now!

Alphonse Maitrepierre is a talented young designer who worked his way up to many established fashion houses in Paris. After learning from the best, he wanted to design clothes that reflected his vision and commitment to sustainability. But would the fashion world embrace him? A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3ThCPQh.

A doctor from Guadeloupe dedicates his life to honoring the memory of his island’s enslaved ancestors, and fights to make sure their names will not be forgotten. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3DRItUY.

Growing up in Cameroon, Euphrasie Mbambae spent a lot of time on her grandfather’s cacao farm. But it wasn’t until she moved to Belgium that she tasted chocolate for the first time and understood the power of the fruits from her childhood. We recently reached out to Euphrasie and updated her story with new content. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3FnIsJk.

A Montreal resident realizes people in his neighborhood of Saint-Henri West don’t have access to fresh and affordable food. So together as a community, they decide to take matters into their own hands and open a collective grocery store run by and for the people of Saint-Henri West. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3Sa4Ad9.

As a teenager in Mali, Djénébou Dante dodged a string of marriage proposals to pursue her running dreams and represent her country on the international stage. We recently reached out to Djénébou and updated her story with new content. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3MkQK6s.

A Parisian B&B host sets out on a journey to master the art of making the perfect traditional French crepe. He shares his findings with the world…one crepe at a time. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3CadWzG.

After learning that cigarette butts are the most harmful pollutants of our oceans, Chloé decides to take action. She sets out on a daring journey to follow a cigarette butt's course from the Seine River to the sea, raising awareness and sparking change along the way. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3LJHGYx.

As a little person, Douchka Volaric didn’t grow up with any media representation of people like her. When she discovers TikTok, she decides to use it as a tool to educate others, spread a positive message, and be the change she wished to see. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3xDnYrn.

As a film programmer, Aurélie depended on going to the legendary Cannes Film Festival. But when she had her first child, she realized attending Festivals with a baby would be nearly impossible and she wondered, could anything be done to help working families? A transcript of this episode is available at https://podcast.duolingo.com/french.

Ever since he was 10 years old, Serge Zaka was fascinated by the power and beauty of France’s most elusive thunderstorms. So he made it his life's mission to photograph the perfect storm to share with the world, but could he do it? A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3AUvkHQ.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting September 6, 2022. Listen to the trailer now!

Le Tour de France is a legendary bicycle race in France. But to cycling enthusiast Claire Floret, there’s something terribly wrong with it: women aren’t allowed to compete. So in order to make things right, she created a brand new cycling challenge. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3zeMXTo.

The béret was once the most popular hat in France. But today, most French people see it as old-fashioned. Except for Valérie. As a native of southwest France – where bérets were invented – she wants to bring them back in style! A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3ajeGbM.

In France, greeting friends, relatives and co-workers with “la bise” — a kiss hello — is more than tradition. It’s essential. Yet Mathieu Avanzi was so baffled by the custom, it left him wondering: did others feel the same? A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3y59bp7.

Every year on June 21st, musicians across France take to the streets to celebrate la Fête de la musique. Growing up, Fanny’s birthday also happened to be on June 21st…and for a long time, she resented having to share her day with the popular French holiday. Until the tradition took on a special meaning for her… A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3O9Ieal.

In the grand French tradition of winemaking, Beaujolais Nouveau wine was once the cool kid on the block. But when wine connoisseurs felt it went too mainstream, they turned their backs on it. So wine lover Anaïs Pertuizet decided to make a new kind of Beaujolais Nouveau, one that would win back their hearts. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3b4LLZb.

The French love their long summer vacations, les grandes vacances. But they hate the massive traffic jams that go with them. To help vacation-bound drivers and passengers have some fun on the road, traffic radio host Francine Thomas has to get creative. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3GWrJM9.

Le repas gastronomique, the true French feast, is a unique part of French culture. Chef Stéphane Ranieri worked his way up the kitchen ranks in some of France’s most prestigious restaurants. Then one day, he decided to take fine dining to a completely different setting: the rugby stadium. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3NK17Qz.

Perfume is France’s everyday luxury. French people love to wear it, to gift it, but also to create it. When one of France’s foremost perfumers realizes that the perfume-making tradition in his hometown of Grasse is in danger, he vows to defend it. A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3lJuKpn.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting May 24, 2022. Listen to the trailer now!