The Earful Tower: Paris
by Oliver Gee
The Earful Tower is a weekly podcast all about Paris, hosted by Australian expat Oliver Gee. With a huge variety of guests - from cooks and comedians to TV hosts and tour guides - this show will transport you to the City of Lights and make you feel like you've met the characters that make it shine.
Episodes
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An ode to the chairs of Luxembourg Gardens
L is for Luxembourg Gardens, the topic of today's episode, with a special focus on the iconic green chairs. My guest is Parisian New Yorker Jimmy Gardner, who loves the chairs so much he made an art exhibition about them. It was called C.H.A.I.S.E.S and you can learn more about it here:...
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The 13th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it. In this episode for the 13th arrondissement, it's American writer Scott Dominic Carpenter who lives in the district and absolutely loves it. Here's his website:...
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What to do with kids in Paris?
K is for Kids. Is Paris a child-friendly city? And if you're bringing kids here, what should you do with them? Today on the show it's Aly, the founder of Paris For Kids. For ten percent off painting classes and tours with Paris For Kids, just mention The Earful Tower!! Explore the experiences…
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Josephine Baker: Who was this iconic Parisienne?
J is for Josephine Baker. Who was she? What was it that made her so iconic? And how can you follow her footsteps in Paris? Today on the show it's Brian Scott Bagley, the founder of the Musée Joséphine Baker et des Afro-Descendants de Paris. Brian comes from a career in the performing arts, and is...
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The origin of Paris: I saw the 2,000-Year-Old Secret Beneath Paris
An ancient Gallic wall was recently unearthed, after being buried for two millennia beneath the Hôtel-Dieu hospital, on the Île de la Cité. I managed to talk my way in and sit down with Julien Avinain, chief of Paris's archaeological city council department, for an exclusive tour and interview....
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How I did it: The French driving license
Here's the story of how tried to get my French driving permit in a world-record time. I'm joined by Lina, who hangs around for some listener questions about fashion in Paris at the end. This episode is brought to you by an exciting antique sale: At Home with Patricia Wells, Volume III, the final...
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Hotel de Ville: Can I get inside the 'impenetrable' City Hall of Paris
H is for Hotel de Ville, aka the Paris City Hall. In this episode, I see if I can get inside this impenetrable building with the help of intern Ashlyn Patton. The music is from Pres Maxson. This episode brought to you by The Earful Tower Tours. Come join us in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin...
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The 14th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it. In this episode for the 14th arrondissement, it's Canadian tour guide April Pett who lives in the district and absolutely loves it. Mentioned in this episode: Coffee at Sisters...
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Ten things to do in Paris in 2026 (Bucket List Update)
This week on the show, Lina and I discuss how our 2026 Bucket Lists are going. Here's a link to the full bucket list that we shared in January. And here are the things we've done so far, that we mentioned in the show. See anything in the main hall of the Grand Rex (we saw Paul Simon) This is the...
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Street art, a hidden gem of a Paris museum, and the forbidden catacombs
I recount my recent visit to the Musée de Minéralogie, where Codex Urbanus has taken over with a street art exhibition "Codex on the Rocks". It was quite a fascinating visit to a place I'd never been, and it was wonderful to have the artist himself explain the impressive work that went into this...
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The 15th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it. In this episode for the 15th arrondissement, it's content creator Gaby Hafner who lives in the district and absolutely loves it. Mentioned in this episode: Sang Bong Lo: 8 Rue...
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The 16th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season. As you probably know, there are 20 districts in Paris, known as arrondissements. They may as well be kingdoms, at least for this podcast season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it. In this episode, it's YouTuber...
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Grand Palais: Eight things you probably didn't know it
G is for Grand Palais. In this episode, we present eight facts (well, nine) about the magnificent Grand Palais. This is a mixture of entertaining, informative, and practical facts, so you'll certainly get something out of it! The music is from Pres Maxson. This episode brought to you by The…
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Five more awesome things to find in Provence
We've been exploring Provence this week and here we share some good tips with you. Mentioned in this episode: The Pont du Gard, a 2,000-year-old Roman acqueduct Robion, a sleepy village that's perfect for a glass of Ricard L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, where we bought our house and recorded this episode...
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Meet the Clown Bringing the Fringe Festival back to Paris
F is for Fringe Festival. In this episode, I talk with Australian clown and actor Jasper Foley about how he (and his team) are bringing the famed international theatre and performing arts festival back to the City of Light. Paris. Also: What's life like as a trained clown in Paris? What happens…
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Inside the US embassy's July 4th party in Paris
E is for Embassy. And in this case, I'm talking about the US Embassy's Garden Party to mark 250 years of Independence with a capital I. And guess what: I was there! So this podcast is just me, Oliver Gee, talking about my night among the Americans for their Fourth of July bash. And here's the…
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Unique apartments in Paris: Inside a domed rooftop home
It's sweltering in Paris right now and life is unbearable for many. Not least for those who live under the zinc rooftops. The whole city comes to a standstill in these heatwaves, but those in the rooftops suffer the most, perhaps. So, while The Earful Tower puts business as usual aside like...
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How we launched our newest children's book in Paris
Every year or so, Lina and I make a children's book. Sophie in Paris is the fifth. And every time, once the books arrive, we hit the streets of Paris to deliver them ourselves. Bookshops, museums, all of it. This episode is about that part. Not the writing, not the illustrating, but the launching…
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Alain Delon and the murder that shook Paris
D is for Delon, Alain Delon. Author Edward Chisholm is back on the podcast, this time talking about his new book Murder in Paris '68. We recorded this one on location - sitting on the quai by the Seine, directly beneath the Quai des Orfèvres, the famous Paris police headquarters that has watched...
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Exploring the Paris district where the Statue of Liberty was built
New episode: Let's take a deeper dive into the 17th arrondissement of Paris. You've hopefully already heard the previous episode, where Tom Vickers shared his thoughts on the 17th Kingdom. In this brand new episode, I kept exploring the 17th with my wife (and our new intern Victoria Hughes)....
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The 17th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season. As you probably know, there are 20 districts in Paris, known as arrondissements. They may as well be kingdoms, at least for this podcast season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it. In this episode, it's…
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Cheese Crime in Paris: The Viral Dinner Party Photo That Shocked Us All
Updated Re-Release: This episode originally aired a few years ago and has since become one of The Earful Tower's most beloved classics. We're bringing it back today because some things are simply too good - and too instructive - to stay buried in the archives. It started with a photo. A single,...
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The day I had Paris's best museum to myself (and risked missing my son's birth)
C is for Carnavalet. Or should that be Kernevenoy?? In this episode, we dive into one of Paris's most overlooked treasures - the Carnavalet Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated entirely to the history of Paris. I share, for the first time, the story of visiting the newly renovated…
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Montmartre: The old village of a thousand facelifts
New episode: Let's take a deeper dive into the 18th arrondissement of Paris. You've hopefully already heard the previous episode, where Sutanya Dacres shared her thoughts on the 18th Kingdom. In this brand new episode, I re-visited the 18th and did some exploring with my wife, and with Earful...
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The 18th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms", a new season of The Earful Tower podcast. As you probably know, there are 20 districts in Paris, known as arrondissements. They may as well be kingdoms, at least for this podcast season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves...
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The Lost River of Paris: Searching for the Bièvre
This podcast episode features host Oliver Gee and his co-host Lina exploring the history and physical traces of the Bièvre, a lost river in Paris. Once a vital waterway that flowed into the Seine, the river was entirely buried and built over by 1912 due to industrial pollution. In this updated...
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Brocantes, flea markets, and the art of antiquing in France
B is for Brocantes! This podcast episode features an interview with Sharon Santoni, a long-time expert on French lifestyle and author of the book "The Art of Antiquing in France." She discusses the nuances of the "brocante", which she defines as accessible antiques that possess a unique history…
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Paris district guide: What we found in the 19th arrondissement
New episode: Let's take a deeper dive into the 19th arrondissement of Paris. You've hopefully already heard the previous episode, where Ben McPartland shared his thoughts on the 19th Kingdom. In this brand new episode, we visited some of the places he recommended, plus more. And we report back to...
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The 19th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms", a new season of The Earful Tower podcast. As you probably know, there are 20 districts in Paris, known as arrondissements. They may as well be kingdoms, at least for this podcast season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves...
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Following the Rose Line to the Paris observatory
Let's take a deep dive into the Paris Rose Line. This is an updated re-release of the time I did another A to Z season, where A was for Arago, the name of the scientist who helped map out the Paris meridian line (François Arago (1786-1853)). In this episode, I explored the "Rose Line" (as it was...
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The INIMITABLE Arc de Triomphe: Five things you didn't know
It's another new season - and we're doing a new take on the A to Z of Paris. This time, A stands for Arc de Triomphe. A big thanks to the team at the Arch, who opened this majestic monument just for me! I had the whole thing to myself, did an interview on top - and then made this episode. You'll...
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What to do in Belleville and the 20th district of Paris
Let's take a deeper dive into the 20th arrondissement of Paris. This is an updated re-release of the time we visited the 20th arrondissement as part of our Paris Countdown season. You'll hear dinnertime singalongs, a cemetery visit, and more about the best pizza in Europe. There is even an...
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The 20th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome to "The 20 Kingdoms", a new season of The Earful Tower podcast. As you probably know, there are 20 districts in Paris, known in French as arrondissements. But my brother once referred to them as kingdoms and I liked it. It's true, each of the districts has its own soul, quite separate…
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The midnight market in Paris you've never heard about
Have you ever heard of Rungis? It's the world's largest wholesale food market, it provides all the Paris markets and restaurants with their fresh produce, and you can find it near the Orly Airport. Or can you? This place may as well be top secret. Only the vendors and restauranteurs can access it…
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A glimpse at life in our trilingual family
I speak English with our two children (soon to be 2 and 5 years old). My wife speaks Swedish with them. The outside world is in French. (Note: We all speak all three languages too). Here's a glimpse at how that works, with special guests Otis and Astrid. Hope you find it as fascinating as I do!...
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Paris got a new mayor: But who is he? (And what will be Anne Hidalgo's legacy?)
Paris has a new mayor! That's right, after 12 years at the helm, Anne Hidalgo has stepped down. Parisians voted for a new mayor, and taking her place will be Emmanuel Grégoire. But who is Emmanuel Grégoire? What does a Paris mayor actually do? And what will be the legacy of Anne Hidalgo? This...
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We just bought a house in Provence
We bought a house in the charming Provence town of l'Isle sur la Sorgue! That's right: the Pearl of Provence, the Venice of the South, the same place we recorded the Christmas episode last year. And while we'll still live in Paris and do business as usual, this exciting news will surely add a new...
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A guide to the French tradition of the apéro
Almost like a sacred ritual in France, the apéro is much more than just a drink with friends. Véronique Savoye from France With Véro explains more. And be sure your membership is up to date to see Vero and I answer your questions about Paris in mid March 2026. This is an episode from The Earful...
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How to spend a magical and bohemian evening in Montmartre
I took my wife on a bohemian date in Montmartre - we called this episode "Bohemia on wheels". Join us as we take you through Montmartre in a 2CV with three nostalgic and bohemian stops along the way. Earful members can get 15 percent off your own unforgettable 2CV experience in Paris. The...
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Checking in from Paris: Sophie, schools, and one wild launch
Last week we introduced you to Sophie, the newest character in our world of children's books. Today, we're checking in - with a huge thank you - halfway through the Kickstarter campaign. As you may have seen, we hit the target in 15 minutes. Now, as the campaign continues, we're donating books to...
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Sophie in Paris: Our new children's book is ready
Here she is: Sophie in Paris. Meet Sophie, the newest character in our world of children's books. She's a clever little girl who lives in a tiny attic by the Eiffel Tower. And when a problem appears on the tower itself, Sophie takes it upon herself to save the day. Sophie is a brave, curious,...
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I climbed Notre Dame in Paris: Join me for the full experience
I did it! I climbed the south tower of the Notre Dame cathedral and it was every bit as wonderful as I had dreamed. I brought the microphone up there with me, join me for the full experience. *********** The Earful Tower exists thanks to support from its members. For just $10 a month you can…
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Six small museums we truly love in Paris
A personal guide from us - smaller, quieter museums we genuinely love, chosen for their intimacy and character rather than hype. None of these are in the top 15 most-visited museums in Paris. PS: The music from this episode is an original from Pres Maxson called Guimard's Abbesses. Here's the…
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Paris Bucket List: Things to do in 2026
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 sharing their top five things they want to do this year in Paris. Why not write your own list and join us? The full list will be on our official...
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The top episodes, guests, and moments for The Earful Tower in 2025
Let's take a look back at 2025. Here's a good episode for the fans who might be curious to know what was the most popular, and for new listeners to get a good idea of where to start. Thanks to all for listening, watching, and reading in 2025. *********** The Earful Tower exists thanks to support...
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What do the French eat for Christmas?
For the first time ever, I'm in France for Christmas. Specifically, I'm in the charming Provence town of l'Isle sur la Sorgue. But what do the French eat on the big day? I have no idea. I walked around this beautiful town, the Pearl of Provence, the Venice of the South, and I asked the locals....
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How Paris-based TV shows are reshaping the France fascination
Have you seen Lupin? Or Emily in Paris? What about The Bureau? Or Call My Agent? Maybe you've seen all four of them, perhaps more. It's undeniable, French TV (and even movies) are having their moment right now, and in the post-Olympic Paris glow, people are even more fascinated with France. Let's...
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Music and Paris with The Earful maestro Pres Maxson
This week it's The Earful Tower's musician Pres Maxson. We talk about his new novel, how he came to work on The Earful Tower, and French music in general. This chat was streamed live for Earful Tower members, join the crowd and meet cool people in Paris (Membership takes only a minute to set up…
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How to make the most of your EVENINGS in Paris
Paris by night. So many possibilities. Sure, it's easy to create magical memories with a stroll along the Seine or a cobblestoned Marais street. But there are also more than 5,000 restaurants, over 2,000 bars, and hundreds of shows every night. So where to begin? If you've only got a few nights…
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Theatre in Paris: The thrills of being on stage in the City of Light
Let's talk theatre. This week on the show is Irish actor/playwright Hannah Coyle (who is also one of the Earful Tower tour guides!) Hannah talks about the theatre scene in Paris, especially the English-language scene, She also talks about Alchemy Theatre's forthcoming production of Three Sisters,...
About this show
The Earful Tower is a weekly podcast all about Paris, hosted by Australian expat Oliver Gee. With a huge variety of guests - from cooks and comedians to TV hosts and tour guides - this show will transport you to the City of Lights and make you feel like you've met the characters that make it shine.
Hosted by
Oliver Gee