The New Paris Podcast
by NewParisPodcast
Forget the postcard. Paris is more than a museum of the past; it’s a living experiment in urban life, food, creativity, art, and activism. Hosted by the bestselling author of "The New Paris" book, journalist, and longtime Paris resident Lindsey Tramuta, the podcast explores people, places, and ideas reshaping contemporary France. Each episode is a long-form conversation with writers, chefs, designers, activists, and thinkers who are changing the fabric of Parisian life.
Episodes
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173: Is France's Protest Crackdown Fueling a Far Right Shift? A chat with Diane de Vignemont
Following weeks of heavy state and police repression, shifting protest routes, and widespread civil unrest across France, the path forward remains deeply uncertain. Journalist and World War II historian Diane de Vignemont joins the show to break down what recent demonstrations reveal about state...
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172: Making sense of France's historic youth protests with Andrew Hussey and Cormac O'Keeffe
Fall in Paris has brought a historic wave of youth protests. Starting in Créteil, high schoolers across France have taken to the streets for several weeks over abysmal conditions, overcrowded classrooms, and underpaid and often absent teachers. While mainstream outlets focus on student unrest…
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171: The Art of the Heist with novelist Jo Piazza (live in Paris)
How did Vincent van Gogh become a household name? Enter Jo van Gogh-Bonger—the woman single-handedly responsible for his legacy, and the inspiration behind Jo Piazza’s latest novel, The Parisian Heist. In this live recording from The Red Wheelbarrow in Paris, we sit down with the bestselling…
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170: What's happening with Parisian style? About the Sézane rebrand, retail sameness and more with Alice Cavanagh
In August, the cult-popular Parisian brand Sézane announced an aesthetic rebrand, a new direction. The reaction among consumers and critics was fast and fierce, and not overwhelmingly positive. I wondered what it signaled for the future of retail and commercial fashion, especially given my…
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169: Has Coffee in Paris Gone Too Far? A chat with Mihaela Iordache
Coffee shops in Paris are exploding. In fact, a new one opens in Paris every 3 days, according to a recent study. That's a far cry from 20 years ago, when one cafe roasted and served specialty coffee: Le Caféothèque (which still exists!). What’s going on? Why has it accelerated, and can they all…
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168: The crime that rocked French cinema and politics with author Edward Chisholm
After writing the bestselling memoir A Waiter in Paris, Edward Chisholm is back with a much different kind of tale. He joins the show to talk about the fascinating story behind his latest book, 'Murder in Paris 68,' which explores the dark intersections of crime (the Markovic Affair), new wave...
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167: Rethinking Craft Chocolate in Paris with Jade Genin
Should chocolate be an everyday item? How much should it cost? How challenging is it to run a chocolate shop? All of those questions get answers with Jade Genin, chocolatière and daughter of Jacques Genin, whose shop on Avenue de l'Opéra in Paris approaches chocolate a bit differently. Mentioned…
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166: Paris meets Southeast Asia with food entrepreneur Pearlyn Lee
10 years is almost an eternity in the restaurant world, and it’s a milestone that Pearl Lee reached with her business, The Hood. The Singaporean has run a Southeast Asian, in addition to a bánh mì sandwich and donut shop called Nonette across the street. I recently traveled with her through...
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165: Extreme heat, abuse, and a nation under scrutiny with CNN's Saskya Vandoorne
By now you’ve been inundated with images and news reports about the record-breaking heat crisis that hit nearly all of Europe last week, impacting France the most. The intensity of that was the cherry on top of a particularly punishing local news cycle in recent months, especially for CNN’s Paris...
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164: On bilingualism and code-switching with Ariane Bernard
Next month marks six years, if you can believe it, since The New Parisienne was released. I’ve kept tabs on all the women I profiled and some have become dear friends. Among them: Ariane Bernard who, at the time of our first interview, was overseeing all things digital at Le Parisien newspaper. I...
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163: On making friends in Paris with Jane Bertch
Moving to a new city can be both exciting and daunting, especially when it comes to making new friends. Paris, with its rich culture and vibrant social scene, may seem like the perfect place to forge connections. However, many newcomers often find it challenging to break into established social...
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162: On the art of French chocolate with pastry chef and educator Lisa Allen
As you may know, chocolate isn’t created equal, and French style is very different from Belgian and Swiss confections. There are chocolate shops and pastry chefs who dabble in chocolate all over Paris, but within that network, there are clear differences in quality. Lisa Allen, a chocolate...
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161: A fresh take on the Parisian neo-bistro with chef Priscilla Trâm
What happens when you trade fifteen years of working in law for a professional kitchen? In the case of today’s guest, you get one of the most flavorful and unique dining experiences in the city. Priscilla Tram, the chef and founder of Trâm 130, has changed the conversation about what 'personal'...
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160: Made in France as Activism with Marianna Stepanian of Paramaz
What if Made in France for crafts could be a form of activism? Paramaz, a leather workshop, boutique, and café, is doing just that. I'm joined today by the co-owner and creative director, Marianna Stepanian, whose journey from diplomacy at UNESCO and the Dutch Embassy to the workbench of a local...
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159: Why France's Future Must Be Human-Centered with Rahaf Harfoush
How does technology play into the paradigm shift the world is experiencing? I'm joined by digital anthropologist, author, and public speaker Rahaf Harfoush to talk about resilience and how global interconnection means we cannot speak about the future of France without considering the impact of...
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158: A new mayor for Paris! Interpreting the election results with Léa Chamboncel
There is some relief to be shared right now for many Parisians— voters sent Rachida Dati walking and opted for Emmanuel Grégoire, formerly Anne Hidalgo’s first deputy, as the French capital's new mayor. The Socialist party has governed Paris for 25 years and the majority has spoken. But that…
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157: Anne Hidalgo’s Paris Legacy & the 2026 Vote with Phineas Rueckert
We are nearing the end of an era. Anne Hidalgo, Paris mayor since 2014, will soon be leaving office. And this weekend, we vote on her replacement. In fact, there are elections all over the country. But in Paris, there are changes to how that’s going to go down this year and who is likely to take...
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156: On Paris vs London in the arts with Maïa Morgensztern
Almost two years ago, I met today’s guest on an art deco journalist jaunt around Greater Paris and have followed her work ever since. Maïa Morgensztern is a French art historian and culture journalist living in London but returns to Paris monthly, usually for an exhibition. Given how much has...
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155: What it takes to become French in 2026 with Charli James
Nearly 12 years I ago, I became a French citizen. Since then, a lot has changed. Most notably, the criteria for nationality have tightened this year. Given how many more Americans, in particular, are looking to move to France, I thought it was time to dig into the process, how it’s gotten harder...
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154: Understanding childcare in Paris: the nanny's view with Lise Scott
Whether you have children or not, chances are you’ve heard that France’s childcare system is among the best in Europe, both in terms of public and private options. There’s the crèche, subsidized daycare, shared nannies, au pairs, and full-time Nannies who make, or should anyway, a living...
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153: Coffee, costs, and Paris wishes for 2026 with Jay Swanson
To kick off season 10 a few days into a year that’s already turbulent, I thought I’d keep things lighter and more casual with a friend of the show. I crossed town the day after Paris was submerged in snow to chat with Jay Swanson, YouTuber and creator of Paris in My Pocket, about coffee in the...
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152: Paris Dining today with Carina Soto Velasquez and Nora Bouazzouni
In continuing the conversation around the city’s culinary scene, the episode you’ll hear today comes directly from a panel discussion I was part of at The American Library in Paris with two very powerful voices in food that I’m proud to know. I was joined by Carina Soto Velasquez, the co-founder...
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151: On longevity in the Paris food business with Joshua Fontaine
What does it take to run a successful restaurant or several in a city full of them? Josh Fontaine, cofounder of Candelaria, Le Mary Celeste, and the newly opened A La Renaissance, knows something about it. He joins me to talk about what’s changed in the Paris food and beverage scene since COVID,...
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150: On making a new life in Paris with Susanna Schrobsdorff
Almost a year ago, I launched a series on my newsletter called Leaving America, based on the multitude of reasons Americans opt to leave the country and why many of them, as it happens, end up in Paris. Through this series and my network of creative women in Paris, I’ve connected with so many...
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149: On secondhand fashion & luxury with Parisian entrepreneur Fanny Moizant
Paris = luxury fashion, right? Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Chanel are pillars of France’s soft power and legacy of craftsmanship. And they are among the most counterfeited brands in the world. That's part of what I learned reporting on secondhand luxury and authentication issues for Bloomberg...
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148: An insider's view of Paris with writer-event organizer André Michel
Today's guest, André Michel, is a Paris insider; the unofficial Mayor of Paris with a deep and varied knowledge of food and culture, and a talent for weaving it all into compelling storytelling and events. The occasional food and travel writer and event organizer joins me to talk about what it...
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147: Back to class with Siham Jibril of Off Campus Paris
Diehard fans of Paris already know there’s never been a shortage of activities to fill one’s intellectual and cultural cup. Art openings, talks and conferences, concerts and performances happen every day of the week. But if you’re interested in learning in a classroom setting without going back…
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146: Lindsey on The Eater Guide to Paris with Dorie Greenspan
My new book is officially on shelves! To celebrate, The Red Wheelbarrow bookstore hosted me for a launch event last week. At the start, I was in conversation about the project (and more) with the legendary New York Times bestselling and James Beard Award–winning cookbook author Dorie Greenspan....
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145: Curiosities in Paris with Messy Nessy's Vanessa Grall
In the canon of Paris narratives, few focus on oddball finds and secrets lurking right beneath our noses. But Vanessa Grall, more commonly known and Messy Nessy, has made it her calling card. For more than a decade she has sussed out offbeat tales and fascinating individuals who have shaped our...
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144: On the Louvre's Fashion Focus with Amy Verner
So far, the year in Paris has been bright — at least in a cultural sense. The Louvre Museum is leading the charge with its very first full-fledged fashion exhibition in its 232-year history. To talk about why it’s significant, what visitors can expect, and the cultural context surrounding the...
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143: Are Parisians still drinking? Wine talk with Alicia Dorey
Like many people living in France, I took a break from alcohol during the imported milestone of Dry January. But we’re in February, and two wine fairs have brought wine lovers and wine pros to the city for talks, tastings, and buying. Wine consumption has been dropping steadily in France, and…
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142: Season 9 and some book news!
A quick one from me to kickoff season 9 and share some fun news: I have a new book coming out this spring! The Eater Guide to Paris hits shelves on April 29 in the U.S. /Australia/Europe and on May 8 in the U.K., wherever books are sold. A few links below to pre-order now: Abrams (publisher)...
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Best of: Fine dining in Paris with sommelier Etheliya Hananova
I'm recording new episodes for season 9 (coming soon!) but I wanted to bring back some of the most appreciated episodes of the show in the meantime. I originally recorded this episode with Comice co-owner and sommelière Etheliya Hananova in March 2022, and it ranks among the most listened-to…
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141: Finding community & the unexpected in Paris with Catherine Down
This month is my 18th December living in Paris, and as I reflect on that time, I’m struck by how much the city still enchants and surprises me. It might be a buzzy neighborhood, a refurbished historical marvel like Notre Dame, a dining experience, or something more unexpected. Someone in the...
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140: The Seine River's Past & Present with Mary Winston Nicklin
In times of turmoil, we naturally seek sources of calm. And in Paris, perhaps nothing that recenters Parisians more than the Seine. The city’s most iconic waterway has shaped its mythology long before there were tourist boats and selfie-taking travelers. Today, the significance of the Seine is...
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139: On Arabic in France with journalist Nabil Wakim
Did you know that Arabic is the second most spoken language in France? However, the way it is perceived and taught has led many Arabic speakers in France to either abandon the language or not pass it down to their children. It’s this particular experience that the journalist Nabil Wakim sought to...
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138: On the state of French Politics with Alexander Hurst
It’s been several months since the President threw us into a mess by calling a snap election and in early September, months overdue, Macron finally named a prime minister. What does his choice mean for the country, and what does it signal to voters who cast their ballots for the left coalition? I...
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137: Pleasure in Paris with Glynnis MacNicol
After enduring nearly a year of pandemic-related isolation and a punishing lack of human touch, author Glynnis MacNicol boarded a plane for Paris in August, 2021 to sublet a friend’s apartment for the month. She was 47 years old and on a mission—100% enjoyment. An exploration of pleasure. Close...
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136: A Parisian Life in Color with Jeweler Fanny Boucher
It’s the end of summer holidays, the city is slowly filling up again and that means, novelty is upon us. I associate this time with new restaurant openings, events, and even pop-ups that will carry us to the end of the year. It’s a return to life. One person who is full of life, with plenty of...
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135: Olympic Fever, Tourism, & Better Travel with Paige McClanahan
After years of planning and a solid 7 months of Parisian complaining, the Olympics are here! Over their history, they have put some tourist destinations on the map, attempted to build unity, and accelerated social and infrastructural change in host cities. Of course, not everyone benefits, and…
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134: France's Snap Elections- What Happens Now?
In the last episode, you heard me talk to Katy Lee about the snap elections in France. Why they happened, what they mean, and what party was predicted to perform well in the first round. Now, the day before the second round and not only has everything we discussed come to pass, but the stakes are...
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133: Understanding the French political crisis with Katy Lee
(This episode was recorded on June 14) There's a lot to unpack following President Macron’s decision to dissolve the lower house of parliament and call snap elections for the end of June and there is no one better to dive in with me than journalist and podcaster Katy Lee. We discuss the role of...
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132: Documenting the everyday in Paris with Seb Emina
There’s something about leaving Paris, even briefly, and returning that makes all of its idiosyncrasies and charms all the more compelling and obvious. And sometimes, it takes talking with someone who is a particularly keen observer of daily life to highlight these elements even further. Seb…
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131: On the longevity of a dining legend: La Tour d'Argent
As much as the Paris food scene has grown increasingly international and casual, fine dining establishments continue to soar. They’ve had to modernize their menus and their approaches to service to stay relevant, but the tasting menu and Michelin-starred experience continues to thrive. However…
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130: Painting and creating in Paris with Guillaume Sardin
When it comes to artistic endeavors, Paris shines bright as a historically welcome place to pursue them. The city that gave us the Louvre and some of the finest galleries in the world is full of creative talent or, at the very least, creative inspiration. But how it feels living and working as an...
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129: Running a Cooking School in Paris with Jane Bertch
Running a business in Paris is a dream for some, a hardship for others. But for today’s guest, Jane Bertch, it has been a variety of things including life changing. 15 years ago she confounded La Cuisine Paris, a French cooking school that is still going strong. She talks about the journey to…
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128: On bikes, the Olympics, & the Transforming City with Brent Longley
There’s nothing like leaving Paris for a short time to reset perspectives. I’ve recently returned from 10 days in New York and the Philadelphia region and I was struck by how worn and behind both destinations felt. Part of that is lingering socio-economic impact of the pandemic, and part of it…
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127: On Loving & Leaving Paris with Sara Lieberman
Paris has always been a refuge for foreigners. For a lifetime for some, for a chapter of their lives for others. One of my very best friends in Paris was drawn to many of the qualities that I’ve described on the show over the years (and in The New Paris book) and falls into one of those…
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126: Paris 2023 in Review
Welcome to the end of 2023! Let's take a look back at the challenging, protest-heavy, crisis-generating year in Paris and beyond, with a few thoughts for 2024. Bonnes fêtes et bonne année! Season 8 will begin in the second half of January. Buy my book: The New Paris Buy my book: The New…
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125: Book Culture in Paris with Audrey Chapuis
Paris has a long legacy not merely as a world capital of culture but as a literary capital. Some of the world’s greatest writers and thinkers have created some of their best work in or about Paris and found homes for it in bookstores, to be sure, but also libraries. Two years ago I interviewed…
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About this show
Forget the postcard. Paris is more than a museum of the past; it’s a living experiment in urban life, food, creativity, art, and activism. Hosted by the bestselling author of "The New Paris" book, journalist, and longtime Paris resident Lindsey Tramuta, the podcast explores people, places, and ideas reshaping contemporary France. Each episode is a long-form conversation with writers, chefs, designers, activists, and thinkers who are changing the fabric of Parisian life.
Hosted by
NewParisPodcast