The latest episode of The Good Life France's podcast series 'Very French Things' tackles a fun question: could you identify a French person purely by their body language, gestures and vocal quirks — before they say anything at all? Part 3 of the series is a light-hearted romp through the shrugs, noises and habits that supposedly give the French away, and it's good company for anyone planning a trip or simply curious about French culture.
The hosts are a well-matched pair: Janine Marsh, a Brit who has written four internationally bestselling books about life in France, and Leo Julia, a French teacher based in Paris. Their British-outsider-versus-French-native dynamic keeps things entertaining rather than lecture-y, and the episode comes with a transcript on Buzzsprout if you'd rather read than listen.
If Part 3 whets your appetite, there's a deep back catalogue to explore. Episode 24 looks at the French reluctance to ever admit being wrong, plus sweets made from raw beef by monks in Burgundy — yes, really. Episode 55 goes further into eccentric territory with an online chicken beauty contest judged on more than feathers, a pig-squealing competition contested by humans, and the everyday rituals of dogs in restaurants and buttered bread dipped into morning coffee.
None of this is breaking news, and that's the point. It's the sort of cultural colour that makes a holiday in France richer — knowing why a waiter shrugs, understanding that bread-dunking is tradition rather than rudeness, and being able to laugh at the stereotypes instead of being baffled by them. For travellers heading to Paris, Burgundy or anywhere in between, it's an easy, funny primer you can absorb on the train or the plane.
You can subscribe via thegoodlifefrance.com/podcast, or find episodes on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. New episodes drop regularly, and the site also publishes a free magazine packed with destination ideas across France.
