Viollet-le-Duc: The Self-Taught Architect Who Shaped France's Medieval Landmarks
May 3, 2026
Annie Sargent sits down with licensed tour guide Elyse Rivin to talk about Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc — the self-taught architect who left his mark on Notre-Dame, Carcassonne, and Saint-Sernin in Toulouse, among many others.
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They dig into how he taught himself everything,...
23 Nights in Southern France Without a Car
Apr 26, 2026
Annie Sargent talks with Sally Schokman, an Australian solo traveler who spent 23 nights in southern France without a car. Sally took the train everywhere — Bordeaux, Toulouse, Albi, Avignon, Nice, Lyon, and Paris. She shares what surprised her, what she'd do differently, and which museums blew her away. They also dig...
Home Exchange Experience: The Good, the Bad, and the Moldy
Apr 19, 2026
Melanie Dixon loves France and has done home exchange multiple times, both as a guest and as a host. She joins Annie Sargent to talk about what can go wrong — and it turns out, quite a bit can.
Moldy bathrooms. Grimy sinks. A washer you're not allowed to use. An angry WhatsApp from a host who didn't like your honest...
France's Most Stunning Destinations: What's Worth the Hype (and What Isn't)
Apr 12, 2026
Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin are back, and this time they're settling the big question: which famous destinations in France actually deliver, and which ones need a reality check?
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They cover prehistoric painted caves, perched medieval villages, Loire châteaux, mountain valleys, and...
First Trip to France? Here’s What You Really Need to Know from 50 Years of Visits
Apr 5, 2026
First Trip to France? Here’s What You Really Need to Know from 50 Years of Visits. This is what Annie Sargent explores in this episode with Nancy and Michael Armstrong, and it’s packed with the kind of advice you only get from people who have done this over and over again.
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They talk...