Episodes

Olivier Robichaud returns to talk about how the Old French language came into being.

Dahlia El Zein talks about how colonial peoples travelled through the French Empire, interacting and changing their world.

The Vikings descend upon West Francia, first as raiders, then as conquerors.

Dr. Richard Derderian talks about how Algerians in France maintained and developed their culture during decades of remarkable, violent change.

Dr. Joan DeJean talks about how climate crisis, the first economic bubble and meltdown and corrupt police forced innocent women into exile in colonial Louisiana and how they overcame incredible odds to survive and even thrive.

Dr. Kate Vigurs talks about the women secret agents operating in France, their heroism, sacrifice & service in the fight against Nazi Occupation.

With the country in chaos, faithful ban together to bring peace to France.

Dr. Megan Brown discusses how post-independence Algeria remained a part of a pan-European project, as it existed in a legal limbo following its independence.

The Year 1,000 approaches. Signs in the heavens signal doom. French people prepare for the end of the world.

A riot breaks out between left-wing & right-wing agitators and half a dozen are killed by police. What happened? Whose fault was it? Dr. Chris Millington talks about the heated political culture of 1930s France.

Dr. Kathleen McCrudden Illert talks about one of the most fascinating revolutionaries you've probably never heard of and her impact on France.

Robert II ascends to the throne. The second Capetian, he must rule a kingdom even as many of his vassals consider him an illegitimate ruler.

Dr. Matt Robertshaw explains how Haitians travelled through the French Empire and their impact on Africa.

Hugh Capet inaugurates a new dynasty whose house and offshoots will rule France for 800 years.

Dr. Deborah Bauer talks about the emergence of surveillance agencies in France and the contradictions they represented in a liberal democracy.

Islamic forces from Iberia conquer a fortress in Provence. Taking advantage of political weakness in France, they establish a state along the coast.

Benjamin Bernier of Thugs and Miracles joins the podcasts to rank the Merovingian kings, often called France's first dynasty.

Mickey Mouse, er Robespierre, reads a speech on reason and the Supreme Being.

An excerpt from an audiobook on France's greatest monument, exclusively for patrons!

Part 2 of War for the Throne sees the Carolingian House fail and a new dynasty take its place.

Olivier Robichaud talks about the origins of the French language; how Latin was it? How Gallic? How Frankish?

The Carolingian House enters a crisis that threatens its existence in West Francia.

A massive army of Odin-worshippers sail up the Seine and threaten Paris. With the Carolingians gone the Franks will have to fend for themselves.

What made Gauls and Franks laugh? Hear some very very old jokes that made our ancestors' sides split.