In France, greeting friends, relatives and co-workers with “la bise” — a kiss hello — is more than tradition. It’s essential. Yet Mathieu Avanzi was so baffled by the custom, it left him wondering: did others feel the same?

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3y59bp7.

Every year on June 21st, musicians across France take to the streets to celebrate la Fête de la musique. Growing up, Fanny’s birthday also happened to be on June 21st…and for a long time, she resented having to share her day with the popular French holiday. Until the tradition took on a special meaning for her…

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3O9Ieal.

In the grand French tradition of winemaking, Beaujolais Nouveau wine was once the cool kid on the block. But when wine connoisseurs felt it went too mainstream, they turned their backs on it. So wine lover Anaïs Pertuizet decided to make a new kind of Beaujolais Nouveau, one that would win back their hearts.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3b4LLZb.

The French love their long summer vacations, les grandes vacances. But they hate the massive traffic jams that go with them. To help vacation-bound drivers and passengers have some fun on the road, traffic radio host Francine Thomas has to get creative.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3GWrJM9.

Le repas gastronomique, the true French feast, is a unique part of French culture. Chef Stéphane Ranieri worked his way up the kitchen ranks in some of France’s most prestigious restaurants. Then one day, he decided to take fine dining to a completely different setting: the rugby stadium.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3NK17Qz.

Perfume is France’s everyday luxury. French people love to wear it, to gift it, but also to create it. When one of France’s foremost perfumers realizes that the perfume-making tradition in his hometown of Grasse is in danger, he vows to defend it.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3lJuKpn.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting May 24, 2022. Listen to the trailer now!

When Kevin Escoffier entered one of the world’s most epic solo boating races, he faced long odds, dangerous waters, and stiff competition.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3iuoCQ2.

Growing up in Cameroon, Euphrasie Mbamba spent a lot of time on her grandfather’s cacao farm. But it wasn’t until she moved to Belgium that she tasted chocolate for the first time, and understood the power of the fruits from her childhood.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3MVLnu7.

A passionate rower trains to build her strength and perfect her technique for the Paralympics… But along the way she also learns the importance of maintaining her mental health.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/35BAMnE.

Ouafa Mameche didn’t speak French when she first arrived in France at the age of seven. But her passion for rap music led her to love the language and find her place in her adopted homeland.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3C46bKW.

In March 2014, Richard Hardin received a phone call that would change his life and cause him to question everything he thought he knew about his family history.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/35iKeLP.

A young woman from the region of Brittany falls in love with the local language, le breton. Through her passion for language learning, she decides to help save the Breton language from extinction.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3oQnABC.

Luc was a maintenance technician in Parisian hotels who dreamed of becoming a bookseller. With little experience, but a lot of passion, he opened a new kind of bookstore, one aimed at serving the busy working people and immigrants living in his suburb outside Paris.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3HCNxfk.

A mountain rescuer in the French town of Chamonix decides to go on one of the riskiest missions of his career.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3AOV9IV.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting February 1, 2022. Listen to the trailer now!

In the sixth and final episode of our series, Alexandre experiences life in France’s notorious overseas prison camp, le Bagne. Always the rebel, he attempts the riskiest of escapes… Meanwhile, in Paris, his mother Marie leads a tireless campaign for his release. Will either of them prevail?

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3IFrFzX.

In Episode 5 of this six-part series, the prosecutor of Alexandre Jacob’s trial makes his case. He hopes the Judge and jury will send the rebel thief to the guillotine. But will Alexandre’s impassioned speeches sway the jury…or will they send him to his doom?

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3tZ07lb.

In Episode 4 of this six-part series, Alexandre and two accomplices set out on a routine burglary. After being spotted, the three men flee into the French countryside with the police in hot pursuit. Alexandre has vowed never to use violence…but will he break his own rule?

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3G3N6sV.

In Episode 3 of this six-part series, Alexandre hones his skill as a master thief. He builds a team of anarchist thieves and strives to remain one step ahead of the police. But how long can his luck last?

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/34extBL.

In Episode 2 of this six-part series, Alexandre attempts his first heist. It's a clever, daring plan…but he has no experience as a burglar. Will he pull it off?

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3ADyX4G.

In Episode 1 of this six-part series, we meet Alexandre Marius Jacob, the young sailor who grew up to become one of France’s most daring and notorious thieves. At the turn of the 20th century, the injustices Alexandre witnessed ignited a desire to seek vengeance against the rich and the powerful…entirely on his own terms.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3u7errJ.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting November 9, 2021. Listen to the trailer now!

Growing up in Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world, Matina Razafimahefa was upset that the majority of kids didn't have the same access to education as she did. So at 19, she took action…and launched a one-of-a-kind coding school.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3IDyFNR.

At 23, Loïc was lost. After a severe accident, he’d lost his job, his home, and his dream of becoming a soccer player. But after entering a poker game as a card dealer, Loïc played the hand he was dealt, the chips fell where they did, and his life changed overnight.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3AwZ7pC.

Maya Husseini is a stained-glass artist who spent her career rebuilding churches in her hometown of Beirut. But after a warehouse explosion in August 2020, she’s forced to ask herself: Can she help rebuild Beirut again?

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/33UDa7R.

During the second Covid lockdown, the French President had declared that theaters weren’t "essential." But to Marie, theater was the essence of life. Could she do anything to safely bring theater to audiences?

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3rTnEkH.

Laetitia Dubois felt trapped in the rigorous French school system but worried that dropping out would lead to a life of failure. Until one day, an eye-opening internship gave her the courage to find her own unique path.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/35sqqG8.

An R&B-loving teenager from the tiny island of Mayotte sees her world turned upside down when her mother signs her up for an amateur opera competition.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3H9YyED.

Andoh Ashu Rex thought he’d found his dream job working for an American company in Cameroon. But after learning that his employer might be harming his homeland instead of helping it, Rex decided to sacrifice his steady income and choose a different professional path.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3AIkXXm.

Can France’s youngest mayoral candidate in history revive public life in his sleepy village?

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3fYLzcO.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting July 20, 2021. Listen to the trailer now!

In this special episode, we’re taking you on a guided audio tour through Paris to explore a unique side of the city: its Black history and culture! Join tour guide Kévi Donat in discovering the Black thinkers, artists, and leaders who helped make Paris the city it is today.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3o42VK1.

When the son of a Polynesian fisherman discovers the threats affecting his beloved island’s coral reefs, he teams up with a surf buddy to do something about it.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3fXSLpJ.

François Saint-James’s first great love was not a person, but a place: le Mont-Saint-Michel, the iconic island fortress off the coast of Normandy. Working there was the chance of a lifetime, and living there a dream come true. But when his first love introduced him to the next one, he found himself forced to choose between the two…

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/32Avl6T.

The first time Onja Razafindratsima stepped foot in the Madagascar rainforest, she fell in love with the unique plants and animals that call it home. But when she realized all these species could go extinct, she decided to protect her home country’s incredible biodiversity.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3tZ77OV.

Renato Häusler felt out of place in modern life. He longed for a simpler, slower, more natural time. When he learned that his city, Lausanne, is one of the last in Europe to still have a lone night watchman, he made it his mission to preserve the centuries-old tradition.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3u1txPv.

When a free-spirited wanderer reluctantly takes a job as tour guide in Lyon, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with the city and its secrets…

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3rRYdjE.

When the best crab fisherman in Étretat, Normandy gradually loses his eyesight, he does everything in his power to continue fishing along the coastline he loves.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3g0bdOx.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting April 13, 2021. Listen to the trailer now!

In this special episode, we answer your questions about the Duolingo French Podcast! Listen as host Ngofeen Mputubwele takes you behind the scenes of this one-of-a-kind podcast — with a little help from some friends.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3KI7cwt.

Benji was an idealistic young man full of hopes for his future…until the 2008 financial crisis left him jobless. At a loss for how to lead a good life and earn a living, he decided to join an alternative community, la ZAD, in the west of France.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3uiB5h9.

Simone Hérault had the gift of a unique voice, but as a child, she was too insecure to believe in it. Still, her talent and dedication would end up taking her places she never expected…until she became one of the most familiar and beloved voices in all of France.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/33Owbh1.

As a teenager in Mali, Djénébou Danté dodged a string of marriage proposals to pursue her running dreams and represent her country on the international stage.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3KJMR9Z.

At 30, Aliénor Le Gouvello set off to ride solo across Australia’s toughest trails. She gave herself one year to train wild horses and complete the journey. Riding ten hours a day, every day, Aliénor was determined not to quit — not for crocodiles, fire ants…not even for the handsome helicopter pilot she met along the way.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3HkGO9T.

When a devastating earthquake strikes Haiti in January 2010, one of the island’s most respected public health experts rushes to the aid of 38 abandoned children who have been left without a home. She decides then and there to take care of them, not knowing that the decision will change their lives — and hers — forever.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3o3Ox4e.

At age 27, Matthieu Landri said goodbye to his family and shared one last beer with his friends…then began his new life as a Benedictine monk. He longed for a spiritual life of contemplation and prayer. But soon he found himself embarking on a new journey: reviving the lost French art of monastic beer-brewing.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/33OwCIb.

In Martine Gaussen’s childhood, traditional French santons — handmade nativity figures — were a key that unlocked the magic of Christmas. But decades after the magic has dulled and adult responsibilities have taken over, can Martine rediscover the curiosity and creativity that defined the holidays of her youth?

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3rRYymq.

A young boy in the south of France discovers an unexpected passion for bees and beekeeping. But he’s not prepared for the heartbreak he’ll face when he leaves his little buzzing companions over the summer...

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3rS6R1w.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting December 15, 2020. Listen to the trailer now!

After his grandparents’ deaths, 20-year-old Damien Bouché uncovers a family secret from World War II. He spends the next 10 years unearthing the past, from Vienna to the south of France, in a fight to regain his true family name.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3GZqStj.

When Vincent-Gabriel Lamarre joined the Canadian Armed Forces, he knew he had found his calling. But a few years into his service, he realized he could no longer ignore the discomfort he felt about his gender identity. Would a gender transition be accepted in the military? After the episode, learn more about Vincent-Gabriel’s journey here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/tigars.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3HkH4pn.

A young dancer discovers French Cancan in the 1960s, leading her to an exciting international career…and the love of her life. When a tragic loss rips the joy of dancing from her, cancan slowly helps her find a renewed sense of self.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3ACl2vK.

When a young attorney from Chad decided to take on the ex-dictator who terrorized her country, she knew she was going up against dark and powerful forces. But that didn’t stop her from dedicating her life to fighting for justice in her homeland.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3fXuAaY.

Najib Nasary left his native Afghanistan in search of a fresh start in France. He had nothing, knew no one, and faced the threat of deportation. But when a village in France’s Cévennes mountains took him in, he finally found a new home…and a new passion for baking French bread.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3rMjM52.

When Valérie Hirschfield lost her leg, she made a promise to her family that she would bounce back stronger than ever — a promise that would one day lead her to race up France’s most iconic monument.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3H41se7.

Emel Mathlouthi left her home country of Tunisia so that she could sing openly about bringing freedom to her people. But that didn’t stop her from participating in the seismic revolution that was taking place back home.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3AOkKSB.

Growing up in France as the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, Linh Lan Dao felt uncomfortable speaking up when she encountered anti-Asian racism. But after becoming a journalist and finding a community of like-minded people, Linh Lan discovered the tools she needed to stand up for herself and others.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3u3wRK4.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting September 15, 2020. Listen to the trailer now!

Berthet One always loved drawing, but never saw a future in it. Until he wound up in prison and realized that drawing was the best chance he had at rebuilding his life.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3H40yhC.

Gratien Leroy is a small-town accountant with big culinary dreams. But when France’s most popular cooking show announces an open call for the country’s best amateur cooks, does Gratien have what it takes to join the ranks of his country’s top chefs?

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3rSGPeD.

In Khadjou Sambe’s home country of Senegal, surfing is considered a male-only sport. But that hasn’t stopped Khadjou from pursuing her surfing dreams, becoming the first girl in Dakar to rule the waves.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/34e0gpK.

In honor of Pride and LGBTQ people across the world, this week we're rerunning the story of Marine Rome and the French soccer team that rocked the Women’s World Cup in 2019.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3KMKz9Z.

Arnaud Askoy has already had three different careers when, at age 43, he discovers his true calling: singing. But not his own music. Arnaud plans to launch a career impersonating Jacques Brel, one of the world’s most famous francophone musicians, and might just be crazy enough to pull it off.

Check out recordings of Arnaud’s live performances here (arnaudaskoy.org/video). We also made a Spotify playlist (spoti.fi/36MhU19) where you can kick back and listen to some of Jacques Brel’s greatest hits.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3u1Mku0.

For many years, Valérie struggled with feeling different from the other students at her karate school in Montreal. But after learning she had Asperger's syndrome, Valérie’s new self-knowledge inspired her to work even harder toward achieving her karate dreams.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/34goRKY.

Fabien Cousteau, grandson of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, was just a boy when he fell in love with a creature that most other people fear: sharks. But no one could have predicted that years later, Fabien would do the unthinkable…and decide to live among them.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3H7TErH.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting June 8, 2020. Listen to the trailer now!

As a young PhD student, Viriginie Dhorne dreamed of becoming a brilliant academic. But after starting a family and finding herself stuck working in her husband’s cheese business, Virginie began to realize that the world of cheese—a world she once hated—was rich with opportunities for people with brains, ambition… and a fierce competitive streak.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3KOzkh8.

Kilian Belamri’s loitering habits weren’t much appreciated among the residents of his housing project in Malakoff, south of Paris. But when his neighbors found themselves in grave danger late one evening, Kilian and his friends did the unexpected—and became heroes overnight.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/33RKOQo.

While on a day trip with his senior citizens club, Raymond Silvestrini survived one of the worst traffic accidents in France’s history. But after meeting Monique, a fellow survivor, his life took another unexpected turn -- this time, for the better.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3fWBX2u.

As a nuclear engineer, David S. had a very serious job. But after discovering a passion for the French art of clowning, he decided to start leading a double life, doing everything in his power to keep his two different worlds from colliding.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3H4Wn57.

After earning a PhD in nuclear physics in Europe, Dr. Rajaâ Cherkaoui El Moursli returned to her native Morocco to teach and raise a family. But when she learned her former colleagues were embarking on the scientific quest of the century, she hatched a plan to join them—and give her country the scientific credit it deserved.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/34ajsVI.

Ever since France won the World Cup in 1998, Marine Rome yearned to play soccer, but felt excluded from the field. When she finally found her dream team in Paris, they decided to take a stand for inclusion at the 2019 World Cup.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3KM5ERN.

Growing up in France, Hong Dagognet rarely spoke with her adoptive parents about her childhood in Vietnam. But after receiving a surprising letter, she set out to reconnect with her family and finally unveil the mysteries of her past.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3r13beE.

In everyday sounds, Christophe Chassol hears the makings of a song. That refined ear led Chassol to become a renowned musician, and develop a new genre of music. But it was only by returning to his parents’ birthplace in Martinique that he would be able to create his masterpiece.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://bit.ly/3u1MVMg.

The Duolingo French Podcast is back with new episodes starting January 28, 2020. Listen to the trailer now!

Eric Dargent devoted his life to surfing — the bigger the waves, the better. He wouldn’t let anything get in his way of his passion, not even a life-altering shark attack. After losing half of his leg, he set out to pursue a new dream, for himself and countless others.

Study materials and a transcript of this episode are available at https://bit.ly/3r2QU9t.

Cédric Herrou lived a quiet life as an olive farmer on the border between France and Italy until he began to offer shelter for hundreds of migrants struggling to cross into France. But when the French state took him to court for his actions, it would take Cédric and a small community of volunteers to convince a nation that freedom should know no borders.

Study materials and a transcript of this episode are available at https://bit.ly/3r3ddMb.

When Oliver Cousin's grandparents passed away, he promised to honor the winemaking traditions they had passed down to him. But when the French state got involved with his product, he decided to fight to the end for his natural wine.

Study materials and a transcript of this episode are available at https://bit.ly/3KOuYa4.

Elodie Lauret yearned to discover what was beyond the island of La Réunion. But when she set off to Europe in search of better opportunity, she realized over time that the island would always be her place to call home.

Study materials and a transcript of this episode are available at https://bit.ly/35hcJcU.

For a long time, Paris was the only place Alexia Sena considered home. But when Alexia began to wonder how she would pass down her Cameroonian heritage to her mixed-race daughter born in France, she decided to move back to Cameroon with her family in search of the identity she thought she lost.

Study materials and a transcript of this episode are available at https://bit.ly/3G2NWGo.

Mahmoud M’Seddi was born to bake. When M’Seddi was surprised to come in 7th place in the Grand Prix contest for Best Baguette in Paris in 2017, he knew that the next time, he had a chance to win. He would prove to his parents and an entire nation that he was meant to do this for the rest of his life.

Study materials and a transcript of this episode are available at https://bit.ly/3qZn9Gx.

Deepen your language skills and knowledge of the French-speaking world through fascinating true stories in easy-to-follow French, with added English for context. From Duolingo, the world's #1 way to learn a language. Hosted by Ngofeen Mputubwele.