A la française

In this episode, we welcome Magali Chisholm, founder of Essential France, a luxury travel company based in New York that has been promoting the French art de vivre for over twenty years.Born in eastern France and educated at the prestigious Lycée Henri IV, Magali moved to the United States after a career in international organizations and fashion — from Chanel to Swarovski. There, she built a bridge between French elegance and American ambition, turning her passion for culture, food, and travel into a thriving business.Together, we explore what it means to sell “the French dream” to American travelers: how France became the world’s number one destination, the changing expectations of luxury tourism, and the timeless charm of gastronomy, romance, and good conversation.She also shares her own vision of l’art de vivre à la française — a slower pace, a shared meal, and a love for life’s simple pleasures.

In this episode, we welcome Margaret Johnston-Clarke, a woman with a truly bicultural journey, living her life between the United States and France.She shares what it was like moving to Paris at the age of 7, her childhood memories, the influence of her mother (a writer and culinary expert), and what it means to grow up “between two worlds.” Together, we explore the contrasts between New York and Paris, the famous French art de vivre, the role of gastronomy, and her professional path from NGOs to L’Oréal and Moët & Chandon.Throughout the conversation, Margaret talks about:- her Franco-American identity,- the freedom she found in France,- clichés (true and false) about the French,- French gastronomy (from salade niçoise to family meals),- working in companies that embody French savoir-faire,- her vision of what truly defines the “art de vivre à la française.”An inspiring exchange that sheds light on the unique connection between New York and Paris, and what it means to live across two cultures.

What makes the French art de vivre so unique?In this episode of À la Française, Pierre-Jean sits down with Ferit Öngür, one of the most passionate and insightful tour guides in Paris.Together, they explore how beauty, elegance, and history have shaped not only Paris, but the very identity of France. From the grand architecture of Haussmann boulevards to the terraces of Parisian cafés, from gastronomy to craftsmanship, Ferit reveals why the French care so deeply about excellence in every detail.What you’ll discover in this episode:- Ferit’s Franco-Turkish background and how it shaped his worldview- Why Paris is often called a “living museum”- How beauty and fashion became central to French identity- The French art de vivre: gastronomy, debate, craftsmanship, and hedonism- Must-see highlights of the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay- The story (and controversy) behind the Louvre PyramidWhether you’re passionate about France, planning a trip to Paris, or simply curious about the French way of life, this episode will change the way you look at the City of Light.

✨ Welcome to the very first episode of À la française, the podcast that shines the light on the French art of living, and those who shape it.In this conversation, Pierre-Jean Romatet sits down with Ayyam Sureau, who has called France home for over 40 years. With wit and elegance, she shares her unique perspective on:- The paradoxes of the French character: a mix of modesty, ambition, and lighthearted pessimism.- The essence of the art de vivre: simplicity, refinement, and centuries of savoir-faire, from cuisine to wine.- Paris beyond clichés: dawn in the City of Light, hidden cafés, secret restaurants, and the neighborhoods where locals truly live.- The outsider’s eye: how foreigners experience France, from cultural shocks to unexpected beauty.- Escaping Paris: Normandy’s raw coastline, forgotten towns, and stories that still carry the memory of World War II.This episode is more than a guide to France: it’s an invitation to experience Paris and French culture like an insider, far from the tourist clichés.🎧 Whether you’re planning your first trip to France or simply dreaming of Paris from afar, this episode will change the way you look at the French way of life.