Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

Louise Prichard

In Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles we chat about all things “français” to get your Frenchy vibes happening here at home in Australia or wherever you are around the world! We will hear tips and ideas that aren’t in the tourist brochures from various podcast guests living both in Aus and France. Join us on a journey to be immersed in a variety of French experiences to brighten and enrich the dullest of days and daydream of fun in France! À bientôt, loulabellesfrancofiles.com

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Top 10 Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Ep 83 - Living the Good Life in France.

Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

11/18/22 • 46 min

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles is hosted by Louise Prichard.

Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Janine Marsh is an author, the creator of The Good Life France website and editor of the associated magazine as well as an all-round fabulous fellow Francophile!

I found I share a number of both afflictions and fortunate circumstances with Janine. We are both hopeless dreamers, but I always think dreams are a most important part of a healthy life. How sad it would be not to have dreams to aspire to achieve! Even if they never come to fruition, the act of dreaming itself is so much fun. Janine and I both have husbands who share our love of France, or even if they don’t have quite the same level of Frenchy amour, they’re happy to support us with ours! We both fall in love with every new place in France we visit, exclaiming that we could move and live there forevermore from that moment on! We both are crazy cat ladies and are helpless to the needs of any animal who expresses the slightest need of us and most importantly we both love to write and talk and laugh!

Tune into this chat to hear about Janine's snap decision to buy a farmhouse in France on a day when her fate called out to her.18 years later she is still diligently renovating, whilst living with a flock of unruly chickens, a gaggle of geese, 6 cats, 2 dogs and most recently a hedgehog interloper! Her engaging tales of her French life , her recommendations of film, music and food, plus the picture she paints of a France for our minds, take me straight back there.

Life anywhere will have its challenges of course, and I’m sure it’s just the same for Janine in the north of France. My dear late Mumma used to say that if you find something you love to do and make that your job, you’ll never feel like work is hard. I wonder if it is the same for where we live. Find a place you love and move there, then everyday can feel like a holiday! You’ll be living the dream! After my chat with Janine about her life in France, I’m more convinced than ever that dreams can come true.

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
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Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Ep 80 - Frenchy road-tripping vibes! Survival tips & tricks when on the road with your spouse!

Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

10/29/22 • 39 min

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles is hosted by Louise Prichard.

Other Loulabelle's links:

FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

This episode is the second part of a chat about our epic road trip around western France in the French summer of 2022.
On this vacation, my husband Paul and I first traveled from Paris to the Loire and then down to the Pays Basque which can be explored in episode 79.
In this Loulabelle's FrancoFiles episode we travelled from Bayonne in the Basque region of south-west France up to the Dordogne, then across to Lège-Cap-Ferret which is on the coast past Bordeaux, then spent our final days in Paris before our return to Australia.

I love a slow holiday where we stay in the one place for a month and just relax and immerse ourselves in a local scene, but I find Australians especially try to pack as much into a visit to anywhere in Europe including France as it is quite expensive for us to get over there and it takes a long time! We are quite a long way away in Oz so we want to make the most of it! But if I had the time to stop in one spot for longer and meander around a particular place for an extensive period, that would be my preference I think. Malheureusement we didn’t have the luxury of months to meander so we road tripped and I must say, it was still amazing despite moving on every few days.

In this chat you'll hear of our visits to some Plus Beaux Villages de France, our stay in the Dordogne – Perigord Noir region, how we chilled on the coast and also how we made the most of time with friends who chanced to be in the same place at the same time on the other side of the world!

All of this during a time when the mercury was nudging 40!
We also share ways to ensure you return from a road-trip still talking to each other... oui, it is ok to do separate things whilst travelling together!
Come and join us and lose yourself in France xx

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Ep 28 - Finding harmony in Paris - the simple joie de vivre ♥️

Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

02/28/21 • 32 min

www.loulabellesfrancofiles.com
I loved connecting with Ruby Boukabou again in this podcast episode! She has such an amazing energy! I always leave a chat with Ruby feeling like I can take on the world and simultaneously that I've had a beautiful Parisian experience. In this chat Ruby talked about how she has stayed busy during COVID, from writing her book The Architecture Lover's Guide to Paris to her tap shack in Sydney and memories of tap dancing on the Pont de Bir-Hakeim!

Something I hadn't thought of before, Ruby mentioned to me that Paris is a future focused city and Parisians are very conscious of their environmental situation in the world. I have often noticed in Paris how they implement a staggered planting program where young trees are planted in between older trees, so there is a plan of succession.

I was enthralled with Ruby's new book, The Architecture Lover's Guide to Paris. With chapters on Paris history, train stations, museums, walking tours, itineraries, a variety of architecture styles or as Ruby puts it "a mixed palette",

I was reminded when talking with Ruby about concerts in churches (the acoustics are out of this world!) about the significance of Haussmann Paris, about stopping to really connect with our surroundings whether in a large city or in regional France.

While I can't travel to France, I'm going to do a walking tour of some of my fave parts of Paris - the two islands in the Seine and the Marais. Using Google Maps or Google Earth to explore at my own pace and focus on the places that feed my soul is something I'm excited about.
Join us on a little sojourn to Paris and hear some terrific French musique as well.

The magical melting pot of Paris.

Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

03/06/23 • 28 min

Paris is a place filled with myriad cultures, religions, languages and nationalities. We tend to view France through the quintessentially French perspective of "chateaux, champagne et croissants", but there is so much more to discover with just a little scratch of the surface.

I spoke recently to Pakistani woman Fiza about her move with her family from Pakistan to Paris. She has family already living there which prompted France to be the country of choice for their emigration, but initially even with family support she found it difficult having no French when she arrived. Fiza moved to France as a young adult a few years ago and not long after, COVID hit and the country went into lockdown. Fiza then taught herself French through YouTube and watching French movies or television whilst she had to stay at home.
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I discussed with Fiza the differences of her Parisian life from when she was in Pakistan. The way Fiza describes her French world is so different from many other people living in Paris I have spoken to. There is a significant difference in the worlds inside and outside the périphérique, as there is also between the "leafier" arrondissements to the more working class areas. As foreigners we often don't connect with any part of Paris beyond the tourist sites.
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I was inspired by Fiza to try and view a different Paris on occasion in the future. She mentioned to me that her dream had always been to have a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower. She has now got to turn this dream into a reality.

French design chic... an expert guide!

Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

04/16/23 • 40 min

Ann Dennis is an artist and interior designer who is passionate about interiors, art and antiques. Many of us Francophiles benefit from by following her socials with exquisite and sumptuous designs shared consistently. I so loved delving deeper into her French inspired story with this podcast chat.

Ann grew up in a family who valued French design elements. Something as simple as dining by candlelight with linen instead of paper napkins! Ann shares my passion for French crockery and collecting plates, so much so that she once carried 8 Gien plates home on her lap on the plane!

Ann chatted to me about her French trips with including châteaux stays and one of a kind experiences, as well as the flow-on impact to her design. Ann is influenced by both her travels as well as her extensive library of design books.

Personally, I feel that modern French design has evolved beautifully. It has gone from the ordered formality we see in some of the grand châteaux to sometimes even a collection of brocante-finds eclectically combined to be what is sometimes called shabby chic. I love Ann's abstract art and the manner in which it can sit in the middle of the structure and formality of French design. Ann talked about the way that these days we can mix a number of design elements together and it just "works"! When there is abstract art in a formal style French room, I find it quite freeing... it helps me decompress. It somehow encourages me to "let go" inside. I feel that contemporary abstract art doesn't hold on to the formality of design and assists me to let go of the formality of life, freeing me to be more in touch with my inner self. The combination of formal French and abstract art provides the best of both worlds to my eye and feeds my Francophile heart.

Ann says that French style has a sophistication that is instantly recognisable. I think the designs that Ann shares are just timeless. I'll be continuing to follow her socials and fill my Francophile soul daily.

My own French story...

Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

03/24/23 • 63 min

I have always had a love of France as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl, my home was filled with old music and the old “chanson” from my dear Papa who is a wonderful muso. In this 100th episode of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast, the tables are turned and I am interviewed about my own French story by previous Loulabelle's podcast guest, now lovely friend, Ruby Boukabou.
In the March of 2020 I was to take a trip to France with my oldest girlfriends from my school days. We planned to visit Paris and the Champagne region as a celebration for our communal 50th birthdays. In the week I was to depart, COVID hit Australia and our world started to shut down. I was in disbelief that our travel plans were to be cancelled and obviously devastated not to be able to visit my favourite place, France. In Melbourne Australia where I live, we then began the first of our lockdowns which ended up being among the longest in the world. The impact on us all of not being able to leave our homes was huge, especially to our mental health. I started listening to podcasts during my hour of allowable exercise outside per day, but found that I had so many more questions for the guests of the shows I was tuning into could answer! So I decided to make my own podcast and the Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles was born!

I’m the sort of person who wonders what kind of lives people have when I’m looking at cottages whilst driving through a little village, or what life was like in a particular period of time for the ordinary people as well as the infamous characters of history. I was always a day dreamer as a child and still consider time when we can stop, ponder and dream as being invaluable to our daily routine and mental health.

I adore Paris, but there is something about the little villages with their squares and the markets that just makes my soul burst. When I’ve been road tripping around France I actually can’t wait to return to Paris, but when I’m in Australia it’s my memories of country France that keeps my little Frenchy vibes fluttering! Every time I travel to a new place in France I declare that it is my favourite, that I want to buy a petit cottage and move there to live happily ever after! There are so many places that pull at my heart strings as they hold wonderful souvenirs of time spent there making lifetime memories.

Tune in to hear the full story and escape to France with us.

Finding a dream life in Burgundy...

Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

06/10/23 • 33 min

Kate Veach and her husband Nathan were already living a life very connected to France with a French restaurant in Geelong outside of Melbourne, Australia but always dreamed of living in France, so just prior to COVID they made the decision to get serious about achieving their dream. They knew they loved Burgundy so drew a circle around Beaune with a limit of an hour travel distance and found their dream property 56 minutes from the epicentre of their search!

They had a brief to follow for the search of being in a village, walking distance to amenities, with a cellar and in a wine area. None of which was in the final property! They have found a property in a hamlet 3kms from a village with a number of outbuildings and some land which they found online during the Melbourne COVID lockdowns and bought sight unseen with only 7 photos! Purchasing remotely of course is a big risk so they engaged a buyers advocate to decipher the legal documents and work through the finer details. The result has been a beautiful experience of restoring the 100ish year old house and 500 year old barn, establishing themselves in a little French community.

There is so much to do and see in Burgundy. Kate told me about the picturesque villages to meander through, Burgundian food is known to be focused on fresh local produce and there is a wonderful Burgundy wine route. The area is also well known for excellent brocante!

Whilst there are challenges along the way, Kate recommends to anyone dreaming of a similar life as hers, just do it! Be realistic with your skill set to achieve the dream, but once that's clear, get going and do it! It's been the best thing she has ever done!

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Ep 65 - Escape to the Château! If you can dream it, you can do it!

Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

04/03/22 • 38 min

www.LoulabellesFrancoFiles.com
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Hosted by Louise Prichard
As an addict of "château porn" as we call it in my house, I feel as if I already know Karen Horne who has been on the Escape to the Château DIY series (which is now known as simply Château DIY.)

Karen and her husband Paul had for many years spent weekends escaping to France and always loved exploring the little villages when they drove across from the UK. One day Paul brought home a little advertisement of a château for sale, they went across to check it out and it was love at first sight!

So the 17 year adventure began. They took a leap of faith, possibly with rose tinted glasses on but Karen says they have no regrets! Karen says that life is not about getting to the end of a rainbow with a pot of gold, but rather life is about living it, experiencing it and having the most amazing experiences you can recall for life! Wise words I reckon!

Now Karen has a website and Insta page Dream French Properties. I love to explore the villages on Google Earth and visit the regions virtually of the grand houses in her posts. I also try to guess the region of France just from the architecture before I find out where the property actually is!

Karen wishes that they had got to live there in their château as permanent residents, but one of the most rewarding things from the experience was the ability to dream and make their dreams happen. After listening to Karen, I'm reminded of the saying, if you can dream it you can do it! Life is short! Take that leap!
Join us for a wonderful warm papotage and escape to France with us momentarily xx

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram - @loulabelles_francofiles

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist - click here

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Ep 61 - After the war. One woman's story of the raw, beautiful, real Paris.

Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

02/04/22 • 48 min

www.LoulabellesFrancoFiles.com
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Loulabelle's FrancoFiles on Instagram - @loulabelles_francofiles
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We often think of Paris as the beautiful tourist Mecca flooded with cutesie photo ops of flowers, promenades, cafes and gorgeous doors. But under all of that beauty is a rawness. A wonderful strength and determination to survive. I chatted to Parisian Lise Buisson Primaud whose family struggled through the war in ways most of us can’t or don’t want to imagine, but the after effects of the war lasted more than a generation. Hearing Lise talk about HER Paris really highlighted that for me. I’m so grateful to those courageous Parisians who didn’t give up. They’re one of the reasons why we still have the Paris we all adore today.

Tune in to hear Lise talk about her early story in post war Paris, growing up in Montparnasse in the 14th arrondissement. Whilst times were tough, she and her siblings never complained or wished for a different life. They had each other.

We find it hard to imagine this reality they all lived and whilst Lise says we shouldn't dwell on the difficult times, (one of the strategies she employs which assists her to be such an amazing survivor I think) it is important to remember this period of history to avoid being repeated.

Eventually Lise and her little family moved to Australia, but with her husband and her children Lise would visit and go back to France often.
Lise now teaches French in south east Melbourne, Australia.
Hear Lise's fave music by Jacques Brel and also traditional fave cuisine Les Rillettes.

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Ep 84 - Finding a little slice of France right where you are...

Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

11/27/22 • 44 min

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles is hosted by Louise Prichard.

Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify PlaylistLoulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

I wonder if chef and restaurant owner Matthew Carnell from Bistro Terroir in Daylesford, Victoria was always destined to be connected to France. After attending a French school trip as a 14 year old, Matt's next Francophile adventure was after he had started his chef's apprenticeship in Australia and he won an award that gave him a month working in a Michelin Star restaurant in Bordeaux.
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Clearly he is a talented chef as on that Bordeaux trip he was offered to stay on after the month when the award prize was finished, but Matthew returned to Australia to complete his apprenticeship. As soon as he was qualified, he made contact with that original Michelin Star chef from Bordeaux and was snapped up for his new restaurant in Paris. A huge learning curve in a formal/top Parisian kitchen ensued with no French language skills, except for how to order a beer!
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Matt also has had extensive experience working in regional France and even had a period working with sustainable food processes and farming. He even explored alternative preserving practices, making "bocaux". This is obviously very different from the bright lights of Paris, with the flavours of beautiful raw produce. Matt has now found a balance with food that is unpretentious with an element of his Michelin Star past, but without overworking the experience.
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Back now in Australia, I have had the pleasure of dining in Matthew's restaurant Bistro Terroir in Daylesford.
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Tune into to this chat to escape to various regions of France with us. Matt recommends some eclectic French music as well as some amazing French dishes not often heard of outside the particular regions.
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Find Matthew's link on the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles have?

Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles currently has 174 episodes available.

What topics does Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles cover?

The podcast is about Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Podcasts, France, French and Travel.

What is the most popular episode on Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles?

The episode title 'Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Ep 84 - Finding a little slice of France right where you are...' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles?

The average episode length on Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles is 38 minutes.

How often are episodes of Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles released?

Episodes of Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles are typically released every 7 days, 3 hours.

When was the first episode of Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles?

The first episode of Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles was released on Oct 8, 2020.

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Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

Louise Prichard

Top 10 Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles have?

What topics does Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles cover?

What is the most popular episode on Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles?

What is the average episode length on Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles?

How often are episodes of Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles released?

When was the first episode of Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles?

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