December 2nd 1804, Napoléon Bonaparte is crowned Emperor of the French. Over the next decade, he will keep reforming and modernizing France, but he will also fight the rest of Europe. He will become master of the continent, defeating all his enemies on land, only to go too far and to see Europe strike back at him and at France.This is the second part of Napoléon's great adventure. If you haven't already done so, I encourage you to listen to the first part as well as to my episode on the French Revolution. Let us follow Napoléon and the Grande Armée on the battlefields of Germany, Poland, Russia, Spain and France. And then we will land on a tiny island, on the middle of the Atlantic. The Napoleonic adventure is one of strong contrasts, as you shall see.Timecodes:Introduction04:20 - From Consul to Emperor12:40 - The First French Empire and the Grande Armée24:04 - The Fourth Coalition War and the Continental System31:48 - The Peninsular War and the Fifth Coalition44:02 - The Beginning of the Downfall: Russia50:50 - Europe Strikes Back1:00:00 - The Exile on Saint Helena1:03:23 - ConclusionMusic: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.Art: 1814, Campagne de France, by Ernest MeissonierSupport the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

Napoléon Bonaparte doesn't really need an introduction. He's the most famous Frenchman ever. He's had more books written about him than any other person, except for Jesus Christ. This French general and emperor shook France, Europe and the world at the turn of the nineteenth century.He is also a polarizing figure. Enlightened ruler, or tyrannic dictator? In this episode, we will explore the fantastic story that led him from humble origins in Corsica to being the focus of all of Europe's monarchs and armies.Note: I strongly encourage you to listen to my previous episode on the French Revolution. You might miss a bit in the years of 1789 to 1799 if you are not aware of some facts that I talked about then.Timecodes:Introduction06:10 - Humble beginnings 14:36 - From promising officer to superstar General20:12 - Joséphine and the Italian Campaign29:48 - The Egyptian Legend42:36 - Napoléon takes over France53:51 - ConclusionMusic: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.Art: Bonaparte devant le Sphinx by Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1867-1868Support the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

The French Revolution shook the world from 1789 to 1799 and completely transformed modern European societies. By ricochet, it transformed the whole world.  It was a real political tsunami, with immediate and long term consequences. With the following Napoleonic wars, it shaped the Nineteenth century in a way that nobody could foresee only a generation before.There are many misconceptions about the French Revolution, like the idea that a mob captured the king and guillotined him right away. It's not at all what happened. It's a lot more complicated than that. Hopefully you will find this episode palatable and a good entry into the fascinating events of the Révolution.For those who want to know more, I highly recommend that you listen to "Grey History: The French Revolution & Napoleon" by William Clark.Timecodes:Introduction06:53 - The Origins of the Révolution17:25  - Adieu, Old Regime!26:48  - Working with Louis XVI36:15  - The French Republic41:37  - The Terreur48:16  - The Directoire53:58  - The Consulat57:57  - ConclusionMusic: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.Art: Prise de la Bastille by Jean-Pierre Houël, 1789Support the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

Of the millions of people who are born every year during the Middle Ages, an extremely small number are what we call “blue bloods”, members of the nobility. Out of that already small number, a little percentage can be called “royalty”. Someone who manages to be a monarch not only for one country but for two countries, two adversaries, that is more than rare, that’s unique.Today, we have the chance of meeting such a woman. Duchess of Aquitaine, Queen of France and Queen of England. I give you: Aliénor d’Aquitaine (Eleanor of Aquitaine).Timecodes:Introduction04:19 - Aquitaine, a Country within a Kingdom 07:53 - Aliénor, Remarkable Young Woman12:16 - Queen of France20:18 - The Failed Crusade25:12 - Queen of England30:15 - The Widow32:53 - ConclusionMusic: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.Art: Aliénor d'Aquitaine by Frederick Sandys, 1858Support the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

This part-two of a two-part episode on the Hundred Years' War. I encourage you to listen to the previous episode if you haven't already done so. England owns a third of the French kingdom. War has ravaged France for a quarter of a century. The Black Death has killed millions of people and keeps coming back. At the end of the XIVth century, France is in its worst state probably ever. But the French will fight back, under the leadership of Charles VII and of an extraordinary young woman, Jeanne d'Arc. Listen to this extraordinary medieval tale full of bravery, foolishness and cruelty.Listen to HOLOCAUST HiSTORIES  podcast! Timecodes:Introduction05:56 - Civil War in France and the Arrival of Henry V10:43 - The Battle of Azincourt (Agincourt)13:26 - Jeanne d'Arc and the French Resurgence21:58 - Jeanne d'Arc at Orléans28:23 - France Reconquered34:53 - ConclusionMusic: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.Art: The death of John Talbot at the Battle of Castillon. XVth century.Support the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

The Hundred Years' War or la guerre de Cent Ans in French. That enormous conflict, or series of conflicts actually, ravaged France from 1337 to 1453.The vast majority of English or American history podcasts or books have an English point of view regarding this conflict. This is perfectly normal and understandable, but I will try to bring more of a French perspective, focusing more on the French side of things.Given the scope of the war and its complexity, I have decided to split this story into two episodes. This is part one, covering the initial invasion of France by England up until the reign of Charles V of France in 1364.This story has absolutely everything. Family feuds, epic battles, betrayals, heroes, villains. All set in medieval France. And narrated by yours truly. What else could you ask for?  Listen to Cork Out History podcast!Timecodes:Introduction04:01 - Context08:39 - The Origins of the War15:34 - Two Kingdoms at War19:31 - Crécy and the Downward Spiral for France23:35 - The Black Death and the Battle of Poitiers31:35 - France, the Duchies and the arrival of Charles VMusic: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.Art: Bataille de Crécy in the "Chroniques de Jean Froissart", XVth centurySupport the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

Vikings in France. Here's an often ignored topic for historical discussion. In this special episode, we try to remedy to that situation. I say "we" because we have a guest on this one, historian and author Christophe Adrien, specialist on the Viking world and especially their role in Brittany.Join us as we discuss Vikings, Franks, longships, silver and salt!Listen to Passed, the podcast about those who would never rule. Timecodes:Introduction01:52 - What is a Viking exactly?03:32 - Noiremoutier and the Vikings09:54 - The Vikings' Genius  14:49 -  Motivations and Viking Studies21:54 - Viking Diplomacy29:31 - The Normans32:52 - Vikings in Brittany & Expansion41:58 - Conclusion Christophe's Website: https://cjadrien.comChristophe's Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCML3AVHfBP1H3QZn3aROvzwMusic: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.Art: Drawing Viking by Rones (freesvg.org), design by Emmanuel DuboisSupport the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

Charlemagne is one of the most important figures of the Middle Ages. He ruled from 768 to 814 as king of the Franks, and became Roman Emperor in 800. He conquered peoples, built institutions and completely changed Europe's political trajectory. One cannot stress enough the importance of his reign and his legacy. I think you will find him a complex and fascinating character. And maybe, you will also recognize some of him and what he accomplished in yourself or in your daily life.Listen to Grand Dukes of the West podcast! Timecodes:Introduction04:03 - Charlemagne's Grand-Father and Father10:52 - Charles, King of the Franks16:20 -  Becoming Roman Emperor22:04 -  The Carolingian Renaissance27:01 - Charles the Great's Legacy32:20 - ConclusionMusic: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.Art: Charlemagne by Albrecht DürerSupport the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

In this special episode, we travel outside of France, to Prussia, guided by Alec Avdakov from the podcast "The Life and Times of Frederick the Great". Make sure to check out his podcast.Voltaire was in Berlin, at the court of Prussia from 1750 to 1753, invited by the Prussian King Frederic II, known as Frederic the Great. This is a perfect example of the global effect of the French Enlightenment and how various monarchs reacted differently to the movement.I've had the chance to conduct an interview with Alec regarding's Voltaire's Prussian experience. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!Correction: I called Voltaire an atheist although he was in fact a deist. Sorry about that.Timecodes:Introduction03:10 - What is Prussia? 08:40 - Voltaire and Frederick, the French Connection15:35 - Arrival at the Prussian Court27:08 - Voltaire's Prussian Experience33:15 - The Consequences of Voltaire's Stay in Prussia40:02 - ConclusionThe Life and Times of Frederick the Great Podcast by Alec Avdakov: https://anchor.fm/frederick-the-greatMusic: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.Art: Frederick II of Prussia and Voltaire, by Pierre Charles Baquoy, circa 1800Support the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

We live in an enlightened world. We owe a lot to the men and women of the XVIIIth century and what they gave us. During this period, all over Europe, but especially in France, sciences, politics, literature, art, philosophy and many other aspect of society were being dissected, studied and written on.You know their names: Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Montesquieu, du Châtelet, Lavoisier, de Gouges and others. They are the ones who laid the foundation for the very States we live in, at least in the democratic parts of the world. Modern governments and societies derive directly from the work of these people that we consider part of the Lumières era.Let me give you an idea of how they managed to do that, why they did it, as well as the dramatic consequences that ensued.Timecodes:Introduction05:45 - Turning the lights on 09:32 - Various aspects of the Enlightenment 14:25 - The Encyclopédie and the sciences23:52 - Laws, societies and the consequences of the Enlightenment30:14 - ConclusionMusic: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.Painting: Première lecture chez Mme Geoffrin de la tragédie de Voltaire "L'Orphelin de la Chine" , 1755. By Anicet Charles LemonnierSupport the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

Probably the most famous French monarch, Louis XIV left a deep mark on France and Europe. Over his 72-year  reign, from 1643 to 1715, he accomplished many things. He conquered new territory, expanded France's colonies, modernized the country, built monuments, created major institutions and became an absolute monarch. Even North America was touched by him. Louisiana was named after him, and many American cities come from French forts and counters established then.Learn about him and the changes he brought to France and the world during his reign in this episode!Time codes:Introduction05:23 - The Fronde revolt, Louis’s childhood09:26 - Louis’s Personal Reign19:28 - Versailles23:36 - Wars and Conquests28:56 - New France and Louisiana31:05 - The Sun King’s Dusk33:39 - ConclusionMusic: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.Artwork: Portrait of Louis XIV in coronation costume, Hyacinthe Rigaud, 1701.Support the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

The Franco-Prussian war of 1870 is an important but often neglected conflict. Most people don't even know about it. In America,  even history fans go straight from the Civil War to World War I, not really taking into account this major conflict that happened in between.Let's fix this, shall we? We'll discuss the origins of the conflict, its course and its huge consequences. In the last section, we'll discuss some alternative history. What if France had won that war? I think you'll be surprised as to what that entails.Time codes:Introduction03:03 - Why this subject?06:46 - The Northern German Confederation11:26 - Origins of the Conflict14:15 - The War20:39 - Consequences23:22 - What if? & ConclusionArtwork for this episode: Ernest Meissonier, Le Siège de Paris, musée d'Orsay.Support the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

For our second episode, we are taking a grand Tour de France. This is a complete overview of France's 20 centuries long history. It is not exhaustive, of course, but it should help people refresh their memory or get a better grip on the whole of French history. Everyone should then be able to enjoy and appreciate future episodes even more.Should you wish to go directly to specific eras, here are the time codes:00:00 - Introduction and Antiquity03:31 - Barbarian Invasions and the Frankish Kingdom 07:25 - Charlemagne & Carolingian Empire11:21 - The Birth of France21:50 - The Hundred Years' War28:49 - The Plague & The Renaissance32:06 - Wars of Religion & Rise of Absolute Monarchy35:25 - Louis  XIV39:45 - Louis XV, Seven Years' War & the Lumières43:25 - The French Revolution 49:25 - Napoléon53:11 - The Restoration, Second Republic and Second Empire1:00:23 - The Third Republic and WWI1:06:21 - The Inter-War and WWII1:09:34 - The Fourth Republic and Decolonization1:11:59 - The Fifth Republic, De Gaulle and ConclusionRecommended books:Maurice Druon: Les Rois MauditsChrétien de Troyes: Perceval ou le Conte du GraalAlexandre Dumas: Les Trois MousquetairesVictor Hugo: Les MisérablesSupport the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

On our first episode, we get to meet the man himself, La Fayette. His importance, his actions in America during the War of Independence, as well as in France during the Revolution, Napoléon era and after. A truly fascinating figure!TimecodesIntroduction & thanks3:24 - La Fayette's youth and start of American adventure7:19 - Historical context14:20 - American War of Independence15:55 - French Revolution & Napoléon19:50 - Restoration, July Monarchy and 1830 Revolution22:28 - ConclusionLinks to the podcasters who inspired and helped me:Seth Healey: Hugos There Podcast &  Take Me to Your Reader PodcastLori, Amy, Haley & Kevin: Hugo Girl! PodcastPhil Nichols & Colin Kuskie: Science-Fiction 101 PodcastJeff Palermo: Sci-Fi on Screen Podcast, Jeff Reads YouTube Channel, Jeff Screens YouTube ChannelRecommended reads: Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence by John FerlingThe Global Seven Years War 1754 - 1763: Britain and France in a Great Power Contest by Daniel A. BaughSupport the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic

In this intro episode you get to meet your host and learn about my goals for this podcast. Why am I doing it? Who is it for? Hopefully, it’ll be for you!The first complete episode is coming soon. Stay tuned! You can send feedback and requests at emmanuel@lafayettepodcast.comSupport the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Twitter, Mastodon, Reddit & Instagram Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsBecome a patron on Patreon to support the showGet beautiful “La Fayette, We are Here!” merchandise from TeePublic