Paname

About this podcast

Paname will explore some of the unusual, forgotten or unlikely stories about Paris and the Parisians who lived there.

Paname

Episodes

2019
Poor Saint Julien
In this episode discover the story of Poor old Saint Julien and the much overlooked church that bears his name. Once a glorious place of learning it is now overshadowed by an ancient tree and Notre Dame Cathedral. All of this was sparked off by my discovery of Paris' oldest street sign. Find some pictures of said sign and all the rest on Instagram or on my website.
October 22, 2019
Richelieu, the Salaud?
This episode has been inspired by the book ‘Rue des Salauds by Oscar Lambert.’ The premise of his book is that many of the streets of Paris the ‘rue’ have been named after important or famous people thought history even though some of them have rather dubious characters. On his front cover he writes ‘l’histoire leur a donner une rue… et portante’ history gave them a street… and yet’ We might say that they rue day day that they named the rue after them. Since the first entry to the book is non other than our old anti-hero Richelieu I thought it might be a good opportunity to look a little at the man himself, discover if he was indeed a salaud.
May 28, 2019
19. The Haunted Chair
Believe it or not in Paris it is quite possible to become immortal. In fact there are 40 immortals here right at this very moment. So come with me as we explore the cloak and dagger, or should say the cloak and sword world of the Academie Francaise and the mystery of the haunted chair. check out my website or Instagram for pictures & transcripts.
February 18, 2019
2018
18. The Immortal Clockmaker
In this episode as we delve into the urban legend of the Immortal Clockmaker as well as exploring time and timepieces around Paris: from the many curious and often overlooked sundials with their incredible mottos to forgotten meridians, misunderstood meridians and of course clocks: old, beautiful defunct and even revolutionary. For more info, transcripts music and all that stuff go to my website: panamepodcast.com For pics and stories follow me on Instagram
August 22, 2018
17. The Alchemist Nicolas Flamel
Who doesn’t like a good story about the mystical world of Alchemists? Certainly JK Rowling does, as did Victor Hugo, both of which make mention of Paris most famous Alchemist Nicolas Flamel. But who was he? Did he really exist? And did he crack the secret that so many alchemists have been searching for – The Philosphers Stone - the key to eternal life and wealth? And what is alchemy anyway? come with me in this episode as I try and puzzle out what it is all about and go on the hunt for Parisian Alchemists. Follow me on Instagram or check out my website for more info
July 8, 2018
16. Love
In this mini-episode I look at some of the alternatives to the non-tradition of the horrible Love locks which parasite the bridges of Paris and have a look at few examples of love traditions from bygone days. follow me on Instagram for photos relevant to each episode @panamepodcast or check out my website for transcripts and photos www.panamepodcast.com
March 26, 2018
15. The Bloody Barber of Rue des Marmousets
Growing up in London I was familiar with the story of Sweeney Todd the bloody barber of fleet street who would cut more than your hair before despatching you to his neighbour Mrs Lovatt to turn you into a pie. So imagine my surprise when, on moving to Paris I discover that they have claimed this story as their own. Sweeney Pierre maybe? I decided to investigate and see who really, if anyone owns this story and if I can find out if there is any truth in it. see pictures on my website: panamepodcast.com or follow me on instagram @panamepodcast
March 20, 2018
14. The Obelisk
The obelisk, at over 22 meters high, made from rose Granit and weighing in at an estimated 227 tonnes sits proudly in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and at over 3,000 year old is Paris’ oldest monument. Come with me and lets find out about the fraught journey of the Obelisk from Louxor to Paris. Follow me on Facebook or Instagram @panamepodcast You can also find transcripts, links to music and more on my website
March 13, 2018
13. The Flood of 1910
Paris has avoided destruction time and time again in her long history. Saint Genevieve got down on her knees and, as if by miracle, Attila and his horde avoided Paris. Vikings came and went, siege, disease and urban planners all reeked havoc on Paris. Both World War I and II threated Paris with ruin. So it was surprising for me to learn that the Seine, the river that runs through Paris, fundamental to the cities identity, nearly caused its downfall in 1910 when it flooded. For pictures, transcripts go to my website: panamepodcast.com Music: The Owl, Dance Nostalgique Further reading: 'Paris Under Water' by Jeffrey H. Jackson follow me on Instagram to see pictures @panamepodcast email: panamepodcast@gmail.com
March 6, 2018
12. A Whiff of Grapeshot
Come with me to the Saint Roch church and have a look at some of the scars left on Paris. These particular ones date all the way back to the Revolution and can blamed a certain young Corsican and, in the words of historian Thomas Carlyle, a whiff of grapeshot. Music by The Owl Find transcripts on my website Revolutionary calendar Further reading Andrew Roberts - Napoleon the Great.
January 28, 2018
2017
11. Homme Rouge
There is a legend that tells of 'Le Petit Homme Rouge', the Little Red Man that haunted the Tuileries palace for over 300 years, between about 1570 when it was built to 1871 when it was burnt down by the Paris Commune. He appeared only to the inhabitants of the palace, in other words kings, queens and emperors and was, usually, a harbinger of doom or bad tidings. Come with me and find out more about this curious urban legend.
December 22, 2017
10. Saint Médard
"God is forbidden by order of the King to perform any more miracles in the cemetery of Saint-Médard." Find out why in this episode. For pictures & transcripts go to panamepodcast.com music by The Owl
November 20, 2017
9. La Cour des Miracles
La Cour des Miracles, so named because each night, as if by miracle, the blind would regain their sight, the deaf hear their names being called and the lame regain use of their limbs. In this episode come with me to the slum of 17th Century Paris precariously perched between the city proper and the outside world; a hidden den of thieves, outlaws and prostitues made famous by Victor Hugo in his novel 'Notre Dame de Paris.' Music by The Owl
October 28, 2017
8. Landru
In this episode we will be finding out about one of Frances' most famous serial killers, a storybook monster come to life: Henri Desiré Landru, otherwise known as the real Blue Beard. Like his fictive namesake he had a full beard, even though it was not blue, and a propensity for murder. Music from The Owl Other clips include: Renaud, Charles Trent, Mr Verdoux See picture on my website
October 12, 2017
16 min
7. La Guillotine
When the French talk of The Revolution of 1789 they might want us to think ‘Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité’ but most of us probably think of the Guillotine. Come with me as we find traces of her around Paris and discover how her status, stature and use changed over the 200 years that she was used as the means of execution in France.
September 26, 2017
23 min
6. The Gouffé Affaire
Following on from the last episode we discover how sometimes the Paris Morgue did indeed help to catch a villein but not as you might expect. The Gouffé affair also known as the 'Bloody trunk' or 'malle sanglante' in French, was a media sensation in 19th Century Paris. The body of Augustin Gouffé was discovered stuffed into a wooden trunk but thanks to the pioneering work in forensics of Dr Lacassange and the unusual move of displaying the trunk at the Paris Morgue the criminals were found and brought to justice. Music from 'The Owl' http://www.youtube.com/c/theowlmusic
August 17, 2017
10 min
5. The Morgue
Between 1864 and 1907, behind the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Parisians in their thousands would go to visit the public morgue and see the unclaimed dead displayed behind a huge window. Find out more about this most macabre of activities and the beautiful 'drown Mona Lisa' also know as 'l'inconnue de la Seine' and how she became the most kissed person in the world. Music 'The Owl' http://www.youtube.com/c/theowlmusic Further reading: 'Spectacular Realities' Vanessa R. Schwartz
July 4, 2017
1 min
4. Bertillon
Meet Alphones Bertillon, the French Sherlock Holmes. He revolutionised police work and his legacy lives on this very day and yet his stubbornness nearly resulted in the loss of one of the Louvre's most precious works of art. Music by The Owl: http://www.youtube.com/c/theowlmusic and Poddington Bear. Logo design by the fabulous Double Merrick: https://doublemerrick.myshopify.com
June 22, 2017
14 min
3. Père Lachaise
Let's take a walk through Paris' most famous cemetery and discover how, even centuries after their death, the tragic love story of Abelard and Heloise changed the fortunes of this cemetery, making it the number one place to be buried. Music from 'The Owl' find more of her work here: https://www.youtube.com/c/theowlmusic Logo designed by the talented Double Merrick; find more of his work here: https://doublemerrick.myshopify.com
June 13, 2017
14 min
2. Bastille
In this episode we will discover what elephants, giraffes and ancient Egyptian mummies have to do with Bastille and where the prison went. Intro music 'La Danse Nostalgique' by The Owl, find more of her work here: https://oldowl.bandcamp.com/ Art work from Double Merrick, find his fabulous prints here: https://doublemerrick.myshopify.com
May 31, 2017
9 min

Paname

About this podcast

Categories

About this podcast

Categories

Paname

Episodes

Poor Saint Julien

Richelieu, the Salaud?

19. The Haunted Chair

18. The Immortal Clockmaker

17. The Alchemist Nicolas Flamel

16. Love

15. The Bloody Barber of Rue des Marmousets

14. The Obelisk

13. The Flood of 1910

12. A Whiff of Grapeshot

11. Homme Rouge

10. Saint Médard

9. La Cour des Miracles

8. Landru

7. La Guillotine

6. The Gouffé Affaire

5. The Morgue

4. Bertillon

3. Père Lachaise

2. Bastille