This is the second part of my conversation with Maryse Mounier, a hard-working French woman growing bourbon vanilla on the Réunion island. Maryse will tell us in details about the process vanilla beans go through from the harvest until they are ready to be sold on the market. You'll probably be surprised by how precise each stage is! (temperature, time, etc.). Vanilla from La Réunion is unfortunately on the decline despite its excellent quality as it suffers from competition from Madagascar. Maryse will share her best tips on how to tell a good quality vanilla from a mediocre one – if … Read More →

Today's guest Maryse Mounier is a very energetic woman who is passionate about vanilla. She is working, on her own, in the forest where she grows Bourbon vanilla, a type of vanilla which is famous worldwide for its high quality and strong flavour. Bourbon was actually the former name of La Réunion island and we call "vanille bourbon" the vanilla beans coming from the vanilla planifolia plant. You can also find vanilla planifolia in other areas such as Madagascar or the Comoros but they are grown differently. For example, Maryse Mounier's plantation is located on a very old lava track … Read More →

Frenchwoman Stéphanie Brillant is the director (= réalisatrice) of documentary film "Brainious" – "Le cerveau des enfants" in French. I first watched the documentary because as a parent, I want to be the best possible guide for my daughter, develop and maintain a strong bond with her based on trust so she can become a confident and independent person. Although the film gives food for thought about how to best help children to reach their full potential, it is not only aimed at parents or caregivers: it is also an invitation to understand oneself, to explore how our present behaviours … Read More →

For the first time in French Voices, I’m interviewing a guest from La Réunion! Réunion Island is a tropical French department (un département d’Outre-Mer = overseas region) located in the Indian Ocean. It is known for its beautiful landscapes, with volcanoes, rainforest, coral reefs and beaches. Guest Aline Peltier is a volcanologist (=volcanologue) working at the Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise. Aline specialises in geodesy, the science of measuring and understanding the earth's geometric shape. What does that mean, in the context of volcanoes? It means that by using … Read More →

This is the second part of my conversation with Frenchman Alain Collas, passionate about the Napoleonic Era and a cuirassier during the historical reenactments of the battles of the Napoleonic army. What’s exactly happening during the reenactments? I was curious to find out whether they were above all a show for the audience to see action and costumes or whether they were precise and based upon actual facts and details. Historical reenactments really are a passion for which many enthusiasts from all countries gather together, meeting on the very sites where Napoleon fought his battles. They … Read More →

On my last trip to France, I was welcomed by the mayor of my hometown for an interview at the town hall – in the meeting room, which is also the official room where marriages are celebrated. Find out how a French mayor is elected, what his roles are, facts about getting married in France and much more! Episode Timeline Part 1 A mayor and another occupation What made E.Dhuicq run for mayor? The ballot and office staff list Part 2 How and for how long a French mayor is elected The prerequisites to run for mayor The roles of a mayor Part 3 Funding / Money Projects and … Read More →

This is the second part of my conversation with Jean Auquier, the manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée in Brussels, Belgium – home to many famous cartoonists and characters. This episode focuses on the cutest and tiniest characters of Belgian comic art, the Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs). How were they born? Why are the Smurfs blue? What makes the Smurfs so popular? Why is the Smurf language so interesting, linguistically and socially? Here are only a handful of the many aspects we’ll discuss in this interview! Episode Timeline Part 1 How the Smurfs were born Why are the Smurfs … Read More →

Jean Auquier is the manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée in Brussels, Belgium. Belgium is home of many famous cartoonist and characters such as Tintin, the Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs), etc. Why is it that comic strip became a specialty, a symbol of this small country? Learn about the history and the evolution of this popular form of art and culture and about the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée itself in the first part of this fascinating conversation with Jean Auquier! Episode Timeline Part 1 How is Belgium associated to comic books? How the first comic strips were … Read More →