About L'Étranger
You think you know French history. The Revolution, Napoleon. The guillotine. But France’s past is far more complex, and often much more surprising, than any familiar outline suggests.
From the medieval battles that shaped a kingdom, to the court of Versailles, to the upheaval of the Paris Commune, French history is marked by powerful figures, profound change, and moments that reshaped the world. Though many of these moments are rarely told in full.
L'Étranger takes a fresh look at these stories, returning to the ones you think you know and uncovering those you don’t. French history from a foreign perspective.
Every episode is rigorously researched and told with the drama and humanity that history deserves.
Your host
I’m Ciaran Donaghy - an Irishman with a French wife and an obsession with France and with her history. L'Étranger is my attempt to share that obsession with the world, one story at a time.
Influences
L'Étranger stands on the shoulders of some brilliant podcasters whose work has shaped how I think about history storytelling.
Emmanuel Dubois's Lafayette, We Are Here showed me that French history could be told in English with genuine passion and rigour. David Montgomery's The Siècle demonstrated what it looks like when a non-academic commits completely to a subject and does it justice. Dan Carlin's Hardcore History remains the gold standard for long-form narrative history, nobody makes the past feel more urgent or more alive. Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook's The Rest is History proved that two people who genuinely love history and aren't afraid to have opinions make for irresistible listening. And Dr Gary Girod's The French History Podcast has been an invaluable companion and a constant reminder of how rich this subject truly is.
To all of them, and the many more besides - merci.
Get in touch
Got a question, a suggestion, or just want to talk French history? Get in touch.