YouTube Channels

I love Les Frenchies. I have been reviewing their You Tube videos on taking the train and getting through CDG and buying tickets for the metro. I've been before, but as a solo traveler I usually watch the videos to remind me of the finer points of getting around.

I'm not as crazy about Les Frenchies as others are....can't stand to watch people eating and chewing with eye-rolling and some moaning thrown in. Just my personal foible! They are marketing professionals so they must think others enjoy watching folks eat, lol. They have an active FB community as well.

I like the youtube/FB walking tours, particularly France with Vero (Vero is a RS guide) and Corey Frye's A French Frye in Paris. I've gotten some really good ideas from them on figuring out my own DIY walking tours in Paris.

I’m not keen on Les Frenchies either.
Not sure why.

I like Jay Swanson’s channel.
He’s a younger American fellow from Wash. State.
He’s lived in Paris for quite a few years.
Lots of tips for food and coffee places, and he has a cute dog!

https://youtu.be/4W4SehUIt6k?feature=shared

I still watch Les Frenchies (I close my eyes when she puts food in her mouth). I found the videos helpful prior to my first trip to Paris and now I like to see the street scenes. I am not sure if I agree with their restaurant recommendations. I like to support their channel (not that they need another viewer as they have loads) because fat, old folks are in my demographic.

I am , low key, learning both French and Japanese. I really enjoy France*Table and Voyage channel. It is relaxing to watch. It is a Japanese couple that visit different cafe's , bistros and restaurants. I mark the one's that look good to me on my Google maps so that I have some options when I find myself hungry in different neighborhoods. You can hear and see both French and Japanese language in the videos which is great for me.

I also like Gorogoro Kitchen. It is a Japanese editor and her husband living in Paris. They visit shops, markets and restaurants. I love to listen to their banter as they film, but it is the scenery that is the draw.

I have watched all of Cory Frye's videos as well and some of Vero's.

The videos make great background TV color while I am listening to music and doing computer work.
YouTube has become a big part of my trip planning.

"I still watch Les Frenchies (I close my eyes when she puts food in her mouth)."

Oh gosh...I'm glad to know you do that, lol!!

I unsubscribed from Les Frenchies for the reasons Pam mentioned. Just too over the top. But I've saved their instructional videos about the Paris metro, which I found really informative.

I've never seen an eating You Tube of Les Frenchies. Thanks for the warning not to watch one.

Just for you Laurie Beth! The eating starts about 1:30 in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLFEHA1nZbY

Youtube is full of people travelling to and living in all kinds of places, some good and some bad. It could take a lifetime ot watch them all.

I got some useful info from Les Frenchies but tired of them after a while. I still enjoy the many walking tours where people strap a Gopro to their chest and ... just walk.

Gee, Pam, thanks. I could have probably gone all day without watching that one. One person should taste while other talks. What would their grandmothers say?

Blockquote I’m not keen on Les Frenchies either.
Not sure why.
I like Jay Swanson’s channel.

Proof YouTube has something for everyone. I found Jay a total waste of time. His gushing over coffee and constant “I know something I’m only telling if you pay” was a turnoff. But I enjoyed Les Frenchies. I also like A French Fyre in Paris but he’s not producing much new content

I find the frenchies silly and pointless. I watched a portion of one show, but could not make it until the end. Their advice is based upon common elements taken from basic guidebooks, I find it difficult to believe that they actually live in Paris.

The information available in this forum is likely to be more relevant and timely than anything that can be learned by this Youtube show.

Blockquote. The information available in this forum is likely to be more relevant and timely than anything that can be learned by this Youtube show

Or the information to be learned in this forum is likely to be as bad as any place else. It’s not like Rick Steves has a monopoly on good information or bad information. I’ve read some stuff in here that is flat out wrong but you know it’s not worth worrying about. 😂

As someone who’s gone to Paris, numerous times I have actually learned something from almost everyone, including the YouTuber I don’t like (what I learned from him that wasn’t worth suffering through the parts. I don’t like, but I did learn a few things)

I even learn things from the few times I’ve bothered to watch the people that just walk around. And I will admit I actually will look at those a week or so before I go to Paris to see what the weather is like. Because seeing the temperature is good, but seeing how people dress for the temperature gives you a much better idea of how you need to pack imho

What made me laugh was watching the video "5 Best Restaurants & Bistros in Paris (Where Locals Eat)", where the 5 "secret" restaurants that are presented by the Frenchies as being hidden gems unknown to tourists, have a large majority of reviews on Google in English, Korean, Portuguese, Hebrew, Turkish... etc.

(and which were posted before the video)

Been following Jay Swanson for many years. I too watch Les Frenchies and occasionally A French Frye in Paris.

Never heard of Les Frenchies before this post. Will probably never think about them again after this post.

I like Ben Robson. Young man from somewhere in the United Kingdom. No manufactured breathless enthusiasm. Judicious use of music. Nice videos.

I can’t stand Les Frenchies for many reasons. Nails on a blackboard to me.

Hundreds of other great YouTube hosts/travel videos that are much better imo. Check out Aselya Fontin’s South of France YouTube videos, she’s wonderful. Especially her Moustier Sainte Marie video.

As Pam mentioned, France with Véro is outstanding.

I also like Wolter’s World YouTube travel shows.

Watching Les Frenchies eating and rolling their eyes with every BIG bite, is hard to watch.. They do have some good content, but my husband hates it when I try to watch.

I loved Corey Fry's "French Fry in Paris" videos and Vero's videos

I never really cared for them, thought most of their advice was just OK, but they recently posted a Here's who we are and our story video that I thought was pretty interesting. I thought he was French Canadian or such, and she was a hick from Salt Lick. But they've actually been out there and done things and decided to do the expat thing in France.

One thing they downplay, if you're thinking of making such a move, is how important it was that he was in fact French born and spoke fluently. They just kind of gloss over that.

True about the negative aspects of Les Frenchies.

I much prefer "Easy French" and others like that to review and acquire more French language, ie grammar, expressions, idioms, scenes of Paris, and all that lovely stuff.

In addition to her talking with a mouth full of food very often, they both go out of their way to say French words and French place names wrong, with a very bad American accent. And he is French.

One of the many reasons i love Véro is she teaches Americans how to say French words and place names the right way.

And as Tocard and JoLui said, every place they recommend and all their “information” is in every guide book.

There are so many better YouTubers to watch.

Thank you, Daniel. I appreciate the kind words 😁

I find hysterical that people are commenting on YouTube peoples pronunciation of words on Rick Steves. Are you going to trash your host to?

I feel like some of this is just an attempt to talk about how superior we are

Wow! This thread certainly took a negative turn. The OP did a great job of sharing what he found helpful about these particular channels in case someone else might find it useful too. Some of us may find this info new and helpful, while others have different favorites.

Each creator tries to bring us the content that they think we might find useful and entertaining. Each one offers something different for a variety of viewer interests and needs. But behind each of these YouTube channels, there are real human beings with feelings just trying to do their best.

My grandmother taught me something too. "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all. "

I would think there'd be more trashing of the millenial YT-ers who have zero concept of actual Paris, as compared to Les Frenchies, for example....

I've seen YT-ers work illegally in Paris for their American companies (not just videoing themselves), I've also seen them suggest packing a super-large external battery (above what airlines allow for) for trips, and others who forget to mention on their YT channel that they have TSA pre check, etc...

There is nothing wrong, nothing “superior”, or “not nice” about politely disagreeing and offering better sources for information. It is done all day, every day on this forum and why this forum exists… to help the OP and anyone else reading a thread by giving them information and different perspectives.

Rick doesn’t mind opinions different from his, which is why he created this forum.

I'm going to bring this back to a more positive spin. I think it's great the OP (and many, many others) find Les Frenchies useful. And, I think it's nice of them to want to share something they've found helpful to their travel planning. One of the great things about social media is our access to SO many resources to help us with our future travel plans. For those who are seasoned French travelers and French speakers, you might not find Les Frenchies as interesting so I might suggest visiting Histoire de Rue (https://linktr.ee/histoirederue). He has an Instagram and Facebook page and offers a fascinating perspective on the various areas of Paris (and also other parts of France.) All of his information is in French (as are his tours). If you love Paris, speak (read/understand) French, enjoy history, and love learning about unique places in Paris (and all around France) then you should check this page out.
I know I plan to check out some of the other YouTube suggestions offered and will also continue to check out Les Frenchies.

Yes, there are different opinions about Les Frenchies. I do understand the food comments. However, I believe they offer great practical information, like using the metro/RER systems and buses, (which many Americans ignore). Recently, I suggested they film about using the healthcare system in case one might need it. They liked the idea! I speak French and I think Antoine's accent subtle since he's only been back in France for a couple of years. Colleen's French is horrible (and so is Rick's and so is my husband's). I also like Wolter, and I will check out Jay Swanson. We're in France now and will be spending around 2 months in Paris. Vero is sometimes a bit dry for me, yet she does have some good info too.

I think they’re a lot of options after on YouTube and you don’t have to like all of them. I think it’s great that there are a lot of options for all of us.

There’s several I watched once that I would never ever spend another five minutes on. The nice thing is I never have to. But someone else might really like that vlog.

My one caveat is if you’re planning your vacation using only social media when it doesn’t work out like it did on the videos, see a mirror for your problem. You cannot plan a vacation using these tools. They’re great to get some additional information but they give you completely unrealistic expectations. I’m on a Facebook group where people keep referring to some blogger who makes it look like you can do London in one day. And the reason, just like Rick, this Vlogger wears the same clothes every time she videos. So it looks like she’s done 15 different things in one city and one day. No she was there two weeks but wore the same clothes every time she did a video it’s just like Rick, he’ll tell you it takes him so many days to Record a show but if you look, he’s wearing the same shirt throughout the video😂 no he didn’t do every site in Rome in one day! .

If you are visiting the French Riviera, check out the Me and Mon Ami You Tube channel.

https://youtube.com/@MeandMonAmi?si=OwbCqw91SykDxgX-

Mr. Boo and Tim Fountain are Brits who have lived in Villefranche sur Mer for about 17 years. Two years ago they purchased a Citroen Ami electric car so small it does not require a driver’s license to operate.

Their vlog details visiting endless perched villages and the challenges of always seeking a charge coordinating timing their village visits to catch lunch between 12 and 2. Because their tiny Ami is able to negotiate these narrow medieval village streets, it gives you a perspective not otherwise seen.

They share the history of the Riviera, many beautiful paths to walk along the Mediterranean, public transportation tips and much more. At the end of each video they launch their drone providing some spectacular footage.

Their channel is still small enough that they answer your specific questions within 24 hours.

Jill