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Childhood friends turned internet sensations Alex Durand and Tom Carles, known collectively as AT Frenchies, are back in the spotlight with a new book that explores the quirks of French life, the bond between France and the United States, and the elusive question of what makes Parisians tick. The duo appeared on France 24's "Entre Nous" program to discuss their latest project, "Pardon Our French," which delves into their shared journey from growing up together in France to building lives that straddle two cultures on opposite sides of the Atlantic.
The interview, hosted by Amanda Alexander, examined a deceptively simple question: can Parisians actually teach the rest of the world something about happiness? For Alex and Tom, the answer appears to lie not in grand philosophical revelations but in the everyday attitudes and small rituals that define life in the French capital. Their perspective is shaped by years of navigating both French and American expectations, giving them a unique vantage point on how the two societies approach well-being, work, and personal fulfillment.
AT Frenchies have built a substantial following by offering comedic yet affectionate observations about French culture, often through the lens of their own experiences abroad. Their content frequently touches on the stereotypes and genuine differences that emerge when French and American habits collide. The new book expands on that territory, blending memoir with cultural commentary as the two friends recount their parallel paths and the moments that shaped their understanding of both countries.
The timing of the book and the interview reflects a broader cultural moment in which questions of happiness and quality of life have become central to public debate in many Western societies. France has long held a reputation for a certain art de vivre, a phrase that captures an approach to daily life emphasizing pleasure, balance, and savoring the moment. Yet the reality of Parisian life is more complicated than the postcard version, as the hosts and their guests acknowledged. The city's residents grapple with the same modern pressures as anyone else, from work stress to housing costs to the challenges of maintaining social connections in a fast-paced urban environment.
What Alex and Tom bring to the conversation is the perspective of insiders who have also spent significant time as outsiders. Having grown up in France, they understand the cultural codes that can seem impenetrable to visitors. But having also built lives partly in the United States, they can see those codes from a distance, recognizing which aspects of French life are genuinely worth emulating and which are simply habits that feel normal only because they are familiar.
Their transatlantic journey forms the backbone of the discussion. The two friends described the experience of living between two cultures not as a matter of choosing one over the other but as an ongoing negotiation. They spoke about their affection for both France and America, acknowledging the strengths and frustrations of each. This dual loyalty allows them to appreciate what the French do well, such as prioritizing leisure and social connection, without romanticizing it or dismissing the genuine difficulties that come with life in France.
The challenge of writing a book together also featured prominently in the conversation. Collaboration between close friends can be fraught, and the pair did not shy away from describing the tensions that arise when two people with strong opinions try to shape a single narrative. Yet the process also deepened their friendship, forcing them to articulate what they really think about the cultures they know so well. The result is a project that reflects not just their individual voices but the dynamic between them, which has been part of their appeal since they first began creating content together.
The interview also touched on the phenomenon of French bashing, a topic that has attracted increasing attention in both French and American media. The term refers to the tendency, particularly in English-language commentary, to criticize France and French people in ways that range from playful teasing to outright hostility. AT Frenchies occupy an interesting position in this landscape, offering humor about French habits without descending into contempt. Their approach suggests that it is possible to laugh at cultural differences while maintaining genuine respect and affection for the people behind them.
For viewers and readers unfamiliar with AT Frenchies, the duo represents a newer generation of cultural ambassadors who operate outside traditional channels. Rather than presenting themselves as experts or official representatives, they share personal anecdotes and observations, allowing their audience to draw their own conclusions. This informal approach has proven effective at building bridges between French and American audiences, many of whom are curious about how the other side lives and what they might learn from each other.
The question of whether Parisians can teach happiness ultimately resists a simple answer. Alex and Tom's reflections suggest that the real lesson is not about adopting a specific set of behaviors but about paying attention to how different societies organize their priorities. France's emphasis on taking time for meals, for conversation, and for leisure stands in contrast to the productivity-focused ethos that dominates much of American life. Yet the French model comes with its own trade-offs, and the duo was careful not to present it as a universal solution.
What emerges from the discussion is a portrait of two people who have made peace with living between cultures. They do not claim to have resolved the tensions between French and American ways of life, nor do they present themselves as having found the secret to happiness. Instead, they offer something perhaps more valuable: an honest account of what it feels like to belong to two places at once, and what each place has taught them about what matters.
"Pardon Our French" arrives as part of a broader wave of books and media that examine national cultures through personal storytelling. Audiences seem increasingly hungry for this kind of content, which promises insight without pretension and humor without malice. Whether or not readers come away convinced that Parisians hold the key to happiness, they are likely to finish the book with a richer understanding of why the question is worth asking in the first place.
For France 24's "Entre Nous," the episode fits a pattern of programming that explores French identity and its relationship with the wider world. Recent episodes have addressed topics ranging from French attitudes toward religion to the role of American players in reshaping French society. The show's willingness to tackle such questions reflects a recognition that in an increasingly interconnected world, national cultures are not fixed but constantly evolving through contact and exchange.
AT Frenchies, for their part, seem comfortable occupying the space between those cultures rather than trying to resolve it. Their appeal lies precisely in their ability to move fluidly between French and American perspectives, finding humor and insight in the gaps. As they continue to build their audience and now their literary output, they illustrate a simple truth: sometimes the best way to understand your own culture is to spend time in another, and sometimes the best teachers are the friends who have been there all along.
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