Eva Longoria premieres Searching for France this Sunday on CNN, explores French cuisine

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• A Francophile’s Dream Journey Through Five Iconic Regions
• Michelin Stars, World-Renowned Chefs, and Culinary Legends
• What to Expect: Dishes, Drinks, and Discoveries
• Why France, Why Now? A Passion Project Two Decades in the Making
• Will This Season Deliver Emmy Gold? What Makes “Searching for France” Essential TV
  • Sources

Eva Longoria is bringing French culinary magic to your living room this Sunday, April 12. The award-winning actress premieres her latest CNN travel series, “Searching for France,” exploring the world’s most celebrated cuisine and the visionary chefs who define it. Get ready to travel through five stunning French regions, taste legendary dishes, and discover the stories behind the world’s finest gastronomy.

A Francophile’s Dream Journey Through Five Iconic Regions

Eva Longoria isn’t just visiting France. She’s diving deep into Paris, Provence, Burgundy, Brittany, and Bordeaux, experiencing each region’s distinct culinary identity. In Provence, she watches chef Emmanuel Perrodin craft traditional bouillabaisse, comparing it to “fine poetry.” In Burgundy, she hunts truffles and savors braised boeuf bourguignon alongside world-class Pinot Noir wines.

From Brittany’s Atlantic blue lobster to Bordeaux’s legendary wine culture, each episode reveals how geography, history, and tradition shaped French dining. The actress, who speaks fluent French and calls France her “home away from home,” brings authentic passion to every scene. Her previous seasons “Searching for Mexico” and “Searching for Spain” won three Emmy Awards with 12 total nominations, setting high expectations for this culinary masterpiece.

Michelin Stars, World-Renowned Chefs, and Culinary Legends

Eric Ripert, the three-star Michelin chef behind New York’s legendary Le Bernardin, joins Longoria for an extraordinary seven-course feast along the River Seine. At Paris’s Le Meurice, she meets Alain Ducasse, who holds an astonishing 21 Michelin stars across his career. In Bordeaux, she dines with chef Philippe Etchebest, a two-star Michelin recipient and Top Chef star, who serves duck breast roulade in exquisite sauce.

But the real magic? Watching Nina Métayer, named World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2024, conjure exceptional desserts in her futuristic Paris kitchen. And Mickaël Reydellet, winner of Le Grand Prix de la Baguette in 2025, teaches Longoria to roll dough before delivering fresh baguettes to the Élysée Palace itself.

What to Expect: Dishes, Drinks, and Discoveries

Regional French cuisine comes alive as Longoria tastes oysters in Paris, bouillabaisse in Provence, frog legs mousseline in Alsace, boeuf bourguignon in Burgundy, and buttery blue lobster in Brittany. She learns to dollop macarons at Ladurée, perfect her croissant-making with chef Remi Robert at La Grande Épicerie, and forage seaweed with chef Nolween Corre in Brittany.

Detail	Information
Premiere Date	Sunday, April 12, 2026
Air Time	9pm ET/PT (two episodes weekly)
Platform	CNN + CNN All Access streaming
Total Episodes	Eight episodes

“France has defined how the world approaches fine dining, and its commitment to craft, paired with a relentless spirit of innovation, has kept its cuisine at the forefront of modern gastronomy. With Searching for France, we had the chance to spend real time with the chefs, artisans and families that both safeguard and evolve that extraordinary legacy.”

— Eva Longoria, Star and Executive Producer

Why France, Why Now? A Passion Project Two Decades in the Making

Eva Longoria’s love affair with France spans over 20 years, but her career kept those visits work-focused. “Over the past 20 years, my career has brought me to France time and again,” she explained. “But those trips were more about work than joie de vivre. Now I want something deeper. An adventure.” She’s pursuing the quintessence of French history, tradition, and innovation.

The award-winning actress, producer, director, and activist brings her trademark curiosity and warmth to every conversation with chefs, artisans, and winemakers. The series exudes feel-good vibes, warmed by laughter and camaraderie, making even the most complex culinary traditions accessible and inspiring to viewers worldwide.

Will This Season Deliver Emmy Gold? What Makes “Searching for France” Essential TV

The “Searching For” franchise has become one of CNN’s most honored programs, with the previous installments winning three Primetime Emmy Awards and earning 12 nominations for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series. This season elevates the stakes by exploring French cuisine’s 300-plus-year dominance in global gastronomy, from royal courts to modern innovation.

With 102 million international travelers visiting France annually, the timing is perfect. Longoria transports you to the world’s most visited nation, revealing secrets only insiders know. Will “Searching for France” win more Emmy gold at next year’s ceremony, or will the series spark a new revolution in how we understand food, culture, and travel television?

Sources

• CNN Pressroom – Official premiere announcement and series details
• Forbes – Comprehensive review of chefs, restaurants, and regional experiences
• CNN.com – Behind-the-scenes interviews and production information