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Eva Longoria just transported viewers to the heart of France with her stunning new CNN travel series. The eight-episode culinary journey premiered tonight, April 12, unveiling iconic French destinations through fresh eyes. What makes this show unmissable? Longoria reconnects with a country she fell in love with 15 years ago while married to basketball legend Tony Parker.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Series Name: Eva Longoria, Searching for France, premiering April 12, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CNN
- Episodes: Eight episodes airing two weekly on Sundays, with on-demand streaming available the next day
- Regions Explored: Paris, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Brittany, Provence, and Alsace showcase France’s culinary excellence
- Personal Connection: Longoria speaks fluent French and spent summers across France during her 2007-2011 marriage to French-American NBA star Tony Parker
A Francophile’s Long-Awaited Return to French Cuisine
Eva Longoria describes herself as a devoted Francophile who now explores France with purpose and passion. In her own words, “I’m a serious Francophile” and wanted something deeper than work trips. The award-winning actor, producer, and director spent 20 years traveling to France for professional obligations, but never truly savored its essence. Now she hunts truffles in Burgundy, learns pastry arts from world-class chefs, and discovers how France became the global standard for fine dining.
Her journey spans multiple regions, each revealing distinct culinary traditions. She braids fresh baguettes at prestigious bakeries, samples bouillabaisse in Provence, catches Atlantic blue lobster in Brittany, and discovers how Bresse chicken earned its legendary reputation. Every dish tells a story about geography, history, and cultural pride.
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Legendary Chefs and Michelin-Starred Moments
The series connects Longoria with culinary titans shaping modern French gastronomy. She cooks alongside Alain Ducasse, who boasts 21 Michelin stars across his legendary career, and Eric Ripert, the renowned chef and co-owner of New York City’s three-star Michelin restaurant Le Bernardin. Together, they create a seven-course feast aboard Ducasse sur Seine, the chef’s acclaimed river-floating restaurant.
Additionally, Longoria learns macaron-making from Julien Alvarez, executive head pastry chef of Ladurée, and witnesses Nina Métayer create exceptional desserts. Métayer was voted Pastry Chef of the Year in 2023 and World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2024. Rising talents like Mory Sacko, chef at one-star Michelin Mosuke restaurant, demonstrate how French cuisine is evolving while respecting tradition.
From Table to Production: Behind the Eight-Episode Series
| Detail | Information |
| Series Title | Eva Longoria, Searching for France |
| Network | CNN Original Series |
| Premiere Date | April 12, 2026, 9 p.m. ET/PT |
| Episode Schedule | Two episodes weekly through May 3, 2026 |
| Production | Hyphenate Media Group (Cris Abrego and Eva Longoria) |
The third installment of Longoria’s travel franchise follows successful seasons exploring Mexico (her ancestral homeland) and Spain. CNN executive vice president Amy Entelis praised the project, noting it “transports viewers through centuries of French history, revealing how the country’s traditions, culture and culinary innovation came together to shape one of the world’s most influential gastronomic legacies.”
Why France? Why Now? The Story Behind the Journey
“I got to explore France through French people, which is really a beautiful experience because they love their country so much.”
— Eva Longoria, about her experience in France
Longoria’s affection for France runs deeper than tourism. She married Tony Parker, a French-American basketball icon and 18-season NBA veteran, in 2007. During their marriage through 2011, she lived across France including Paris, Lyon, Faucon, and Limoges. Beyond that chapter, Longoria served as a L’Oréal ambassador for more than 20 years and attended Cannes Film Festival for just as long. France became her second home.
What Questions Does ‘Searching for France’ Really Answer?
At its core, this series asks a fundamental question: How did France define fine dining for the entire world? Longoria explores this across regions with distinct identities. In Alsace, she discovers how borderland cuisine blends French and German influences. Bordeaux reveals how wine shaped history, architecture, and prosperity. Burgundy’s vineyards whisper ancient stories through Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Brittany’s rugged coastline and Celtic heritage produce world-class seafood. Provence proves that lavender fields and timeless beauty still spark creative innovation in modern kitchens. What unites them all? An obsessive commitment to craft paired with relentless innovation.
