Jeremy Clarkson Meets the Neighbours: France The FULL Episode

In this series, produced by Chrysalis Entertainment in 2002, which later became part of the production company that makes Fifth Gear, Jeremy Clarkson drives a 1960s Jaguar E-Type around six European countries to discover just how different their lifestyles are to those in Britain, and whether the reality matches the stereotypical perception of each country. In the first episode, Jeremy visits France, Britain's closest neighbour… and oldest enemy. On his travels, he attends an illegal dinner of banned foods, enrols at the Paris School of Seduction and sails in the world's biggest yacht race where he discovers Britannia no longer rules the waves. Make sure you're subscribed to be the first to see the other episodes.
#jeremyclarkson #MeetstheNeighbours
For access to exclusive Fifth Gear content and all FULL episodes, join our channel / @fifthgearuk
Check out our website for the latest car videos and news from around the web: fifthgear.tv/

[@fifthgearuk]

Enjoy this classic Clarkson series for the first time on KZbin! Produced by Chrysalis Entertainment in 2002, which later became part of the production company that makes Fifth Gear. Make sure you subscribe to be the first to know when the other episodes are uploaded.

[@bicyclist2]

I'm very surprised to see this, as Clarkson never worked on 5th Gear. I'm a huge Clarkson fan. Unfortunately we never got any of this programming here in the US. Whenever I've searched for this, whatever I find is highly edited and flipped. Thank you so very much.

[@WhuDhat]

these are absolute gold, please please continue to post this series

[@caredits-mt3sk]

Vicky, Tiff you stole my idea i thought about uploading all of these but i have to verify my phone number or something and i don't know my phone number, but i will today i will uploadem first and take all the fame ha ha!

[@davisdesigns1153]

Thanks for this, I've never seen it before

[@billbradley4878]

Thank you for these.

[@SerbMarius]

I love the vibe of early 00's TV. The music, everything. I miss those days.

[@TermlessHGW]

Same.

[@misterdog7]

Before the nutjobs took over the asylum :D

[@vaspadure2725]

@Marius Șerban Așa este, frățiorul meu, Marius. In special 1960-2001, cam așa. Maxim 2005. La fel si Top Gear. La fel și cu filmele, tot ce este cgi este de asemenea de evitat. Vom plange dupa filmele facute inainte de 2000, in special cele din anii 70-80-90. Apucati-va sa le colectionati. Urgent. Perioada pana la revolutia digitala va reprezenga vremurile in care oamenii erau liberi si isi traiau viata la maximum. Trebuie sa nu lasam instaurarea sistemului digital pe care intunecatii vor sa il instaureze. Viata trebuie sa fie traita analogic, digital este sistem satanic de sclavagire. @Marius Şerban That's right, my little brother, Marius. Especially 1960-2005, something like that. Maxim 2005. La fel si Top Gear. Same with movies, anything cgi is also to be avoided. We will cry for the films made before 2000, especially those from the 70s-80s-90s. Start collecting them. Urgent. The period until the digital revolution will represent the times when people were free and lived their lives to the fullest. We must not allow the establishment of the digital system that the dark ones want to establish. Analogic is life. Digital is satanic and a slavery system.

[@MisterChenzy]

so it's music.. and what else? 😆

[@keepgoing1973]

The 00s? The first song is "should I stay or should I go" by The Clash. Recorded in 1981 and released in May 1982.

[@fw0756]

“I adore France ,I love France it’s the French that have ruined it”classic Clarkson!

[@Lastchatte2]

fair point I have to say

[@Lastchatte2]

@ALAIN TERRIEUR or humour

[@-ca--]

Can't disagree, as a French guy living in England.

[@peterkater4292]

@@-ca-- can't disagree as a Frenchman living in Slovakia

[@rosbifle413]

Lived in France for 12 years. Sadly true. Great country but the vast majority of the natives are excruciatingly infuriating.

[@geirarnesen6531]

They don't make TV like this anymore. Hugely enjoyable!

[@-ca--]

That's why I don't have a TV or pay a licence. Firing him from the BBC was their biggest mistake.

[@gmy33]

I missed most of that tv ....so ytub s great decades of pleasure

[@svinkuk2652]

they dont make countries like this anymore either

[@borntoclimb7116]

True

[@netweed09]

It's so immersive and nothing seems out of place. Not a Bugatti with some audacious metrosexual loudmouth of the 20's in sight. Just fine Jaguars and fine, organic cuisine.

[@caiusKeys]

Jeremy's cultural sensitivity is always appreciated.

[@justsomeguy1141]

Daygos, It-eyes and wops 😂

[@Dannyvhulst]

Im still amazed at how he found so many French people speaking English.

[@FLH3official]

Actualy I know more French people who can speak English that English speaking people who can speak le français... 😁

[@AJVD2123]

It may surprise you to know that, in France, there always has been a lot of people absolutely taken and passionate about English literature, history and culture.

[@RickieBeubie]

he gathered 100% of the English speaking french people for this show

[@FLH3official]

@@RickieBeubie 100% is maybe exagerated , but yes Top Gear with the "dream team" (Geeza, Hamster & Cap'tain Slow) was successful among French petrolheads.

[@mellamankill]

@@RickieBeubie we are slowly improving mate

[@rosbifle413]

The funny thing is Clarkson in his demeanour is more like a French person than a British person. That's why love him so much.

[@MMauge]

in wich manners ?

[@rosbifle413]

@MMauge pretty much all of them. He says what he wants and if you're insulted, you've chosen to be insulted. Not his fault if you're too immature to be able to keep your calm. He pushes the boundaries verbally. A very french thing to do. He obviously believes in freedom. Not rigorous rules and over politeness just for the sake of it.

[@S1E2SportQuattro]

Im afraid Clarkson is very much absolutely quintessentially British i love him for portraying the attitudes of the common/ cultured brit on a larger scale

[@rosbifle413]

@@S1E2SportQuattro how many french people do you know intimately?

[@nonegone7170]

@@rosbifle413 Hah, those are many qualities i would never prescribe to neither the British nor the French.

[@ilovetool1]

Please post all of them. They were so good and I'm currently doing my first road trip through Europe. Unfortunately not in an E type though haha

[@attilazk]

Not the ideal car, unless you want to pay so much for petrol and engine oil. :D

[@mr.carguy654]

Make sure you check out the more easterly countries! Hungary, Budapest is fantastic and also Prague is beautiful! Also probably much cheaper than the more touristy bits of europe! Good luck! Also what sort of car are you using, if you're driving

[@ilovetool1]

@@mr.carguy654 hi. Yup I have been away for over 3 months now. Been driving around UK, Iceland as well. Been to Budapest and going to Prague next week. Been to Poland, Oslo, Amsterdam, Italy, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland, Belgium etc. Europe I had a bmw Z4 for most of it. Got a Mercedes slk for Spain and Portugal at the end of this month.

[@mr.carguy654]

@@ilovetool1 That sounds fantastic!

[@joshjackson6064]

Also unfortunately not in 2002 when everyone was more relaxed and friendly and there was peace.

[@VDPEFi]

I've been to Paris twice in my own car and escaped both times with no damage, I take that as a huge success! Wonderful place

[@carlyoung6111]

I have been to France several times but to Paris only once. If I never have to endure the stench of the Seine in summer again, it will be too soon.

[@zorro456]

Now try Istanbul. ;)

[@fiverZ]

Before or after Paris was destroyed?

[@AlamoOriginal]

@@fiverZ destroyed?

[@fiverZ]

@@AlamoOriginal yeah

[@Matt_from_Florida]

Things seemed so much simpler in 2002, and simpler still every additional 10 years in the past! ☺

[@davidgalea6113]

I want europe and the uk to revert back to the 60/ 70s population demographics. before all this multiculturalism.

[@brunobastos5533]

and we didn't know

[@Matt_from_Florida]

@@brunobastos5533 Yes. As the age-old question goes: _"How do you know they're 'THE GOOD TIMES' while you're still in them?"_

[@brunobastos5533]

@@Matt_from_Florida very philosophical, to me is like when on school and keep complaining then go to work and realize you ad a good life

[@TinLeadHammer]

All the way into 1942?

[@jesush.tap-dancingchrist7328]

"France has more fatal car collisions than any other nation in the civilised world" *drives through the tunnel where Princess Diana died*

[@nomzooz]

Didn't spot that myself, hahaha classic Clarkson 😂

[@The13thDukeofWybourne]

Killed not died

[@jonathanfoucher]

Now I really want to see Olivier de Kersauson and Jeremy Clarkson do a TV show together. They are both funny as hell, it would be a great match

[@Cruehable]

Crazy that this dude thats climbing is still alive and well…

[@sheppardpat47]

"You need to look like a men, not like an homosexual" Damn. That hit me hard

[@theanthony33]

20 years ago, things have changed since (hopefully)

[@sheppardpat47]

@@theanthony33 how

[@mokisan]

​@@theanthony33 things have changed sadly.

[@dandare1001]

Well she was there to make him attractive to women, so I don#t know what's strange about that. If she had been advising him on making himself attractive to other men, he would have been wearing leather chaps and no underwear, which would have admittedly made for a comical sight.

[@FlyingGold]

Such a classic early 2000s series. With the Moby music. Love it

[@famouspogs]

So nice to see James May after his french make over at 23:08

[@dandare1001]

🤣That's exactly what I thought.

[@franzdoreza5230]

I lived in northern France for a few months and it was fantastic.. On the shore of lake Geneva in a town call Thonon le Bain near Evian.. and lived in a luxurious 2story penthouse with a private wine cellar and rooftop swimming pool..So spoiled.. and lucky to have rich friends..The French are awesome but because they love their language and don’t like to speak other languages poorly they are quite guarded about it.. bur once in a while you meet a nice young French couple who’ve spent time in US/UK and they want to practice speaking English.. It happened on our ski trip to Avorriaz.. We met a couple who taught tennis and they invited us to their home for coffee and a nice joint..That’s what traveling is all about 👍🏼🙏

[@michaltakac673]

Not sure I got you right but I’m quite certain Thonon is not northern France by any way. Anyway it’s wonderful place and so is Northern France so you can’t be wrong neither way 😂

[@RemaiHax]

I'm from Savoie (the region of Thonon) and I can tell you it's not considered Northerly for us French :) But you're right, it's a shame that few French can speak English properly. It's getting better with younger generations so there's a hope of improvement for the future ! However I don't think we are the worst on that matter. I've travel in almost every country in Europe and South/Slavic countries are definitly worse than us.

[@CaptainInnuendo]

My nerves were shot just watching that guy climb those buildings. That's insane

[@ekscalybur]

The world this was filmed in no longer exists. It was taken from us.

[@DynamicSeq]

Long live multiculturalism...... Barf....

[@arthurvg2217]

As a french I can confirm that things changed a lot since this was shot.

[@mikaelbihl-matias9462]

Our current time period is so cursed I swear. I want to go back so bad

[@marvinheemeyer6660]

Progressive's always ruin a good thing. F'n commies.

[@vulgivagu]

@@mikaelbihl-matias9462I agree. Sadly the Chinese flu had a lot to do with it

[@darrylmac6150]

Anything Clarkson is involved in is guaranteed to have some belting tracks

[@benwu7980]

The end music had me thinking of Moby - Porcelain

[@darrylmac6150]

@@benwu7980 awh mate, thank you! I was trying to find the name of that all week! Yes, 110%.

[@oldskoolraver1079]

When television was actually entertainment instead of propaganda

[@MisterChenzy]

right, because bread & games (including soccer etc.) is so much better than propaganda as an instrument of distraction 😆

[@lesflynn4455]

Watching this was 38 minutes of pure delight. Thank you for posting.

[@sambuzz8411]

I've been following Clarkson and Top Gear for almost 20 years and somehow never knew about this series. Really amazing and I especially love the early 2000s vibe. What a great time it was.

[@esdeekay4344]

I still love the looks of the Renault Avantime. It was ahead of it's time when it came out.

[@valentinlemarchand4034]

I live in england 3 years. I truely loved the country and the poeple. So polite and helpfull. And this special humour... so nostaglic...

[@FSPWorks]

The songs playing in here best describes how the late 90s to early 2000s BBC was. They were always into electronica and downtempo music. Now, that’s my favorite era for BBC.

[@donnyjay9046]

Watching in 2023, it just feels odd that we threw it all away.

[@LR_84]

social media and immigration, far left politics destroy all what they want to have... unique Culture

[@JessicaZane4realz]

This is absolutely my new favorite thing to watch these days.

[@JamesCaveman94]

I swear, Jeremy has this ability to make French women wonder why they're finding him attractive, which makes them want them even more lol.

[@FAT8893]

Finally, a HQ version on KZbin. Looking forward to the rest of the episodes.

[@MisterChenzy]

it's SD quality.

[@jrm1007]

@@MisterChenzy They might have meant the audio, but not quite sure. It isn't all that HD as well.

[@Danny-xc8ku]

Still looks much better than the sd content i get on virgin media

[@5Siver]

20 years forward and driving in Paris is even worse now, and that roundabout is still hell whenever I take it.

[@iantownsend500]

Loved this series when it came out. Thank you Fifth gear for doing this 👍

[@Barnabe51Reims]

As a french I'm sad to say that this France does not exist anymore...

[@ClaytonBrownMusicOfficial]

I am from Texas and have never gotten the opportunity of stepping outside of the United States. Would you care to give me a perspective of what France is like to the average person nowadays? I’m very interested!

[@Barnabe51Reims]

​@@ClaytonBrownMusicOfficial : Well, first a lot of immigration, too many muslims and leftists protecting them whatever they have done. Then, the government which is actually denying french culture and selling our patrimony, let's be honest, mostly to american companies like Blackrock, MacKinsley, General electrics, etc... And they're trying to steal every euro french own for the richest 1% making more and more debt and laws. Schools are not teaching anymore but a lot of LGBT ideology, you can wait 12 to 20 hours in an hospital before they can take care of you, and protesters are bullied by the police (gilets jaunes), no liberty of expression anymore... France is slowly but surely turning into a dictature where 99% of the poorest french people will own nothing and die...

[@jeffhutchins7048]

Sorry to hear that, AMERICA sure ain't what it used to be either.😢

[@desgrangesjean-marie5397]

@@ClaytonBrownMusicOfficial don't trust a random guy on youtube !

[@Baguenaudeur]

@@ClaytonBrownMusicOfficial Don't worry about him, he's just some delusional loser who probably spends his time complaining about young people being woke, not having a 100% white demographics and not being able to openly say the stupidest crap publicly anymore.

[@princerog9579]

Jeremy was born at the right time and the right place. He drove the best cars. Traveled all these countries when they were worth travelling to. Doing what he loved while getting paid for it.

[@tonymontana897]

Clarkson is a wonderful presenter. I love his charm and cheeky wit.

[@s.o.s.exploration2412]

I believe the reason why the French live longer is because they do most of the preparations. Where as here in America and a good portion of England just about everything is either fake or loaded with additives which are unhealthy. Granted yes wine does have properties which are healthy but if you look over the ingredients between a average home cooked meal between an American and a French family there is a huge difference....

[@maximeanselot3007]

Cook from scratch, that way you don't eat too much, it's a greater satisfaction when you eat it, it costs less, you will loose weight slowly and keep it off for good, you learn and teach others with new skills.

[@freddiepepper6085]

Speak for yourself mate, just don’t buy ready made meals, go to a butcher‘s and a bakery instead of a massive supermarket

[@s.o.s.exploration2412]

@Freddie Pepper doesn't matter big or small markets. Live in Wisconsin. Cows more often enough getting injections of all kinds to keep them healthy. Plenty of statements out there taking it easy with antibiotics because of the amounts used in cows. They cost big money these days despite the higher popularity over the years. More and more adjustments in food for agricultural developments. Not necessarily good. Even if you go vegan the amount of pesticides used is questionable. Sure you can self produce but that's a lot of work if you're working to keep what you got already. I can keep going but you get the idea. Processed foods, don't get me started.

[@stephenallen4635]

​​@@freddiepepper6085hes speaking for the industries that make billions off selling those ready made meals and junk food, they wouldn't make so much money if people werent buying them its clear to see

[@lh.0508]

“You understand?” “I understand the words…” 😂😂

[@TheSuperappelflap]

One of my schoolmates was half French. He said, one time his grandmother came over and she asked why we didnt shoot and eat the ducks in the park. Classic.

[@LS_Sauceboss]

I cant stand TV so i try to find gems like this every so often. ❤

[@deadonarrival909]

This is golden. Thankyou for unearthing this lost masterpiece.

[@mattjames112]

"That's because there is dog shit all over Paris" Haha. Great comeback!

[@mattbradley3572]

I remember watching this first time round and LOVED it! It’s where my love affair of the Jaguar Etype first started. Always tried to find it and there are some crap recordings of it on Daily Motion but it’s great to see the original in its full glory. Thanks Fifth Gear. M

[@thomasinns6971]

That headmistress, she's gold "I can understand if in 10 years, my husband has a mistress. I will be happy, maybe a little jealous, but I will understand" The French man, they are a trip.

[@hyunhoyee4359]

I thought Clarkson took over Fifth gear for a second : )

[@giangargo669]

i know the video is old but being from Italy I'm impressed to see how much France resembles where I am from in almost every way

[@kevinDMC12]

we share some latin roots my friend ^^

[@nikolaykolev9761]

I have aways been the happiest when travelling through Italy and France with my friends. Those are the best memories I have.

[@giangargo669]

@@nikolaykolev9761 I am very glad of that

[@awax2585]

That was old France, now the restaurant he was at is probably a kebab place and most of what you see in the video is now banned

[@erdnaxel55]

Let's be honest, us Europeans might have some differences, but apart from the stereotypes wich sometimes date back from medieval times, we're pretty much the same. That's why Europe is possible, we share the same roots, with just small differences wich makes us specials. Although nowadays I feel that even these differences starts to shade away. I travelled to all western Europeans countries, but being from Southwest France I went to Spain at least twice a year since I'm a child. When I was young in the 90's you could tell it was a different country, but slowly the only difference became that we don't speak the same language. I really wish we could keep our strong identities, we Europeans sure have everything we need to be proud of those.

[@franzdoreza5230]

Thanks by the way!! I would love to see more Clarkson tv shows/series and top gear specials.. Much appreciated!

[@geffeniz]

This man with the top gear/grandtour gang are the greatest thing to ever grace the global screens

[@ohwhye]

6:18 “We conquered Everest” says Jeremy. I think it was a Kiwi and a Nepalese bloke.

[@19Edurne]

... and I wasn't aware they had "invented" skiing too. Scandinavians might take offense. ;)

[@sharkeedetox8579]

I cannot believe these friggen gems of how the aesthetic and attitude from when I was a kid survives. This is awesome.

[@Perception_]

*_... I adore France. It's the french that ruin it..._* And on that bombshell, back to the studio.

[@wickiezulu]

Thanks for the upload, been looking for the segment with Clarkson eating Ortolan. Looking forward to other episodes being uploaded.

[@derekm3180]

I can't believe this was 20 years ago. What happened? lol

[@Judge_Magister]

The communists hijacked our “democracies” in secret. Today they are comfortable enough to go out in the open because they established domion over all the institutions and poisoned our communities via “education” and mass migration.

[@stephenhunt6673]

Enjoyed this episode. Looking forward to the rest of them!

[@noteanotell937]

Brilliant love this because there's far too much anti French stuff out there. Beautiful country France full of lovely people.

[@mohammadreza3018]

Thank you for upload this, pls do all episodes

[@scopehitmyeye2019]

32:10 'This could be my absolute record in terms of complaints'. Give it time Jeremy, give it time...

[@dannyboywhaa3146]

I miss this kind of television... 👍

[@robertlamantin5088]

I just discover the channel and mister Clarkson. This video is really great and just enlightens my day :)

[@danpearce4547]

The town of Flers in Normandy installed their first roundabout in the early 2000's, with the rule being that cars ON the roundabout must give way to traffic joining on the right (much like some of their usual T junctions etc.). My Dad used to spend hours sat in the hostelry across from this roundabout laughing his head off as it repeatedly got gridlocked with only about 6 cars.

[@billbradley4878]

Thank you for posting these.

[@peterknight7880]

Nice of James May to put in a cameo at 23:07

[@DriveCrashShorts]

This is so fricking enjoyable to watch.

[@brandonwalter8532]

I've never heard of this. I definitely want to see some more episodes!

[@andrewjones-productions]

Princess Hermine de Clermont - Tonnerre died at the young age of 54 in 2020 following a motorcycle accident. This episode was very enjoyable. It pays a wonderful tribute to France whilst being sarcastic in a way that Clarkson only can do. He balances it well by making fun of the UK at the same time too.

[@benwu7980]

Did not hear of that :(

[@en1m4031]

THE MUSIC !! Aside from the perfectly balanced between humor and informations, the music selection is amazing !

[@_.hawtdawg._1039]

god i just love everything about this old videos,especially the music choice

[@theodoremason6344]

Can't imagine the BBC allowing someone to say daigos, ities, frogs, bubbles huns and boshs nowadays as a comical introduction to a programme 😳

[@davidpeters6536]

I saw it years ago when it was 1st broadcast, very funny and pulls no punches.

[@tonyn9858]

great program, Thank you so much. Tony.

[@legioner9]

32:14 - just hilarious with all of them covered with those napkins 😂😂

[@Judge_Magister]

Shame those EU cultists are banning European culture.

[@FrancoisLabelle-yf8tj]

Why do they do that??!

[@biggusunitus]

I've been watching Clarkson for so long - I recognized all the gags from the Grand Tour French Episode from this..and still laughed!

[@phillipphil1615]

Good to have Kersauson face to face with Jeremy Clarkson. Both bigger than life characters.

[@ici_marmotte]

3:05 The Grid - Floatation. A classic tune released in 1990 when I was only eight years old. Sadly, it's widely unknown here in Germany. So actually, this episode brought me to get to know this beautiful track, hence many years were passing by before I discovered this tune. Thanks to Jeremy Clarkson's staff being responsible for the brilliant music in JCMTN!

[@The13thDukeofWybourne]

Yes! It's the Subsonic mix

[@naikjoyx4291]

Thank you for uploading this. Gotta love Jeremy

[@garycyganek1228]

Love Clarkson

[@noonehere1793]

The arc took me back….i survived it in a rental BMW ….but it was the most hectic driving i have ever seen in my life!

[@Moorzo83]

This has aged well.

[@johnjames01]

Never knew he did this series. Can you upload the others? Thanks.

[@attilazk]

Thanks for this upload. It was fun to watch. France was so much more fun around 80-90. Nowadays... only the crazy traffic... is even more crazy in Paris.

[@htf5555]

why would anyone go that hole now

[@K_a_r_l_o_s]

Nice that James May got a cameo role at 23.07

[@gmy33]

Being dutch .. english conversation is just extremely delightfull

[@Lewis_Treff97]

Just realised that e-type he's driving was an Eagle E-type. Years down the line he'd drive their Eagle E-type speedster

[@bicyclist2]

It doesn't look like a Eagle. It looks factory.

[@Lewis_Treff97]

@@bicyclist2 check the credits @38:03

[@Otto72ish]

@@bicyclist2 the wood on the steering wheel is far too fat for a factory E-type.

[@EnchantGaming2003]

It’s a standard 1960’s E Type. Hence why it’s on black plates.

[@lilcan2801]

20 years ago the world was a little bit diffrent

[@LR_84]

* a lot better

[@castelodeossos3947]

Remember visiting Paris as a boy. No tunnel to the Arc de Triomphe then, so my hostess told me just to walk out into the traffic going round it. I did, and the cars made way for me, both going across and returning. No one hooted or complained and Parisian drivers gained my immediate admiration.

[@rabbitracer79]

These videos r amazing

[@mirzaahmed6589]

"You need to look like a man, not a homosexual." Try saying that today without getting canceled.

[@mr.hernandezdrives]

super entertaining, amazing classic jeremy

[@blarkdexture8899]

Some say he is crazy all we know is that Alain Robert still is alive.

[@philskype101]

so so good!

[@markloubser2433]

Lovely, had not seen this one! Cheers.

[@jamesstanworth3656]

The make-over was the best

[@johnsampey344]

Absolutely Brilliant !!! Again.

[@valentinardemon]

It's so weird to see La Defence so empty of building, even the building where I saw Alain Robert climb (Total tower) don't even exist

[@NicholasGoolcharan]

this was great!

[@timothywelch6450]

Pure genius. Wilman & Clarkson, the dream team.

[@jeffstockton534]

Tremendous, thank you.

[@opostel3316]

wonderfull doku love it

[@kennedymwale5772]

Wow good old Clarkson doc to keep me awake 😊

[@andrejakobsson5790]

The music in this episode is Perfect!

[@JohnnyTHolland]

At 23.08, c'est Monsieur James May... 'avving le ciggie.

[@Otto72ish]

Great series, great episode, great car.