Eva Longoria revisits France romance in new series

Eva Longoria is revisiting a deeply personal chapter of her life as she explores France in her latest travel series.

The Desperate Housewives alum, 51, opens up about her long-standing connection to the country in Eva Longoria: Searching for France, the newest installment of her CNN travel franchise, which premieres April 12.

Speaking exclusively to People, Longoria said her affection for France first began during her marriage to French-American basketball star Tony Parker, whom she was married to from 2007 to 2011.

“I was married to a Frenchman, so I really fell in love with France through his eyes because he's such a countryman. I mean, he's such a patriot,” she said, referring to Parker, 43.

Longoria shared that during their marriage, she spent extensive time living across France while Parker played professional basketball, including summers in Paris and time in cities such as Lyon, Limoges, and Faucon.

“We lived in Paris in the summers — and not just in Paris, but we lived all over,” she explained. “We went everywhere, all over France because he had to play basketball everywhere.”

Beyond her former marriage, Longoria’s connection to France has continued to grow over the years. She has been a global ambassador for L’Oréal for more than two decades and is a frequent guest at the Cannes Film Festival, further deepening what she describes as a “romantic connection” with the country.

“It’s been definitely a romantic connection with this beautiful country,” she said.

Now married to José Bastón, with whom she shares son Santiago, 7, Longoria is channeling that lifelong fascination into her latest project.

The eight-episode series follows the actress as she travels through regions including Paris, Bordeaux, Brittany, and Provence, exploring the history and cultural significance of iconic French dishes. 

From oysters in Paris to bouillabaisse in Provence and boeuf bourguignon in Burgundy, Longoria immerses herself in France’s celebrated culinary tradition.

“I am such a foodie, and I love to travel, and I love history,” she said, adding that her passion for French culture and cuisine made the project a natural fit. “The gold standard of gastronomy is really French cuisine.”

Eva Longoria: Searching for France premieres April 12 at 9 p.m. ET on CNN, with new episodes airing weekly through May 3.