Talking France is The Local’s weekly podcast where we discuss the big news and talking points in France as well as explore and explain the major issues that impact life in the country. We also answer your essential questions and look ahead at what’s coming up.
In each episode presenter Ben McPartland chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local France’s Emma Pearson and Emma Albright. They are also frequently joined by John Lichfield, a veteran journalist whose knowledge of French news and politics is second to none, as well as other expert commentators.
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This week we start off with some explosive news from France before we hear why authorities on a picturesque island off France's west coast are offering second home owners thousands of euros for their properties and look at why houses have become so expensive in places like the famous Il de Ré. And we'll look at how speed cameras are getting flashier in France and try to understand why everyone, in rural parts of the country especially, hate them to the point of burning them down. We'll also expl...
Up this week we'll look at what's at stake in the upcoming local elections in France and whether French voters really care. And we'll look ahead to the French presidential election to see whether anyone can unite the left... and whether French voters really care. We'll also look at why kids have been banned from some first class trains in France and whether France, on the whole, is less child-friendly than other countries. We'll hear about the move in the country to avoid American tech companies...
This week we'll look at whether the French government will survive long enough to enjoy the weekend and find out what the French make of all this budget bedlam that's been going on far too long, especially when the world seems to be lurching towards a crisis. And speaking of that crisis, we'll look ahead to where these mounting tensions between France, Europe and Donald Trump will lead too, and we'll hear from our American listeners in France as to how they are impacted by it all. We'll also loo...
This week on Talking France we look at the reasons so many landlords in France get away with renting out hovels - even though there are supposed to be laws against it. We’ll look at just how safe skiing is in France these days given 6 people, including one Briton, were killed in avalanches over the weekend. And we’ll look at why France’s leaders are being urged to channel their “inner De Gaule” and stand up to the United States. And we’ll learn how to talk about the cold weather like a real Fren...
This week we’ll discuss the big talking point in France at the start of January 2026, which is just how did George Clooney and his wife Amal and their kids become French citizens? George doesn’t seem to be a full time resident in France, nor by his own admission does he speak French very well, nor is he married to a French national, so how did he do it? We’ll find out and look at some of the reactions to Monsieur George Clooney getting a French passport. We’ll also look at the strikes that are s...
This is a special episode focussed on looking ahead to next year in France, so you are all aware of what will happen in terms of travel and immigration changes and what might happen when it comes to political crises and elections. We'll look at all the key changes on the horizon and the key cultural dates to get in your diary for next year. So sit back, crack open an oyster or two or if you are like me and think oysters are just posh slime that belongs in the sea, then get yourself a glass of vi...
This week, we will look at the latest flare up between the government and French farmers, many of whom have been spending recent days blockading motorways or public buildings and basically trying to get the government to listen. We'll also find out about a significant vote in the French parliament about residency permits and look at the new French Civics Test that will be compulsory in 2026 for citizenship and some residency applicants - and find out how much it costs. Plus we'll look ahead to C...
It seems no one likes dual nationals these days. They are being picked on by politicians in countries across the world. We'll look at whether the rules around dual citizenship could change in France and also remind you of some big changes ahead for anyone planning on becoming French. We'll also find out why French police and their boss - the French interior minister are up in arms and threatening lawsuits over a board game this Christmas. We'll catch up with the French PM's efforts to save the g...
This week we have all the latest on the budget showdown in what is a crucial week for the French government. We'll hear about a new high speed train service linking two of France's big cities, but why it isn't quite as direct as it sounds. We'll examine whether France's ecotax on plane tickets is really leading to airlines cancelling flights and, forget the Nordic countries we'll hear how France is now one of the leading countries when it comes to equality for women, but we'll also reveal a shoc...
With French army generals giving speeches about the need to protect ourselves, the president announcing new plans for military service and French authorities telling us we all need to prepare an emergency box with blankets, baby food and board games, this week we'll look at why all the talk of war in France right now? And could change finally be ahead for the French school calendar. Are they about to cut the big summer holiday? The French wine industry is suffering an almighty hangover right now...
Take advantage of our half price Black Friday offer and join The Local France today for just €24.99. This week we'll gaze into our crystal balls and look to the future, to that day, and a momentous day it will be, an occasion where everyone will remember exactly where they were, the day when France agrees its 2026 budget. Unless it doesn't happen. We'll also explain why a small mass held for 20 people in France kicked off an almighty political storm this week - and a criminal probe - and look at...
This week we’ll bring you up to date on the crucial 2026 budget that’s edging its way through parliament and look at what it might mean for you, plus news on the strikes that lie ahead in France. We’ll find out about a plan to make American retirees pay into the French health system to guarantee they can get care, plus look at the impact of airbnb around France. Has it turned rural villages into ghost towns? And we’ll explain why the Paris catacombs have closed for five months Host Ben McPartlan...
We simply cannot not discuss the 88 million euro jewellery heist at France's most famous museum The Louvre in this week's episode. How could it happen? Some blame lax security, others blame funding cuts, some blame Macron of course, whilst our politics expert recons France just has too much treasure to look after it all. And France's government is hanging by a thread. Can it get a vital budget through parliament before Father Christmas comes? And we'll find out France's new civics test for resid...
You'll be glad to know things have become just a little clearer since last week when it comes to what is going on in France. Just a little. We have a new government, we kind of have a new prime minister, we've had a major retreat by the French president Emmanuel Macron, and we have a crucial few weeks ahead of us in France, during which, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say, the future of the country is at stake. We'll bring you all the latest of course on the chaos and crisis in French pol...
Talking France is back with a new episode, slightly earlier than planned because France has another meltdown. Forgive us for the title, but listen to the episode and you'll understand why we chose it. Even in a country that has made its name as Europe's political madhouse over the last year or so, this latest crisis took us all by surprise. Yes, France's new prime minister quit this week, just hours after naming his government. The country still doesn't have a budget and it's drowning in debt. W...
A former French president is set to spend some time behind bars in prison, quite a bit of time actually. Yes Nicolas Sarkozy, remember him, he’s been up to no good. Again. We'll hear about France's reaction to poor old Sarko being sent down and ask why are France's centre-right, law and order loving, politicians so... crooked? (Not all of them of course) We'll also lament the demise of Paris's, perhaps even the world's most famous avenue - The Champ-Élysées. Is it now the worst street in the Fre...
This week we’ll look at whether France’s new prime minister can do anything to appease the obstinate opposition in parliament and whether he’s got any chance of calming the growing anger on the streets. We’ll also find out why protests in France always spark a row over numbers, how Americans are being ripped off in Paris, why the French state may no longer pay for your 18-day trip to a thermal spa and why bullfighting is still legal in parts of France. And stay to the end to find out how the Fre...
On this week's show we'll bring you up to date with the turmoil in France, which shows no sign of calming down. The country has another new PM, but another day of strikes, protests and potential clashes looms large. Is there any way the crisis can be resolved? France's tax man is well nourished but there's a new plan gaining popularity that would see the country's richest pay more. But who's behind it and could it become law? We'll also hear what you think of the French schools system? Is it rig...
The French government has collapsed again after Prime Minister François Bayrou lost a vote of confidence in parliament on Monday night. We've been here before of course, but the latest French political crisis feels even more fraught with President Emmanuel Macron running out of options and numerous strikes and opposition movements lined up for the days ahead. What happens now? What happens in France when there's no government? What will happen to Macron himself? We'll try to answer all these que...
Be warned, France’s strike calendar for September is quickly filling up as various unions announce industrial action that could impact, well, pretty much all aspects of life in France. We’ll look at just how much disruption and political discord lie ahead over the next few weeks in France. And remember this could be the last Talking France episode with Francois Bayrou as Prime Minister. We’ll explore whether France has simply become ungovernable these days. We’ll also find about one French town ...
So summer's almost over, but it's been an eventful one in France. We'll bring you up to date with what's been happening. But the thrust of this week's episode and the reason we've started the new series a week earlier than planned is that France has, once again, been plunged into, yep you can guess what I'm going to say next: a new political crisis. The country is facing "great danger" says the PM Francois Bayrou, but is the country listening to him? We'll get all the news and analysis on the la...
This episode looks ahead to summer in France, covering potential transport strikes by air traffic controllers, rail workers, and taxi drivers that could impact holidays. It also discusses significant political turbulence, new outdoor smoking bans and heatwave rules for workers, and an expected hot summer. Listeners will get advice on surviving heatwaves and a preview of major events like the Tour de France.
This week we'll find out about how toxic green algae on Brittany's famously picturesque beaches claimed the life of a French jogger and perhaps others plus the role French farming and even the state played in his death. We'll also look at the far less sparkly side of France's prestigious Champagne industry that's exposed how badly grape pickers are treated and bring you all the details about how you can take a swim in the Seine in the heart of Paris this summer. And we'll explore why France has ...
Up this week : It's been another bad week for the reputation of French politicians. We'll discuss why they are so naughty, and when I say naughty I mean corrupt, rather than bed hopping. And we'll also bring you the good news that Paris and Charles de Gaulle airport will soon have a direct train link that's been centuries in the making. Although there's some bad news too given how much it's going to cost. We'll find out why France has been so successful in creating high speed trains and not so g...
This week we discuss a shocking incident which saw a teaching assistant stabbed to death by a pupil outside a French secondary school, and find out what the government plans to do, to tackle what the president has described as a "senseless wave of violence". We'll also find out about the efforts Paris is going to to protect the Seine and reveal all about Paris's second, secret river, that may be given a new life. We'll find out whether flight passengers in France and around Europe are going to l...
This week we'll explain the ongoing and far-from-brotherly dispute behind the different kinds of taxi drivers in France and whether they'll ever declare peace with each other. We'll examine why France's efforts to clean up the air in its polluted cities might be about to go up in smoke and explain France's new rules on smoking outdoors - and how they will impact both smokers and non-smokers. And we'll explain the tricky rules around remote working in France with the help of new information sent ...
In the line up this week we'll explain what prompted the huge reaction to that coming together between Brigitte Macron's hands and Emmanuel Macron's face. You must have seen the video by now. We don't know what happened but we do know what happened next. And from taxi driver blockades to farmers protesting in tractors and mysterious blackouts in the south, we'll bring you the latest on ongoing protests and disruption around the country as well as explain the huge paradox in French food farming. ...
This week we'll explain a spate of recent worrying kidnappings in France and what the French government is doing to halt them, plus we'll try and alleviate any fears for tourists in Paris after reports of two Americans being attacked by a street vendor wielding mini-Eiffel towers. We'll also look at how you might be affected by the agreements drawn up in the much-hyped UK - EU post Brexit deal thrashed out this week and compare hospital waiting times around the country. And stay to the end to fi...
This week we hear about how the unpopular President Emmanuel Macron plans to box himself out of a corner into the centre of the ring and if he’s actually going to hold any of his much talked about referendums. We’ll also find out about France’s urban rodeos and why they are so popular but also so dangerous. We’ll hear why the scandalous Dreyfus affair is such a key moment in French history, and why the impact is still being felt today. We’ll explain why we shouldn’t complain too much about all t...
In the show this week, French interior minister has announced plans to toughen up the requirements for becoming French - including a possible new history and civics test. We'll look at what he's got in mind for future citizenship applicants and most importantly whether it will actually change anything. We'll also find out about new proposals in France to get kids off their screens. Could France make Instagram go black and white? And organised crime has hit the headline in France recently after a...
