In this week's new episode we examine why the French can't bear spicy food and take a look at just how elitist the country is especially when it comes to its schools and universities. And for second home owners and regular visitors we take a look at what might happen if you don't respect that pesky 90-day rule and stay too long in France. Could you banned from the EU? Plus much much more for anyone interested in France. See below for related articles. ------- Hello and welcome to a new series of...
Nov 09, 2023•34 min•Season 9Ep. 1
Given the number of bomb alerts at French airports and tourist sites is it wise to travel to the country right now? And whilst many dream of retiring to France how easy it to actually do it, both practically and emotionally? We examine these questions and more in the new episode of Talking France. Article links below. ---------- Welcome to a new episode of Talking France, a podcast by The Local. In this week’s episode we will do, as our name promises, and talk about France. In roughly 30 minutes...
Oct 25, 2023•29 min•Season 8Ep. 8
What does the heightened terror alert in France mean for those who live here and visitors and why does the government fear there may be more attacks? Plus why is France obsessed by farmers finding love, why are doctors in the country on strike and is McDonald's really healthier in France than in other countries? We discuss all these topics and more in this week's episode. ------- Welcome to the latest episode of Talking France, a weekly podcast by The Local. There’s no shortage of major talking ...
Oct 18, 2023•35 min•Season 8Ep. 7
This week's episode looks at just how bad the bedbug crisis in France really is and why the insects have become political. It also examines why second homes in one part of France are being targeted by a bombing campaign and why American tourists were booed when arriving in France recently. And we also have essential wine tips for you. ------ Welcome to a new episode of Talking France. We are back with more insight into the big issues and talking points in France this week. Including bed bugs. Ye...
Oct 11, 2023•36 min•Season 8Ep. 6
This new episode of Talking France tackles the big issues such as whether rural France has a crime problem and what the French government is going to do about it. We also look at why people from anglophone countries move to France, why French baguettes taste different and how you can best solve any disputes with your French neighbours. ------- Over the next 30 minutes or so of your life we will do our utmost to shed light on the big issues in France right now and delve into some important matter...
Oct 05, 2023•31 min•Season 8Ep. 5
This week's Talking France podcast looks at the explosion of bedbugs in France including on trains and in the cinemas. We delve into French tax laws inspired by an ongoing epic legal battle involving one of the world's biggest art dynasties and look at the dangers of going green for President Emmanuel Macron. We'll explain a controversial motorway in the south west and tips for choosing a decent restaurant in France. --------- On the Talking France menu this week we have a six course meal full o...
Sep 28, 2023•33 min•Season 8Ep. 4
In this week's show we'll explain the French government's "desperate" measure aimed at bringing down fuel prices, we'll hear about a tragic hunting accident in France and new efforts to crackdown on drunk hunters and we'll reveal just how seriously the French take the subject of health. ----- Over the next 30 mins or so we bring you up to date with some of the big issues in France right now and look at how aspects of this country work. Starting with fuel. Filling up your car has become so expens...
Sep 21, 2023•36 min•Season 8Ep. 3
In this week's show we explain why the next big French political flare up looks set to be over immigration rules. We look at how France's planned discount rail ticket will work and examine the system that allows you to buy a property in France cheaper than market value - if you are prepared to wait. ------ We’ve got a strong line up of subjects this week. starting with France’s planned changes to immigration laws. They’ve been on the table a long while, but the plans look likely to cause the nex...
Sep 14, 2023•38 min•Season 8Ep. 2
French property tax bills have begun to arrive and many property-owners are seeing a steep increase in the fees. We'll explain why and what it means for homeowners. Plus we will take a look at what this year's "rentrée" will mean for France. --- Thanks for joining us for what is the first episode of the autumn, although it feels like the middle of summer in France this week given the scorching temperatures in much of the country. We are all refreshed, rested and slightly sunburned and eager to g...
Sep 07, 2023•35 min•Season 8Ep. 1
The violence, looting and arson seen across France in recent nights may have subsided for now but can President Emmanuel Macron and his government heal the scars that have been left in a divided country? John Lichfield and the team at The Local France look at the damage that has been caused after a week of rioting and whether there is any chance of real reform in a country where change is often hard to come by. ----------- Welcome to a new episode of Talking France. It’s our final episode of thi...
Jul 04, 2023•33 min•Season 7Ep. 9
France is in shock this week and riots have broken out in the suburbs of Paris after the deadly shooting of a teenager by a police officer at close range during a routine traffic stop. Are we set for a repeat of the 2005 violence that spread across the country and lasted for weeks? And much of France is on alert for drought so could water shortages across the country hit your summer holiday plans? ----- Welcome to a new episode of Talking France, our penultimate episode before we take a summer b...
Jun 28, 2023•38 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Is life in rural France really that difficult? There are definite challenges and the French government has announced a new plan to rejuvenate countryside villages. Also this week we explain why France is the number one country for getting naked, French département numbers and look at why the government is concerned about having too many tourists. ------ Welcome back to all our regular listeners. Thanks to those of you who have sent us tweets or emails with feedback, comments and ideas. It’s grea...
Jun 22, 2023•36 min•Season 7Ep. 7
France is facing another summer of drought and water shortages but how bad will the situation get and where in the country is worst affected? Plus John Lichfield explains why France needs to avoid falling into the same trap as the UK did with Brexit and why is France so attached to philosophy? --- Thanks for tuning into a new episode of Talking France, a podcast for anyone who has an interest in France and wants to keep up to date with what’s going on here. As always, in this week’s show we’ll e...
Jun 15, 2023•34 min•Season 7Ep. 6
Have pension strikes in France have finally run out of steam and after months of unrest and political wrangling were there any real winners and losers? Mont St Michel, one of France's most spectacular landmarks celebrated becoming 1,000 years old this week. Huge efforts have been made in recent years to restore the site to its original maritime character but we'll ask whether the tourist influx means Mont st Michel is now best avoided. And the EU's 90-day rule is the subject of a lot of misinfor...
Jun 08, 2023•37 min•Season 7Ep. 5
France is home to the most second homes in Europe but why are they increasingly subject to extra costs, particularly in certain parts of the country and find out how France and Ireland have boosted trade and travel links since Britain left the EU. And why are Champagne industry lawyers taking on an American beer? We are already into the month of June in France. How time flies or Comme le temps passe vite as they say in French. In this week's episode we find out why thousands of cans of American ...
Jun 01, 2023•37 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Can France solve the problem of queues at border control before the summer, what's in the new immigration bill that has caused a new political rumpus and why French cities are pushing out the car but it remains untouchable in rural France. Hello and thanks for tuning in to a new episode of Talking France. Over the next 30 minutes we will bring you up to date on the most important stories from France this week. We’ll also talk about cows and pheasants. In this episode we find out more about recen...
May 25, 2023•39 min•Season 7Ep. 3
The French are the second worst drivers in Europe according to a new survey, but there are many rules of the road that need to be observed. Some are more complicated than others for foreign drivers. And France has become far more attractive for foreign businesses in recent years, but is it all down to President Emmanuel Macron? Welcome to a new episode of Talking France in which our team of journalists and experts at The Local talk about France. In this latest episode we will find out who in Fra...
May 17, 2023•36 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Is there any truth to the cliché that France's workers are lazy and could Ryanair and Easyjet limit French air traffic control strikes? These are just two of the topics we will tackle in the first episode of a new series of Talking France. Please take a minute to leave a review. This week we'll find out why frustrated budget airlines like Ryanair are trying to force a change to limit French air traffic control strikes and what you should know if you want to book a tour around one of the country'...
May 11, 2023•37 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Is there a whiff of revolution in the air in France after months of protests and strikes and how does living in the country change your habits? This week we have another jam-packed show and we starting by finding out what our team thinks will happen next after months of protests and strikes in France. Could the revolt change France? Is Macron a lame duck, are the strikes over and are we heading for a 6th Republic? And what does that even mean? You can John Lichfield's latest column here: OPINION...
Apr 20, 2023•38 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Welcome to our latest episode of Talking France - a weekly podcast by The Local. If you enjoy the podcast please take the time to leave a review on Apple, Spotify or Google or if you have any feedback please email us at news@thelocal.fr. All our in-depth articles are available at our website thelocal.fr Is the long battle over pension reform in France finally coming to an end? Everything could depend on the nine wise men and women, who sit on a very important council. In this week's episode we f...
Apr 13, 2023•35 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Welcome to a new episode of Talking France. As always this week, we get stuck into the big issues that are making the news in France. That means finding out why a French minister exposed herself to a barrage of criticism this week by appearing on the cover of Playboy magazine? And Marseille, France's second city is being dubbed the "murder capital” again after more deadly shootings in recent days. But just how dangerous is the Mediterranean port city for visitors? And of course, the mother of al...
Apr 06, 2023•36 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Welcome to a special bonus episode of Talking France. If this is your first time listening to Talking France you should check out our regular weekly podcast which looks at a wide range of news, talking points and cultural questions from France. You listen to all our episodes here . For this bonus episode we are sticking to one subject focussing on the political crisis and protests against pension reform that have gripped the country in recent weeks. Regular listeners to Talking France will be fa...
Apr 01, 2023•18 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Welcome to a new episode of Talking France, a podcast produced by The Local, made possible by our members. If you like the podcast please take a moment to leave a review on the platform where you listen to it, such as Apple podcasts or send us your views via our podcast survey HERE . France is still mired in crisis and this week we focus on why the mood in the country has become so angry. We also look at why pension reform protests have turned violent and who are these black clad protesters wavi...
Mar 30, 2023•36 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Welcome to a new episode of Talking France, a podcast by The Local, for anyone interested in what’s going on in France. And right now there’s a lot going on in France. For example, an almighty political crisis over President Emmanuel Macron’s contentious move to raise the pension age from 62 to 64. We have all the latest on how the battle is playing out, including on the streets where hundreds of protests, some violent, have taken place in recent days. We look at what’s going to happen next and ...
Mar 22, 2023•33 min•Season 6Ep. 3
There is always a lot to talk about in France and this week’s episode is brimming with important issues and changes that listeners will be keen to know about. As rubbish piles up on the streets of Paris the controversial pension reform bill reaches a crucial moment in the French parliament. Will Macon get enough votes to get it through? The French tax man is famously demanding but perhaps not as mean spirited as people might think. We look at how taxes are rising for those owning property in the...
Mar 16, 2023•38 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Talking France is back this week with more analysis on the big news stories in France as well as insights into French culture. To start us off we look at the state of play with the ongoing French pension strikes and whether they could yet bring France to a stand still. We look into the controversy surrounding Paris 2024 Olympics tickets and why it’s only March but we are already talking about water restrictions and drought in France. And looking ahead to the summer we hear which of the islands o...
Mar 09, 2023•34 min•Season 6Ep. 1
As is the time honoured tradition on this podcast we bring you up to date with some of the most interesting news stories and changes happening in France. Including wine. Yes, nothing is more synonymous with France than wine, but why is the government spending millions to turn thousands of bottles of wine into cosmetics? And when it comes to vin - we try to get to the bottom of some of the fact and fiction around the drinking etiquette and rules you need to respect. From wine to health. This week...
Feb 23, 2023•35 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this episode of Talking France we look into why so many Parisians are choosing to leave Paris to live elsewhere and what are the upsides and downsides to this exodus for the French capital. We also bring you news of a change to the process of becoming French and explore just how hard it is for a foreigner to become naturalised. One of the criteria of becoming a citoyen of France is of course to speak French and following a suggestion from readers we bring you some crucial advice for mastering...
Feb 16, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 6
This week on Talking France we explore why the French public are compared to stroppy teenagers when it comes to their relationship with the state. Are they just a bunch of ungrateful kids or are they right to be so demanding? We also discuss the next moves in the battle over pension reform after the third day of mass strikes and protests this week. Visitors have been warned-off two of France’s most famous beauty spots. We find out why and look at what the country’s best natural attractions are d...
Feb 09, 2023•30 min•Season 5Ep. 5
On this podcast we bring you up to date with all the big news and changes in France that you should know about. All in roughly 30 minutes. On this week’s episode we look at the latest skirmishes in the battle between the French government and unions over pension reform in France. The protests appear to be growing in strength and more strikes are planned in February. It’s no doubt a crucial moment in Emmanuel Macron’s presidency but will he prevail? In a very different subject this week we examin...
Feb 02, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 4
