Talking France

In this week's show we'll find out why the rules around France's sacred May 1st public holiday have sparked a political row to the point where some lawmakers have accused the government ministers of - quote -  "pissing all over us". We'll also hear why arguably France's most unique region wants independence, why pictures of far-right presidential favourite Jordan Bardella and his new girlfriend have caused a stir and why France is set to lose 1.7 million children over the next decade.Plus this week Talking France will have a hairy ending, so be sure to stay with us.Host Ben McPartland will be joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s show we’ll find out how the war in the Middle East is impacting life in France as fuel prices rise and protests kick off around the country.What can the government do to ease the crisis?With the local elections out of the way France’s next election race has begun. It’s the big one - we’ll get the lowdown on the lineup for the 2027 Presidential Election and whether we can already call a winner.Excitement levels have gone through the roof in France this week and it’s all to do with Celine Dion. Why does the Canadian singer cause such a frenzy here?And we’ll discuss the best and the worst, most ridiculous, most babyish ways to say hello in French. If you want to know why I’m getting a bit irate, stay with us until the end.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France: Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and politics expert John Lichfield.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Local’s Talking France podcast is attracting more and more listeners each week and we currently have over 12,000 monthly downloads on average. If your company would like to connect with our international audience and sponsor one of our episodes, please email news@thelocal.frThis week we are, what the French describe as "l'entre deux tours" which means between two rounds. I'm referring to the crucial French local elections that are taking place. We are between the first and the decisive second round on Sunday. There's a lot to decipher amid the political shenanigans that are happening in France right now, but we'll try and clear it all up and look ahead to Sunday's vote.We'll also head to different parts of France in this week's episode to find out about some great towns to move to - mainly because property there is affordable. Have a listen and see which of these less well known French towns takes your fancy.We'll also discuss the French government's plan to get us all eating well - but do they really expect us to follow their advice?And one of the many banes of a French language learner's life is the silent letter! Why are there so many, how can we possibly learn them all? We'll get some expert tips and explanations.I'm Ben McPartland and I'll be joined for this episode of Talking France by the team at The Local, Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and our French politics decoder John Lichfield.We are recording this on Tuesday March 17th so a Happy St Patrick’s Day to all our Irish listeners both in France and Ireland, I know we have a fair few so a special "Cead Mile Failte" to you all - which means ‘100,000 welcomes’ in Irish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

France right now is pretty much either water or under metres of snow, depending on where you are in the country so we'll start by getting the latest on the extreme weather that continues to lash the country.The big story in France this week has been the killing of a young far-right activist in Lyon after violent clashes that have been blamed on a group on the extreme left. We'll look at all the reaction and finger-pointing that has followed and the fears there may be more violence to come as we head towards the 2027 presidential election.We'll also hear the stories of young people and pensioners who have been denied French citizenship because of tightened rules around income and bring you the final details about a new healthcare fee many foreigners in France will have to pay in future.And we'll explain why the upcoming salon d'agriculture is such a key date in the French cultural and political calendar - even if there are no cows this year.And there's nothing worse for French learners than being betrayed by all those false friends, but why are there so many of them? We’ll find out.Host Ben McPartland is joined as usual this week by the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson, otherwise known as EmmaP - Emma Albright, otherwise known as Emma A and our politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 explain why there's been a big drop in the number of foreigners becoming French, but why there's been a big rise in the number of Americans moving across the Atlantic to set up home in France.And we'll help you reveal the animal in you by teaching you some must-know French expressions...Host Ben McPartland and I'll be joined by the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 look at how bad a plague hazing is at French universities and get a view on how different the drinking cultures is between French and British students.And are open fires in cosy homes in rural France soon to be a thing of the past?And we'll explain some of the weird and wacky noises you'll hear the French make.Host Ben McPartland is joined this week by the two Emmas : Pearson and Albright and the one John: Lichfield that is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 starting to pile up at the start of the year, hear about the French government’s plan to ban young teenagers from accessing social media sites and help you learn some key French strike vocab and importantly how to pronounce it. For this new series of Talking France, well it’s a combination of the old and the new, the old, well that’s host Ben McPartland and Emma Pearson The Local France’s editor and John Lichfield our politics expert. And the new, well we’ve got a new member of The Local France team, she’s also an Emma - Emma Albright. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Christmas in France this year, will the farmers scupper your travel plans, will there be snow and why has the whole country become obsessed by a wolf.And we'll have a look at some of the best, worst and most memorable moments in France in 2025.I'm Ben McPartland and I'll be joined by The Local France's Editor Emma Pearson and our politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 shocking statistic that shows us how much more needs to be done.We will also explain about how French mayors are taking on noisy tourists and their suitcases.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France - Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the relentless march of fast food in France and the apparent sad demise of traditional restaurants.We'll also reveal why you all need to be well behaved on flights from France in future and we'll say prayers for the Louvre.Im Ben McPartland and i'll be joined as usual by The Local France's elite team of specialist gossipers, blabberers and jibber-jabberers Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.READ MORE: OPINION: A far-right President Bardella of France? It could happenFrom new flights to public holidays, we have in depth coverage of everything that will change in France in 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 residency and citizenship applicants is all about and find out about France's cycling boom and why there's a new move to keep bikes off the pavements.And we'll explore how to make the best impression if you're invited into a French home.Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.READ MORE: OPINION: Louvre jewel theft shows the France is simply too richFrench government confirms civics and language test exemptions for over 65s Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. What the heck is going to happen next? We'll look into our crystal ball.Away from politics we'll find out where all the eggs have gone in France, if it's Ok to be late when meeting French people and we'll tell you all you need to know about France's sacred "secu" - that's the social security system that looks after us all.Host Ben McPartland and I'll be joined as usual by The Local France team: Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.READ MORE:OPINION: France is in a dark place, it may get darker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.