Shows / Talking France
Talking France
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…
Episodes
- Talking France
Do the French need to work harder and why is Nice the place to move to?
For this week's big talking points we'll look at what's happening on May Day in France, why French bakers are up in arms this year and whether there'll be any…
- Talking France
So who'll be the next president of France and three French laws you should know
It might be two years but the race - albeit a marathon rather than a sprint - to be the next president of France has already started. We’ll hear about who’s in…
- Talking France
What now for Le Pen after bombshell verdict and France's favourite dishes revealed
This new episode is not one you want to miss because shockwaves rippled around France this week when it was announced far right leader Marine Le Pen had been…
- Talking France
Crunch time for Le Pen, Ryanair's threat and McDonald's targets rural France
This week we'll look at a potential earthquake in French politics that could strike next week. That's when far right leader Marine Le Pen will find out whether…
- Talking France
Why the US can be grateful to the French, France's tremor threat and avoiding ETA scams
This week we look at the earthquake risks in different parts of France after the city of Nice and the surrounding area was recently shaken by a 4.1 magnitude…
- Talking France
How France can revive village life and the historic menace lurking under French soil
This week we look at how the international crisis is impacting France. Is President Emmanuel Macron a war monger and making the most of it all to boost his…
- Talking France
Can Macron keep Trump on Europe's side and will France see a tourism backlash?
We start off this week by jumping straight into the increasingly choppy waters of international relations and examine whether France has a strong enough…
- Talking France
What does it mean to be French and how will France's budget impact you?
On the menu for this week we'll start off by talking about France's new highly intelligent cat, which Emmanual Macron is hoping will rule the world. Don't…
- Talking France
The French mineral water scandal, Alps travel headaches and solving 'tu' versus 'vous'
On the bill this week, we get the latest on the forecast for how long the French PM will last as he tries to navigate the government through evermore turbulent…
- Talking France
Macron’s €800m Louvre revamp explained and full speed ahead for rural France
This week we'll examine the French President's planned multi-million euro revamp of the world famous Louvre gallery in Paris and also… why is Emmanuel Macron…
- Talking France
Why France must act to avoid being ‘crushed’ and French census stirs anger
Donald Trump is back and his mate Elon Musk is doing a lot of talking and gesticulating, but the pair have been fairly quiet about France... so far. We'll…
- Talking France
Will pensioners bring down France and why the 'office de tourisme' is dying out?
This week we'll find out why pensioners are to blame for all of France's problems, well not quite, but they are perhaps to blame for all the new prime…
- Talking France
Why driving in France has got complicated and the 12 moans that explain the French
This week we bring you all the latest on some big changes in France for drivers and look at where in the country you’ll wait the longest for a response from…
- Talking France
What to expect in France in 2025 from new laws to major travel changes
This special episode is dedicated entirely to looking ahead so you know a little about what to expect in France in 2025. We'll try and answer some of the big…
- Talking France
Can you get by in France without French and why does the government spend so much?
In this special episode of Talking France in which we answer some questions about France from listeners of the podcast and readers of The Local. These…
- Talking France
How long will new French PM last and what to expect in France this Christmas?
France has a new Prime Minister, just in time for the New Year, but how long will he last for in 2025? France does have a PM but will it get a new government…
- Talking France
Will France get a Christmas truce and how speaking French affects your personality?
This week, we'll get the latest on the ongoing political crisis in France and President Emmanuel Macron's quest to find a government to run the country. Will…
- Talking France
What next as France enters the unknown after government collapse?
France has been plunged into crisis this week. As widely expected the French government has fallen along with Prime Minister Michel Barnier after they lost a…
- Talking France
Will landmark rape trial change France and what's next if French government falls?
France has only had a new government for a couple of months and now it looks like it could lose it - just when it really needs one. We'll find out what's going…
- Talking France
French sex lives explained, Notre Dame's unholy row and is Le Pen facing the end?
Protesting French farmers are threatening to cause chaos and the government is struggling to calm their anger. We explain the reasons for their fury and why…
- Talking France
France faces winter of strikes and protests and will Trump revive Macron?
This week we look ahead to winter in France, not the weather or Christmas, but the likelihood of major strikes causing disruption across the country. French…
- Talking France
New French rail strikes protest 'privatisation' and how can Americans move to France?
To start this news series off we find out how the French President Emmanuel Macron and his government might be feeling about the return of Donald Trump to the…
- Talking France
How painful will cuts in France be and why's Macron fretting about Emily in Paris?
Up for discussion this week is what's been described as "the most violent austerity plan France has ever seen." We find out just how painful the new budget…
- Talking France
How Paris is different from France and when will French ski slopes close for good?
The big news this week in France is that the mythical golden owl, a treasure people in France have been hunting for for three decades, has finally been found…
- Talking France
The foreigners who helped make France and just how bad is the French debt crisis?
Up for discussion this week is the French PM's key policy speech and why it sounded like a wedding speech by a bride's grandfather. Plus, does the PM have a…
- Talking France
Can France's government of 'losers' win anyone over and French airports hit turbulence
In this new episode we take a look at France's new government. It's been dubbed a government of "losers" and we'll get to the bottom of who's in it, how long…
- Talking France
Can France accept major tax hikes and what's gone wrong with croissants?
This week we'll get the latest on the never-ending story that is France's quest to find a new government and find out if the country is facing imminent tax…
- Talking France
How long will France's new PM last and what will the Paris Olympics legacy be?
Talking France is back with a new series. This week, we'll bring you right up to date with the political shenanigans in France and examine whether there will…
- Talking France
How can France's stormy political crisis be resolved and will the Olympics go to plan?
In the last episode before the summer break we focus on the post-election political crisis that is gripping France. We've had the elections, they produced a…
- Talking France
How to explain France's shock election results and what happens now?
In this special edition of the Talking France podcast we'll look in detail at the shock results of the defining second round of France’s snap parliamentary…
- Talking France
With France's far right at the gates of power will French voters let them in?
France has voted in the first round of the snap parliamentary poll - an election considered one of the most pivotal in recent French history. This week, we…
- Talking France
Elections to take France into 'dark territory' and explaining the second homes crackdown
This episode comes at a crucial time in France's recent history. The first round of France's snap parliamentary elections are on Sunday and there couldn't be…
- Talking France
Could French elections wreck the EU and France's tourist sites to avoid this summer?
We're in the midst of a pretty major political crisis here in France with snap elections coming up so needless to say we have plenty to talk about in this…
- Talking France
What now for France after Macron's great election gamble?
Welcome to a special episode of The Local's Talking France podcast in which we take a look at the (latest) political crisis in France following the EU election…
- Talking France
Why Russia is picking on France and how Europe's 'monumental' travel change will affect you
The talking points from France this week... in no particular order are - Russian meddling in French affairs. Yes France has accused Russia of being involved in…
- Talking France
Explaining Paris syndrome and how the EU elections will impact France
On the bill this week we have the European elections. We answer the important questions: Why should we care, how will they affect France and what will they…
- Talking France
What are real French values and does France care about its troubled far-away territories?
This week we find out why so many workers are going on strike in Paris at the moment. From waste collectors to firefighters - what do they all want, and what's…
- Talking France
Is France booming or bust, Paris QR codes explained and how to drive like a Frenchwoman?
This week on Talking France we explore more of the big issues in France such as... who'll actually need a special QR security code during the Paris Olympics…
- Talking France
Major French border changes explained and could France ban screens for kids?
We kick off this week looking at the Féte du Travail on May 1st. Is it still a significant, symbolic day for workers in France or is it just regarded as a…
- Talking France
How French invaded the English language, where foreigners buy second homes and youth violence flares
This week we explore just how big an issue is youth violence around schools in France. Is it out of control or just being exploited by those pesky politicians?…
- Talking France
Is the Entente Cordiale still worth anything, France's new rail pass and 'crookie' versus croissant?
On this week's Talking France we talk about trains, croissants, the Le Pens, French bashing and the sexy subject of tax declarations in France. France is about…
- Talking France
Can regional French airports survive, big changes in Paris and France's most dangerous animals
Up for discussion this week are France's regional airports. Have you flown into or out of the likes of Limoges, Brest or even Bergerac? No doubt these airports…
- Talking France
Is France heading for a Greek-style debt crisis and the most beautiful French train journeys?
"It's gone wild," "It's a meltdown" - these were just some of the shocked reactions to news that France is in a fair bit of debt and it's getting worse. We…
- Talking France
Why is France so negative about the Olympics, a new schools row and the secret Michelin critics
In this week’s talking points we’ll look at why the French are so down about the Olympics right now. Are they understandably worried that everything’s going to…
- Talking France
Why the European elections really matter in France plus deadly floods and French casinos
This week on Talking France we get the lowdown on the European Elections and why in France at least it's looking like it will be a resounding victory for …
- Talking France
Why France loves shopping rules, the real Versailles and how to blend in with the French
In this week's episode of Talking France we'll find out why history was made at the Palais de Versailles and why the famous site is far more than just a…
- Talking France
Macron breaks war taboo, why Lyon is the place to move to and French language test tips
Talking France returns for its 11th series with a new jam-packed episode. We will look at whether French farmers are set to reignite their protests, and why…
- Talking France
Losing your French citizenship, energy ratings explained and is Monaco just for millionaires?
This week we explain everything from... France's famous Droit du Sol and why it's caused a political row, to how you could lose your newly acquired status as a…
- Talking France
Eurostar faces more misery, defending Paris waiters and key questions on new French language tests
On the menu this week we look at whether more French cities will follow the lead of Paris by turning up the heat big fuel guzzling SUV vehicles plus we find…
- Talking France
France's new language test rules explained and how will the farmers' 'siege of Paris' end?
The country’s farmers are staging a siege of Paris and no one quite knows how it’s going to play out, how long this siege will last for, or whether the country…
- Talking France
What next for farmers' revolt, France's baby problem and are French fries really French?
This week we explain the anger among French farmers that has led them to block motorways across the country. Who's to blame, how long will the road blocks go…
- Talking France
What's Macron really up to, French private schools explained and are doggy bags ok in France?
In this week's episode we look at what's ahead for the next three years of Emmanuel Macron's presidency given that he has a new prime minister and a new…
- Talking France
Your questions answered: Why do people think the French aren't funny and can anyone stop Marine Le Pen?
In this special episode to kick off series 10 of Talking France we answer a selection of questions from our listeners including: Do the French have no sense of…
- Talking France
What to expect in France in 2024 from politics to travel news and the Olympic Games
This special episode of Talking France is dedicated entirely to looking ahead so you know what to expect in France in 2024. We'll try and answer some of the…
- Talking France
Does French immigration law spell bad news for foreigners and how Catholic is France?
France's controversial immigration bill has passed through parliament. It's been hailed as a victory for the ideas of the far right but just how bad is it for…
- Talking France
Why French schools don't have uniforms and rural France turns to the power of the sun
On this week’s episode of Talking France we look what happens next France’s latest political crisis, we explain the downfall of France’s most famous actor and…
- Talking France
Is Paris safe, are the French all adulterers and are France's banlieues all that bad?
On this week's episode we explore whether Paris is a safe city to visit right now, what exactly are France's notorious banlieues and whether they deserve their…
- Talking France
France fears far-right violence and should the French ditch their crazy numbers?
Just how concerned should we be in France over a spike in far right violence after the murder of a young man in a rural village? What are the new international…
- Talking France
Why is the European parliament in two different places and is money taboo in France?
Could we soon see the end of flight cancellations, delays and general travel misery caused by striking French air traffic controllers? Where is this region…
- Talking France
Life in France to get more expensive and busting myths about Napoleon
This week our team will bring you up to date on that latest on some important changes to immigration rules in France, including one for British second home…