Talking France

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 hikes to plug the gaping deficit. We also look at which are the best cities in France when it comes to having access to everything you need for everyday life. Plus we explore where are the most remote parts of the country where you'll be conten...

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 be any positive legacy for Paris now the Olympics are over. Remember the political crisis that was paused over the summer? Well French politicians have pressed the play button again and the drama continues to be gripping.  We'll run...

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 shock result and although there were some losers - namely Marine Le Pen’s far right which finished third despite pollsters predictions that they would win - there wasn't really a clear winner. So what happens now? When will France get a new go...

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 elections. We also get all the reaction from the key players, look ahead at what happens next and get all the analysis from our politics expert John Lichfield. Host Ben McPartland is also joined by The Local France’s Emma Pearson. READ MORE: Wh...

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 explain the results, look ahead at what happens over the next few days and what Sunday's second round will bring. Can the far-right get a majority government or will the so-called Republican Front hold firm once again? President Emmanuel Macron...

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 more at stake. Is France heading for a political earthquake or can President Emmanuel Macron somehow limit the aftershocks and restore some calm? We'll look at what lies ahead in the weeks and months to come? Our French politics expert John L...

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 week's episode. Firstly we bring you right up to date with all the drama, the dodgy deals and shaky alliances, the infighting and betrayals and the pleas for French people to get out and vote. Our French politics wizard John Lichfield will expla...

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 results. On Sunday night, as the European election results were drifting in French President Emmanuel Macron took everyone by surprise by announcing he was dissolving the French parliament - the Assemblé Nationale - and that new electi...

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 a string of recent incidents from fake coffins left at the Eiffel Tower to bedbug invasion rumours. Why would Moscow do this and is it working? We also find about why the commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday are...

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 mean for the future? As well as explaining a little bit about the European parliament. We also look at how new laws aimed at averting dangerous wildfires in France will affect home owners plus explain why hundreds of thousands of home addresses...

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 the Olympics got to do with it? We also explain the crisis in France's overseas territory of New Caledonia, why the president has deemed it necessary to fly there and why France has such a complicated relationship with several far flung par...

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, why male motorists in France are being urged to drive like women and why the future is uncertain for Normandy's famous D-Day beaches as the 80th anniversary of the landings approaches. And is France doomed or is it booming? With the French go...

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 bonus day off? We also look at the big upcoming change for passport checks in Europe. It's called EES and it's almost certain to cause lots of travel issues, which is why we try and answer some of the important questions our readers have about i...

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? We explain where foreigners buy second homes in France and why fewer Brits are snapping up properties. We also find out why one French island is taking on Airbnb and look at why drivers on French motorways could soon avoid stopping for the...

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 to test a new 49 euro rail pass to encourage people to get onto trains. We explain who can take advantage of it and where you can use it. Plus it's 120 years of the entente cordiale between France and the UK, we will explore whether there's...

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 are handy but are they really sustainable?  We also look at how France's official Champagne region is going to grow. Could it include part of England one day? And with the Olympics in sight we'll explain, with the help of author Simon...

"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 explain how it could affect you and whether the crisis could bring down the French government this summer. As well as debt, we look at wealth and just how much money you have to have to be considered rich in France.  And away from money, w...

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 go wrong and it’s going to be a disaster or are they just excelling at that famous Gallic sport of complaining? And we’ll hear the story of France’s famous Michelin guide and who the secret restaurant inspectors are. We also examine the lat...

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 ... Vladimir Putin. We'll also explain why southern France will likely see more deadly floods in future and try to understand why certain French towns are allowed casinos and why others, including Paris, are not. President Emmanuel Macron has ang...

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 tourist attraction. We'll also look at why one American sport has become so popular in France, what foreigners do to blend in with the locals in France and where you can find quality but affordable restaurants near you. And we'll also explore why...

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 Lyon is the one city in France we should all move to plus why President Emmanuel Macron is suddenly suggesting Nato troops could be stationed in Ukraine.  And we'll find out why the French tax man might be spying on your Facebook or Insta...

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 French citizen. We look at the struggle of French villages to hold on to their boulangeries, whether the guillotine could ever make a comeback in France and explain why Monaco on the French Riviera is known as a playground for the rich, the...

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 out why Eurostar is facing more travel misery. We'll try to understand French waiters - are they just grumpy garçons or serious professionals who get an unfair reputation and answer some of your important questions on the new French language r...

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 is headed for some serious unrest… again. We explain all the latest developments for you. And a big law change affecting foreign residents in France has seen the government toughen the French language requirements for certain residency perm...

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 on for and how will it be resolved? We'll also look at why President Emmanuel Macron's suggestion the French need to be making more babies has caused a bit of uproar and why the French are making so many films but not as many babies. We will...