Podcast
Talking France
Hosted by The Local France · EN
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
France's new anti-mosquito measures and where the French go for good food
May 500:27:13Tap to summarizeThis week we’ll hear about how France is under siege from mosquitoes and the new and old ways being used to fight back - including what you can do to keep them out of your garden.We’ll also find out about the parts in France where drivers caught using the mobile phones at the wheel will face stiff new punishments and hear about the parts of the country the French head to if they want good food.We’ll also get the latest on the 2027 French presidential race and get some French language tips for how to respond when someone thanks you.I’m Ben McPartland and I’ll be joined by The Local France’s Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →France takes on Musk and will French airports run out of jet fuel this summer?
Apr 2200:36:53Tap to summarizeOn this week’s show we’ll find out why a story involving French prosecutors, a rabbit and the US tech billionaire and far right crusader Elon Musk made headlines in France.We’ll also find out why the rules for driving cars in cities and towns across France look set for a dramatic change and whether the country’s most notorious ring road could be transformed from one of the most polluted spots in France into an urban green paradise.And as the Middle East crisis continues and fears grow in Europe about jet fuel supplies we’ll look at the chances of flights to France being scrapped this summer. And what about if you want to take the train instead? Will you be able to book the trip?And stay to the end to find out how the French talk about their hangovers. You’ll certainly learn a handy phrase or two.Host Ben McPartland is joined by our two brainiacs Emma Pearson and Emma Albright plus our French politics wizard John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →France to lose 1.7million children and far right photoshoot causes stir
Apr 1500:36:49Tap to summarizeIn 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.
Transcribe →French tax traps you need to avoid and why Paris is divided in two
Apr 900:36:24Tap to summarizeThis week we'll find out whether France is running out of fuel or not and get the latest on how expensive it is to fill up your tank here.We'll hear about a cautionary tale of how the French tax man caught an apparent 'non-resident' because of all the take away meals he was ordering in France.And we'll alert you to a few more tax traps you want to avoid in France during declaration season.We'll also discuss the new plan to cut waiting times for residency cards, why one part of France doesn't have motorway tolls, the latest on the EU's new biometric border checks at French ports and why there's still a clear east west divide in Paris.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and our politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Oil crisis fuels French anger and is France sleepwalking into a far-right presidency?
Mar 3100:32:44Tap to summarizeOn 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.
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