Why are French property taxes shooting up and what's in store for 'la rentrée'?

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 we look at the ailments afflicting France’s famed health system. And are you in the middle a medical desert in France? We hear what the government plans to do for you.And if you’ve been to a beach on France’s west or northern coast you’ll no doubt have spotted some concrete World War Two bunkers. We hear the fascinating story of why they are still there.On top of that we find out about the man described as the French Shakespeare and tell you just what it costs to retire to France.Ben McPartland, your host, will be The Local’s foreign legion Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and our politics expert John Lichfield.REQUEST: If you like listening to Talking France please leave a review on whatever platform you listen to the podcast. It just helps us find new listeners. And of course if you have any feedback, please email us at news@thelocal.fr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Helmi 202335min

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 the language of Moliere and Asterix.And the battle over pension reform in France has not gone away, we bring you up to date with the strikes and look at some shenanigans in the French parliament.We also introduce you to a Frenchman named Robert Hébras and the horrific story that led to him being given a national memorial service this week.Ben McPartland your host will be joined as always by The Local France’s editor Emma Pearson and journalist Gen Mansfield, plus French language expert Camille Chevalier-Karfis.If you like what you hear we'd really appreciate it if you left us a review on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google or wherever you listen to Talking France. Alternatively if you have suggestions for the podcast team please email us at news@thelocal.frArticles to read:TEST: Could you pass the French citizenship exam?Why is everyone moving out of Paris and is that a good thing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Helmi 202336min

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 doing to stay off the list of no-go sites.And that most famous of French statesmen Charles de Gaulle has been in the news this week, well one his grandson’s has at least. We explain what he’s been up to and find out more about what happened to the former president’s family.And if you want to understand the reasoning behind French school holiday dates and learn some handy tips for life in France then stay turned until the end.If you like what you hear we'd really appreciate it if you left us a review on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google or wherever you listen to Talking France. Alternatively if you have suggestions for the podcast team please email us at news@thelocal.frRelated articles:OPINION: Macron will risk anger on streets rather than abandon pension reform quietlyReader question: Will pension strikes affect fuel supplies in France?France’s most spectacular beauty spots suffer from too many touristsReader question: Is there any kind of logic behind France’s school holiday zones? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Helmi 202330min

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 examine whether the French really are rude and abrupt and hear about one of France’s biggest and arguably best theme parks and the new controversial film its produced about the French Revolution.We’ll find out how long foreigners have to work in France to qualify for a French pension and look at where this reputation of the French being sexy comes from and more importantly is there any truth in it?If you like what you hear we'd really appreciate it if you left us a review on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google or wherever you listen to Talking France. Alternatively if you have suggestions for the podcast team please email us at news@thelocal.frArticles linked to podcast:ANALYSIS: Who is winning the battle over French pension reform?Calendar: The latest French pension strike dates to rememberPensions: What should I expect if I worked in both France and a non-EU country?OPINION: Who are really the rudest – the French, tourists or Parisians?A small request to all our listeners. If you like what you hear on Talking France please take a minute to review us on the platform you listen to it, whether Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps us grow our audience which is basically what we need to do to be able to keep producing these episodes. Failing that please recommend us to a friend or family member or even on social media. Obviously if you don’t like what you hear please email news@thelocal.fr and tell us why. Thanks to all our listeners who are paying members of The Local. We wouldn’t be able to do this without you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 Helmi 202329min

As is our duty on this podcast we bring you the main news and talking points from the week in France including of course updates about strikes and protests, what’s coming next and whether the strikes are going to hit the winter holiday period.We also examine why retirement in France is so sacred and why the country is such a popular place for foreigners to retire to.The French are known to cherish food, fraternité and pharmacies but they also have a less well known love for comic books. We explain why.And France may have a reputation as the land of romance - and Frenchmen as great charmers - but a concerning new study suggests France is still deeply sexist and many Frenchmen don’t see a problem with that.We also answer a question being asked by property owners in France, hear about two French actors in new films about the French police, and as ever we’ll have some essential life hacks for you.Articles to read:French pension strikes - What to expect on January 31stCalendar - The French pension strike dates to rememberFrance brings in new tax declaration for property ownersMany young Frenchmen say violence against women acceptable, sexism survey reveals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Tammi 202328min

You join us at a really crucial moment, for France, for President Emmanuel Macron, for the French trade unions and of course for anyone living in the country or visiting.That’s because what’s been billed as the ‘mother of all battles’ - is about to begin between unions and striking workers on one side and the French government on the other. At the centre of it all is the government's controversial plans to reform pensions.Will France be brought to a standstill? Who and where will be worst hit by the industrial action? How long will this battle go on for? Can France’s trade unions still put up a fight? Will Macron cave in? How can I avoid disruption if I’m in France? And should I cancel my upcoming holiday in France?Those are just some of the many questions we will try and answer during this week’s episode.Articles for further reading: Calendar: The French pension strike dates to remember10 apps to make your life easier during a French strikeTrains, planes, theatres and schools: The services hit by Thursday's strike in FranceOPINION: Only the power of the street can stop French pension reform Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 Tammi 202330min

It’s the start of a new year, there’s a lot going on in France to catch up with so we have a jam-packed episode featuring the president Emmanuel Macron finally opening up about his love life, a look ahead to the ski season in the Alps - will there be any snow to ski on and why folk in south west France will be paying more property taxes.And the battle lines have been drawn between the French government and the unions over pension reform which means, strikes. Of course. We have all the latest. We also look at the danger of more violence from far right extremists in France and what changes for drivers in the country in 2023.And stay tuned to the end to find out some handy tips for living in France.I’m joined as usual by Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield at our office in Paris and our politics expert John Lichfield up in Normandy.The following articles cover the subjects discussed in the episode.France's January pension strikes - what services will be affected?'When you're in love you cannot choose': Macron opens up about falling for BrigitteThe law changes drivers in France need to know about in 2023What can I do if I've booked a French skiing holiday and there's no snow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Tammi 202334min

This episode of Talking France is dedicated to looking ahead and what’s in store for France and everyone living here in 2023.Will there be surprise elections, will there be street protests? There will certainly be price rises and we’ll explain just exactly what will cost you more in France in 2023. And perhaps what could cost less - including property.There will also be big changes for travel, especially for non-EU arrivals in France and we’ll find out whether 2023 will be a good year for public holidays.And next year will also offer up some things to look forward to in France, including the Rugby World Cup.Articles to read:What changes about life in France in 2023Where are French property prices are set to fall in 2023?What foreigners in France need to know about border system changes for travellersFood, fuel and transport: What prices will rise in France in 2023? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Joulu 202218min