Fast food slowly kills French restaurants and Pétain provokes new rumble in France

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Talking France.If this is your first time listening to Talking France you should check out our regular weekly podcast which looks at a wide range of news, talking points and cultural questions from France. You listen to all our episodes here.For this bonus episode we are sticking to one subject focussing on the political crisis and protests against pension reform that have gripped the country in recent weeks.Regular listeners to Talking France will be familiar with the voice and views of our French politics expert John Lichfield, who has reported on the country for over 25 years.John's been keeping a close eye on the ongoing turmoil in France so for this bonus episode I asked him to delve a little deeper to help us understand just what's going on and what might happen next.Why has France become so angry, why have protests turned violent, is this different to previous movements, why are protesters talking about May 1968 and how and when will things calm down? These are just some of the questions I put to John. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Huhti 202318min

Welcome to a new episode of Talking France, a podcast produced by The Local, made possible by our members. If you like the podcast please take a moment to leave a review on the platform where you listen to it, such as Apple podcasts or send us your views via our podcast survey HERE.France is still mired in crisis and this week we focus on why the mood in the country has become so angry.We also look at why pension reform protests have turned violent and who are these black clad protesters waving umbrellas who seem to be behind much of the trouble once again.And we also look at why water supply to agriculture resulted in an almighty battle between demonstrators and gendarmes in western France at the weekend which saw police riot vans go up in flames and two protesters left fighting for their lives.Away from protests that are gripping France we look at just how good a country France is to live in, if you're a woman. From maternity leave to wages, is there really égalité in France?And we find out why France loves an April fish and hear some tips to help foreigners settle in the country.Host Ben McPartland is joined by joined by our resident talking brains The Local France's Editor Emma Person, journalist Gen Mansfield and French politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Maalis 202336min

Welcome to a new episode of Talking France, a podcast by The Local, for anyone interested in what’s going on in France.And right now there’s a lot going on in France.For example, an almighty political crisis over President Emmanuel Macron’s contentious move to raise the pension age from 62 to 64.We have all the latest on how the battle is playing out, including on the streets where hundreds of protests, some violent, have taken place in recent days. We look at what’s going to happen next and what it all means for the king of France himself, sorry the president of France Emmanuel Macron. He gave his first real interview on pensions reform this week.We also try to answer a question many readers are asking right now: Do I need to cancel my trip to France because of the crisis?And away from strikes and protests, we also look at what a new survey revealed about why foreign residents find France a difficult country to get settled in. What’s harder to master, the language or the paperwork?Paris Olympics organisers are looking for tens of thousands of volunteers for the 2024 games - we explain how you could qualify.And finally stay tuned to the end to find out some useful tips for how you can avoid offending French people.Host Ben McPartland, will be joined this week by The Local France’s editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and the man who can decode French politics for us John Lichfield.For all articles visit: www.thelocal.fr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Maalis 202333min

There is always a lot to talk about in France and this week’s episode is brimming with important issues and changes that listeners will be keen to know about.As rubbish piles up on the streets of Paris the controversial pension reform bill reaches a crucial moment in the French parliament. Will Macon get enough votes to get it through?The French tax man is famously demanding but perhaps not as mean spirited as people might think. We look at how taxes are rising for those owning property in the country and how you can get help with understanding your bills.We also hear why one famous French town is handing out live chickens to residents, whether people in Paris really will be able to take a swim in the Seine River in the coming years and clear up confusion many have over France’s laws around the hijab headscarf. How many people in the world speak French, where are they all, and what on earth is this backwards French lingo known as "verlan"? We explain all as we mark International Day of the Francophone world.Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France’s editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Maalis 202337min

Talking France is back this week with more analysis on the big news stories in France as well as insights into French culture.To start us off we look at the state of play with the ongoing French pension strikes and whether they could yet bring France to a stand still.We look into the controversy surrounding Paris 2024 Olympics tickets and why it’s only March but we are already talking about water restrictions and drought in France.And looking ahead to the summer we hear which of the islands off France’s western coast is the best to visit this year and find out why parents in the country might have to give up posting pictures of their kids on Facebook.And we all know the French love food but what times of the day do they actually eat?And if you want tips on the best French TV series to watch, then stay tuned until the end.Host Ben McPartland and I’ll be joined by The Local France’s Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and our politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Maalis 202333min

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