Talking France

In this week's show we'll explain the French government's "desperate" measure aimed at bringing down fuel prices, we'll hear about a tragic hunting accident in France and new efforts to crackdown on drunk hunters and we'll reveal just how seriously the French take the subject of health.-----Over the next 30 mins or so we bring you up to date with some of the big issues in France right now and look at how aspects of this country work.Starting with fuel. Filling up your car has become so expensive in France that the government has had to take action. We'll find out what it's done as well as look at what else it has planned for this year's budget.And we'll bring you news of a new Unesco World Heritage site in France and look at some of the others you might not have heard of but really should visit. We'll also explain the upcoming French Senate elections - why they are so important and why ordinary folk can't vote.We will hear about a new attempted crackdown on drunk hunters and also hear about the tragic story of a woman whose French partner was accidentally shot dead by a hunter in rural France just days after she had given birth to their son.And we’ll also explain why you need a signed medical certificate from a doctor to enter a fun run in France.Stay with us to the very end to learn some handy short-cuts for speaking French.Host Ben McPartland is joined this week by the holy trinity of Emma Pearson The Local France's editor, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Further reading:Five UNESCO World Heritage sites in France you need to visitFrench fuel retailers refuse government plan to sell at a lossOPINION: France's desperate fuel price plan is a sign of tough budget choices aheadThe French abbreviations you need to blend inWhy you need a medical certificate to play sport in France Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Sep 202335min

In this week's show we explain why the next big French political flare up looks set to be over immigration rules. We look at how France's planned discount rail ticket will work and examine the system that allows you to buy a property in France cheaper than market value - if you are prepared to wait. ------We’ve got a strong line up of subjects this week. starting with France’s planned changes to immigration laws. They’ve been on the table a long while, but the plans look likely to cause the next big political flare up in France. We’ll explain all.Now you might know the French name Bernard Tapie but do you know his story? We’ll explain why he’s the subject of a new Netflix series.And ski resorts are closing for good in the Alps and France’s mountain refuges for hikers are also threatened by the warming planet. If you are a fan of Alpine winter or summer holidays then we’ll tell you exactly how you might be affected.France has announced exciting plans to follow Germany by introducing its own nationwide bargain transport pass. We’ll find out the details and hear from our colleague over the border in Germany about how the pass has worked there. We’ll also look at a system that allows you to get a property in France cheaper than market value although there is a downside - you have no idea when you can move in.And stay to the end for our French expression of the week - where we’ll tell you how to complain like the locals.Host Ben McPartland is joined by Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and our politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Sep 202338min

French property tax bills have begun to arrive and many property-owners are seeing a steep increase in the fees. We'll explain why and what it means for homeowners. Plus we will take a look at what this year's "rentrée" will mean for France.---Thanks for joining us for what is the first episode of the autumn, although it feels like the middle of summer in France this week given the scorching temperatures in much of the country.We are all refreshed, rested and slightly sunburned and eager to get going again discussing the big talking points in France as well as decoding some of the important cultural and practical questions around life in the country.There is of course lots to talk about in France now that everyone is back to work, including the country’s politicians, who are already involved in an almighty row about clothes. We’ll start the show this week by looking at what La Rentrée means in France this year. We’ll also explain why property taxes have shot up in France and what that means for homeowners. And the Rugby World Cup kicks off in France on Friday. We’ll get the lowdown on what is a huge event taking place across the country.And we’ll also have news about a well known French film star, who has been in the headlines this week.And stay tuned to the end to find out why the French spend so much time eating and drinking.Host Ben McPartland will be joined once again for this new series by The Local France’s Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield as well as French politics expert John Lichfield.Articles related to subjects discussed in the podcast:New French property tax bills reveal 'biggest increase in 30 years'OPINION: France's abaya ban cannot be a veil to hide real inequality in schoolsWhy the French spend twice as long eating as Americans Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Sep 202335min

The violence, looting and arson seen across France in recent nights may have subsided for now but can President Emmanuel Macron and his government heal the scars that have been left in a divided country?John Lichfield and the team at The Local France look at the damage that has been caused after a week of rioting and whether there is any chance of real reform in a country where change is often hard to come by.-----------Welcome to a new episode of Talking France. It’s our final episode of this current series and it’s probably one of the most important we’ve recorded given what’s been happening over the last week across France.In this episode we will obviously be focussing our attention on the social unrest that has followed the police shooting of a teenage driver near Paris last week.Our politics expert John Lichfield will have plenty to say to help explain the rioting, looting of stores, arson attacks on schools and town halls and the frequently violent clashes between youths and French police that have taken place over recent nights across the country. He’ll also look at whether the chaos and disorder will bring about any real change in France.Our team at The Local, Editor Pearson Emma and Gen Mansfield will explain the extent and cost of the destruction as well as look ahead to what might happen next and give some advice for tourists planning on visiting France.And away from the riots they’ll also look into the near future and explain what we can expect in France this summer from drought to traffic jams and from heatwaves to strikes.And we’ll also examine what foreign parents living in France should expect if they put their non-French speaking children in local schools.Thanks to all our listeners for tuning in once again. We hope you’ll find the next 30 minutes or so both interesting and informative.Further reading:OPINION: €1.3 million fund for accused police officer reveals deep divides in FranceRiots could become France's most dangerous crisis in decadesBeat the crowds: 19 alternative places in France to visit this summerMAP: Where in France are water restrictions in place?Parents reveal: What to expect when your non-French speaking child starts school in FranceFor these links for all the latest on the riots in France and all the latest on any strikes in France this summer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Jul 202332min

France is in shock this week and riots have broken out in the suburbs of Paris after the deadly shooting of a teenager by a police officer at close range during a routine traffic stop. Are we set for a repeat of the 2005 violence that spread across the country and lasted for weeks? And much of France is on alert for drought so could water shortages across the country hit your summer holiday plans?----- Welcome to a new episode of Talking France, our penultimate episode before we take a summer break.If you stay with us for the next 30 minutes or so we’ll update you on some of the big talking points in France such as... whether France is facing another nationwide outbreak of rioting as anger grows after French police shot and killed a 17-year-old boy during a traffic stop.We’ll also explain how a controversial choice of chief editor at a Sunday newspaper has caused uproar and try to explain Emmanuel Macron’s new and rather peculiar, even outdated, drugs policy.Plus will the ongoing drought and subsequent water restrictions in place across much of the country affect your summer holiday in France? We’ll explain what you need to know if you are heading on holiday in France over the next few weeks.We’ll also try to explain France’s complicated alcohol rules that means there will be no beer or champagne available in Paris Olympics venues (unless you’re in the posh seats).And we’ll also reveal where the best places in France are, well, at least according to those organising the route for the Olympics torch.Host Ben McPartland is joined by Editor Emma Pearson and journalist Gen Mansfield and joining us as usual from his bastion up in Normandy will be politics and basically all-round expert John Lichfield.Further reading:OPINION: Paris riots could spiral into nationwide violence as seen in 2005MAP: Where will the Olympic torch visit on its journey through France?How could drought and water restrictions impact my French holiday? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Jun 202338min

Is life in rural France really that difficult? There are definite challenges and the French government has announced a new plan to rejuvenate countryside villages. Also this week we explain why France is the number one country for getting naked, French département numbers and look at why the government is concerned about having too many tourists. ------Welcome back to all our regular listeners. Thanks to those of you who have sent us tweets or emails with feedback, comments and ideas. It’s great to hear from you. And thanks also to those who have taken the time to leave a rating for the podcast. It really does help to spread the word about Talking France.And to our new listeners, well we hope you find the episode informative and perhaps even entertaining. This week we look at rural France. Is it neglected by Paris? Is life there really that tough? The French government has a new plan to rejuvenate la France profonde and we find out all about it.Are there too many tourists in France? The government appears to be a little concerned about certain sites and has a new plan to encourage visitors to go off the beaten track. We explain all and give you a few ideas for alternatives to the hot spots such as the Eiffel Tower or Versailles.And on the subject of famous sites we’ll find out about the latest person to be inducted into the Pantheon in Paris. And what exactly is the Pantheon anyway? We explain all.And we also try to understand why people in France, including foreigners, use numbers to talk about the departement they live in.We also reveal all about France’s thriving nudist community and get to the bottom of when and where you can get naked in France.Ben McPartland your host is joined by The Local France’s editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Further reading:The biggest challenges of living in rural FranceOPINION: Does rural France really need 'saving'?Bare necessities: The rules for getting naked in FranceBeat the crowds: 19 alternative places to visit in France Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Jun 202335min

France is facing another summer of drought and water shortages but how bad will the situation get and where in the country is worst affected? Plus John Lichfield explains why France needs to avoid falling into the same trap as the UK did with Brexit and why is France so attached to philosophy?---Thanks for tuning into a new episode of Talking France, a podcast for anyone who has an interest in France and wants to keep up to date with what’s going on here.As always, in this week’s show we’ll examine the important news and issues from around France.First up we find out how ancient stones in Brittany ended up being bulldozed to make way for a DIY store. How can that happen?We look at what impact the Annecy knife attack has had on politics in France and also for the town itself, where thousands of tourists will descend this summer.And we find out why the French government is having to give out advice about taking a shower and look at how bad the droughts and heatwaves could be in France this summer.And there’s a new row about an item of clothing being worn in French schools, we’ll explain all as well as take a look at the story of the man at the centre of it.And on the subject of French schools, we find out why is the study of philosophy is compulsory for high school students?Host Ben McPartland is joined by our regular guests Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Further reading:OPINION: France should heed warning from UK in letting extremists control asylum debateWhy Philosophy is compulsory in French high schoolsPre-historic stones destroyed in Brittany to make way for DIY storeHosepipe bans, pools and 4-minute showers - your questions answered on France's drought restrictionsMAP - Where in France is under water restrictions in June 2023? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Jun 202333min

Have pension strikes in France have finally run out of steam and after months of unrest and political wrangling were there any real winners and losers?Mont St Michel, one of France's most spectacular landmarks celebrated becoming 1,000 years old this week. Huge efforts have been made in recent years to restore the site to its original maritime character but we'll ask whether the tourist influx means Mont st Michel is now best avoided.And the EU's 90-day rule is the subject of a lot of misinformation in certain parts of the press, so we'll clear a few things up and find out whether it really is possible for non-EU travellers to cheat the system and stay in France for as long as they want.We'll also discuss why France doesn't do air conditioning and why some mayors are hiking the price of your water bills.And if all that's not enough for you we'll have some tips to enjoy a French summer.Ben McPartland your host is joined this week by the talkative trio the Local France’s Editor, Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Further reading:Mythbuster: Can you really cheat the Schengen 90-day rule?Five things everyone should know about Mont Saint MichelSo who won the great French pension reform battle?The rules for installing air conditioning in your French home Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Jun 202337min