French political crisis deepens and what's so difficult about settling in France?
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 Mar 202333min
Property tax hikes, swimming in the Seine and just how important is the French language?
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 Mar 202337min
Pension battle set for climax, why the French appreciate privacy and three islands to visit this summer
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 Mar 202333min
What's wrong with the famed French health service and is France losing its taste for wine?
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 Feb 202335min
Why so many Parisians are quitting Paris and how easy is it to become French?
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 Feb 202336min
Are the French 'ungrateful teenagers', crunch time for strikes and France's beauty spots to avoid?
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 Feb 202330min
Pension strikes to intensify, Vendée rebels and the myth of the 'sexy French'
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 Feb 202329min
France’s ‘alarming’ sexism problem, property taxes and what’s next for pension strikes?
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 Jan 202328min
