What's in store for France in 2023 from travel rules to political flare-ups

We start off this week by jumping straight into the increasingly choppy waters of international relations and examine whether France has a strong enough military to help bring peace to Europe and whether Emmanuel Macron has any influence at all over Donald Trump.We also explain how the UK's new travel authorisation scheme could affect you and your family in France and explain why a 102-year-old Frenchman named Albert is suing the government.We also look at why France hasn't quite experienced the anti-tourism backlash as seen in neighbouring Spain and try to decipher the laws around the hijab as French senators propose another tightening of restrictions around the garment.Host Ben McPartland and I'll be joined for this new series of Talking France by the team at The Local: Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Extra reading:EXPLAINED: Does France really have a hijab ban?OPINION: France and the UK may be willing to send troops to Ukraine, but do they have the military strength?Will I need an ETA visa for my French spouse or children?The French cities cracking down on Airbnb with key box bansFrenchman, 102, sues government over WWII forced labour in GermanyWhy is mass tourism such a problem in Spain but not in France? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Mars 37min

On the menu for this week we'll start off by talking about France's new highly intelligent cat, which Emmanual Macron is hoping will rule the world. Don't worry, we'll explain what I'm on about shortly.We'll also delve into France's new budget and explain how listeners will be impacted by some of the measures, including why you'll have to pay more for flights in France in the future.You've all heard of the medieval citadel of Carcassonne but there are some other, less well-known castles in south west France that are also vying for global attention, as we'll explore.And France's Prime Minister has said he wants to open a discussion about what it means to be French, so we're going to do exactly that.And finally stay listening until the end to find out what you really shouldn't do on a train in France if you don't want to make international news and more importantly be hit by a steep fine.Host Ben McPartland will be joined by The Local's editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Extra reading:French train passenger fined €150 for using phone on speaker8 must-visit castles in south-west France (you've probably never heard of)OPINION: AI is unstoppable, so I'd rather it was French than American or ChineseHow France's new eco tax will affect the cost of plane ticketsFrance's PM calls for debate on 'what it means to be French' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Feb 33min

On the bill this week, we get the latest on the forecast for how long the French PM will last as he tries to navigate the government through evermore turbulent waters.And speaking of water we'll also hear about a potentially huge scandal involving French eau mineral - or mineral water. We'll look at potential problems for the thousands of skiers heading to the FRench Alps this February including: ginormous boulders rolling off the mountainside.And we'll try to solve the age old riddle for French language learners which is whether to use "tu" or "vous". I promise I think we've cracked it.And it's five years since Brexit but that doesn't mean everything is settled for Brits in France. We'll look ahead to some potential headaches and hurdles in 2025.Host Ben McPartland is joined by esteemed regular guests this week: Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.Extra reading:OPINION: France's crafty PM may just pull off a Columbo-style surpriseWhat to know if you are going skiing in the French Alps this FebruaryHow to check the water quality in your French communeFrance allowed Nestlé to use banned filter for bottled waterWhat are the rules on using 'tu' and 'vous' in modern France?It's five years since Brexit but problems lie ahead for Brits in Europe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Feb 36min

This week we'll examine the French President's planned multi-million euro revamp of the world famous Louvre gallery in Paris and also… why is Emmanuel Macron even getting involved in museum refurbishments anyway?We'll also discuss the end of the internet in France, well not quite, but there are major changes afoot that listeners should be aware of.And we'll explore France's love-hate relationship with mega cruise ships. They love building them but do French cities still love welcoming them and their thousands of passengers? Resistance appears to be growing against the so-called floating cities.We'll also find out a strange quirk of French law that could see you in hot water at French motorway toll booths and answer the key question of who decides whether French words are masculine or feminine.Host Ben McPartland is joined by three people worthy of having their portraits hung in the Louvre: Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.Extra reading:France to raise price of Louvre tickets for non-EU visitorsExplained: Will other French museums follow the Louvre in charging more to non-EU visitors?Is France moving towards a ban on cruise ships?Calendar: France begins work to disconnect ADSL internet cablesMacron responds to French driver fined for using phone to pay at tollboothFrench grammar tips: Guessing the gender of nouns Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Jan 36min

Donald Trump is back and his mate Elon Musk is doing a lot of talking and gesticulating, but the pair have been fairly quiet about France... so far. We'll examine whether Emmanual Macron has managed to befriend and becalm them or if Trump and co will "crush" France and Europe as the French PM has warned.On a slightly less worrying subject we'll explain France's new census that's taking place around the country and why one particular question has caused a rumpus.And we'll look at a new French law and how it benefits workers in the country, but perhaps not business owners… and find out why France is one of the few countries in the world where cinema numbers are going up and not down.And we have an important update on the key subject of language tests for citizenship and residency permits that will interest many listeners.Host Ben McPartland is joined for this week's episode by three of The Local's most astute brainiacs Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.Extra reading: Latest: French interior ministry clarifies new language test rules for foreigners in FranceFrance's 2025 census - who will be counted and when?New profit-sharing rules take effect for small businesses in FranceFrance's cinemas show the way in post-Covid recoveryRead more from John Lichfield Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Jan 32min

This week we'll find out why pensioners are to blame for all of France's problems, well not quite, but they are perhaps to blame for all the new prime minister's troubles. We'll also examine some major travel changes for south west France at a time that could spell both bad and good news for residents there.We'll get to the bottom of a new driving law in France that's finally come into force this week and look at whether days are numbered for France's tourist information centres as the last one in Paris shuts up shop.We'll also explain why your carte vitale health card might have stopped working and what you can do about it if it does get refused.Ben McPartland your host is joined on the Talking France dance floor this week by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and French politics expert John Lichfield. Extra reading:15 reasons Clermont-Ferrand is the best place in FranceFrance legalises motorbikes and scooters weaving through trafficEasyJet confirms Toulouse base closure as half of summer flights cancelledThe alternative travel options to get to south-west FranceTen reasons to visit France's Auvergne area7 reasons to visit France's 'top city of 2025'What you can do if your French 'carte vitale' stops workingRead more from John Lichfield Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Jan 28min

This week we bring you all the latest on some big changes in France for drivers and look at where in the country you’ll wait the longest for a response from your prefecture. We will of course bring you the latest on the plight of France’s latest government and remind you who the PM is these days.We also explain the 12 Gallic complaints you’ll need to get through the year in France.And it’s 10 years since the Charlie Hebdo and HyperCacher supermarket terror attack in Paris. We’ll look at what happened next to the Charlie Hebdo magazine and explain a bit about France’s thirst for satire.Host Ben McPartland is joined once again by editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and French politics expert John Lichfield.Extra reading:OPINION: Pensioners, not immigrants, are wrecking FranceOPINION: Sadly, the new year in France won't bring an end to 'la zizanie'MAP: The French cities with Crit'Air low emission zones in 2025Revealed: The waiting times at French préfecturesPodcast: How did Jean-Marie Le Pen change France? (from April 2024)Quiz: Can you decipher all 12 of these French complaints? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Jan 41min

This special episode is dedicated entirely to looking ahead so you know a little about what to expect in France in 2025.We'll try and answer some of the big questions about what lies ahead. Such as... How many Prime Ministers will France have in 2025? More or less than the 4 it had in 2024? We'll also look at whether there will be more elections this year and more protests and political crises.We'll look ahead to some big travel changes in Paris, in France and indeed in Europe.And just as Notre Dame reopens another huge Paris tourist attraction is set to close!Stay with us and you'll be well prepared for 2025 in France.Host Ben McPartland is joined underneath mistletoe by our team from The Local France Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield. To catch up with everything happening in France in 2025 you'll find all our articles under the topic France in 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 Dec 202427min