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

France's controversial immigration bill has passed through parliament. It's been hailed as a victory for the ideas of the far right but just how bad is it for immigrants in France? We also look at whether France can still call itself a "Catholic" country and where in the country public transport is free and why.Podcast listeners can become members of The Local for just €1 for the first month by clicking here.-------After Emmanuel Macron was elected president of France he vowed to battle against the ideas of the far right but after his government's controversial immigration bill passed through parliament this week Marine Le Pen has been claiming victory. So what's in this final bill that's causing such an uproar and is it really a big win for Le Pen? Away from French politics we explore just how Catholic France is, why some groups have even been banned and why certain Catholics say they are treated as second class citizens.And for anyone who thinks the French are not funny we have a list of some must-watch hilarious French films for you, we look at the list of French towns where you can travel for free on transport and find out what you have to do to be made a knight in France.Host Ben McPartland is joined this week to help shed light on all these subjects will be The Local France's Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Further reading:Is France's immigration bill really a victory for far-right ideology?OPINION: Macronism has not failed but the toughest test is still to comeFrench language tests for residency permits: What the new law saysThink the French aren't funny Try these hilarious films5 things to know about France's Legion d'Honneur Where in France can you travel on public transport for free? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Dec 202331min

On this week’s episode of Talking France we look what happens next France’s latest political crisis, we explain the downfall of France’s most famous actor and also find out whether French schools could soon introduce compulsory uniforms.We'll explain the huge increase in the number of solar farms in France and look at whether it's gone down well in rural France.We also have explanation for how we can tell the thousands of elected politicians in France apart. It’s something to do with what they wear and how they wear it.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield as well as our politics expert John Lichfield.Further reading:OPINION: The French people are greater losers tan Macron in immigration battle'Fall of the Ogre': Depardieu sparks #MeToo moment in French cinemaHow to tell French politicians apart by their sashes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Dec 202326min

On this week's episode we explore whether Paris is a safe city to visit right now, what exactly are France's notorious banlieues and whether they deserve their bad reputation and we'll also look at some of the biggest cliches about the French to see whether there's any truth in them. Are the women all skinny and the men all adulterers?We’ve got the lowdown on France’s latest cheese battle, and if you are spending Christmas or New Year in France we'll explore how the French do the festive season.Ben McPartland your host is joined by the team at The Local, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Further reading:Is Paris a safe city to visit?French cheesemakers win battle against EU over Camembert boxesWhy do French women suffer from 'heavy legs'?Do the French still eat frogs legs?Do the French do Christmas better than anglo countries?Busting the biggest cliches about the French and do France's banlieues deserve the bad reputation?How safe is Paris to visit and busting the biggest cliches about the FrenchWhat cliches about the French are true and are France's banlieues all that bad? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Dec 202338min

Just how concerned should we be in France over a spike in far right violence after the murder of a young man in a rural village? What are the new international flight and train routes opening in France next year and just how did the French end up with their crazy number system. Should they change it to help us language learners?These are just three of the many questions we will try to answer in this new episode of Talking France.-----Talking France is a podcast produced by The Local and funded by our members.If you want to put a question to our team, Emma, Gen and John will be glad to answer. Just tell us in this questionnaire and share any other feed back you have.Further reading:How did the French end up with their crazy numbers?New flight routes to France in 2024France to ban smoking on beaches in new anti-tobacco plan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Nov 202336min

Could we soon see the end of flight cancellations, delays and general travel misery caused by striking French air traffic controllers? Where is this region region in France where the soil is saturated with gems and why don't the French like to talk about money?If you want to know the answers to these questions and find out why the French won't let MEPs leave Strasbourg and learn about the regional stereotypes in France then stay tuned to this latest episode of Talking France, brought to you by The Local.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the editorial team in Paris, Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield and our politics expert John Lichfield will join us on the line from Normandy.Please take a minute to fill out our feedback survey and pose a question about France to the team that we will try and answer in a bonus episode. Further reading:French farmer sued after digging for sapphires in Auvergne soilAre money and sex really taboo subjects in France?What is France's new law to limit air traffic control strikes and will it work?Is there any truth to France's regional stereotypes? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Nov 202336min

This week our team will bring you up to date on that latest on some important changes to immigration rules in France, including one for British second home owners and look at whether they will actually come into law. Plus we'll look at myths around Napoleon ahead of the new blockbuster film, explain the importance of French patisseries and find out where in France you will live the longest. Plus we need you to fill in this questionnaire about Talking France!----Welcome to a new episode of Talking France.In this week's show we will take a look at how French senators have hijacked France's controversial immigration bill including a move to help out British second home owners and toughen up the rules about bringing family members to France.But will there be anything left of their meddling once this bill becomes law? We will also find out in which part of France you can expect to live the longest. You will likely be surprised by the answer, but we'll explain the reasons why.And you might have noticed we love talking about French food on this podcast, this week we'll hear why French patisserie makers are held in such high regard here - and even have their own patron saint. We'll also find out how life in France will be getting more expensive next year and with a new blockbuster film coming out about French Emperor Napoleon, we'll bust a few myths about the little man, such as, was he actually little?Host Ben McPartland is joined once again to talk about France is the team from The Local, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.We also just have a special request for listeners. We want to produce a special episode based wholly on your questions about France, French culture and life in the country. You can send us your questions and any other suggestions via this survey here. We'd be really grateful if you could take a minute to fill it in.Further reading:What's in the French Senate's immigration bill - and does it matter?How much more expensive will life in France be in 2024?MAP - Where in France do people have the longest life expectancy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Nov 202336min

In this week's new episode we examine why the French can't bear spicy food and take a look at just how elitist the country is especially when it comes to its schools and universities. And for second home owners and regular visitors we take a look at what might happen if you don't respect that pesky 90-day rule and stay too long in France. Could you banned from the EU? Plus much much more for anyone interested in France.See below for related articles.-------Hello and welcome to a new series of Talking France.Hi to all our regular listeners thanks for joining us again and a big welcome to anyone listening for the first time. Talking France is a podcast produced by the team at The Local France and made possible by our members so thanks to all those listeners who have joined.If you want to understand the big issues in France right now and learn more about the French way of life and the challenges foreign residents like us face then you are listening to the right podcast.This week we'll look at why French spelling and grammar has become a divisive issue, why France is surprisingly elitist - especially when it comes to its schools and universities and which part of France is hoping to host the winter olympics in 2030 - if we still have winters in 2030.We will also try to understand whether there's any truth to claim that the French hate spicy food and try to explain why that might be.And finally a crucial subject for second home owners and tourists. We'll explain how France enforces the 90 day rule and what the consequences are if you stay too long in the country.Ben McPartland, your host and joining me once again at our office in Paris is The Local France's dynamic duo Editor Emma Person and journalist Gen Mansfield, plus we'll hear more insight from our politics expert John Lichfield who'll join us from Normandy.Further reading:Making French fully inclusive is a grammatical and political nightmareFive things to know about France's 2030 Winter Olympics bidDo the French really hate all spicy food?How seriously does France enforce the 90-day rule? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Nov 202333min

Given the number of bomb alerts at French airports and tourist sites is it wise to travel to the country right now? And whilst many dream of retiring to France how easy it to actually do it, both practically and emotionally? We examine these questions and more in the new episode of Talking France. Article links below.----------Welcome to a new episode of Talking France, a podcast by The Local.In this week’s episode we will do, as our name promises, and talk about France. In roughly 30 minutes we’ll bring up to date with the main news stories and try to answer some of the big issues and questions our listeners have about the country.To start with, is it wise to come to France right now, given there have been numerous bomb alerts at airports and evacuations at tourist sites.We’ll tell you about a new museum of the French language that’s opened in a place in northern France I’ve never heard of.We’ll also examine whether one French senator’s plan to make the lives of second home owners in the country easier could really work and explain just how easy - or difficult it is - for people to retire in France these days.And finally can you really be deported for joining a protest in France?To answer all these questions host Ben McPartland will call on the help of two very special individuals, The Local’s Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield.Further reading:Terror alerts: Should I be worried about travel to FranceDozens of French airports evacuated after bomb threatsMuseum of French language to open in northern FranceCould France bring in a special visa for second home owners?Is France a good country to retire to?How do the French celebrate Halloween? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 Okt 202328min