Is France facing a summer of riots and how water shortages could impact your French holiday?
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chief editor at a Sunday newspaper has caused uproar and try to explain Emmanuel Macron’s new and rather peculiar, even outdated, drugs policy.Plus will the ongoing drought and subsequent water restrictions in place across much of the country affect your summer holiday in France?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 Juni 202338min
The challenges of life in the French countryside and why France is the best place to get naked
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 Juni 202335min
How bad will water shortages in France be this summer and why are the French so philosophical?
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 Juni 202333min
Will summer in France be strike free and are there really loopholes in the 90-day rule?
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 Juni 202337min
The rising costs of second homes in France and how Franco-Irish links have strengthened since Brexit
France is home to the most second homes in Europe but why are they increasingly subject to extra costs, particularly in certain parts of the country and find out how France and Ireland have boosted trade and travel links since Britain left the EU. And why are Champagne industry lawyers taking on an American beer?We are already into the month of June in France. How time flies or Comme le temps passe vite as they say in French.In this week's episode we find out why thousands of cans of American beer were destroyed on the orders of France's champagne industry and also what a spat between the French president and prime minister says about the threat of the far right taking power in France.We also hear about new travel links between France and Ireland, new train options between France and Germany and indeed new rail services around France that will interest travellers.And France counts the most second homes in all of Europe but it's not always straightforward buying and owning a residence secondaire in France and they come with extra costs and taxes particularly in certain parts of the country. We explain all.We'll also look at the question of whether you need to carry ID in France at all times and a new government plan to merge the carte vitale health card with French ID cards - for those that have them at least.Ben McPartland your host, is joined as usual by editor of The Local France Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 Juni 202337min
Border queues, immigration row and how French cities are pushing out cars
Can France solve the problem of queues at border control before the summer, what's in the new immigration bill that has caused a new political rumpus and why French cities are pushing out the car but it remains untouchable in rural France.Hello and thanks for tuning in to a new episode of Talking France. Over the next 30 minutes we will bring you up to date on the most important stories from France this week. We’ll also talk about cows and pheasants.In this episode we find out more about recent long queues at France's border control and whether this a sign of what's in store for travellers this summer?And after pensions reform there is a new political crisis brewing for Emmanuel Macron and his government - this time it’s over sensitive immigration reforms, which include imposing French language tests for certain residents permits. We find out more about what's happening.We bring you new details of the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics next year which promises to be extravagant, unprecedented, indeed the most audacious in history. Can France pull it off? And can you get tickets without having to spend hundreds if not thousands of euros? And we hear about the ambitious steps taken by some French cities to cut out cars but also why French governments are keen to avoid annoying motorists in rural France.Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's editor Emma Pearson and our French politics expert John Lichfield.Articles we mention in podcast:Language tests and easier expulsion: The latest on France's new immigration billWhy does France give a gift of three cows to Spain each yearWhat we know so far about the audacious Paris Olympics opening ceremonyShortage of French border agents leads to long queues at Paris CDG airport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 Maj 202338min
French driving laws explained and has Macron made France more attractive?
The French are the second worst drivers in Europe according to a new survey, but there are many rules of the road that need to be observed. Some are more complicated than others for foreign drivers. And France has become far more attractive for foreign businesses in recent years, but is it all down to President Emmanuel Macron?Welcome to a new episode of Talking France in which our team of journalists and experts at The Local talk about France.In this latest episode we will find out who in France could be in store for surprise tax cuts.We will also explain some of the driving laws in France you might not know about or even understand and are French drivers the worst in Europe?We know France is a beautiful place to visit but why has it become such an attractive place to invest in and start a business. We’ll explore what’s changed about the country in recent years.OPINION: Macron has made a start but France's 're-industrialisation' must move fasterAnd all eyes are on the French Riviera for the glamorous Cannes film festival but we’ll discuss another, more murkier side to the côte d’Azur.And if you are thinking of putting your home up for rent on Airbnb you better know the rules in France. We’ll shed light on what you need to know.And if you looking for some great events around France this summer we have a couple to recommend. And you can get a full list in the article below.READ ALSO: 26 festivals and events to enjoy in France this summerHost Ben McPartland will be joined by our in house French intellectuals and philosophers, Emma Pearson - the editor and John Lichfield our politics expert. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
17 Maj 202335min
The myth about France's 'lazy' workers and Ryanair takes on French air traffic controllers
Is there any truth to the cliché that France's workers are lazy and could Ryanair and Easyjet limit French air traffic control strikes? These are just two of the topics we will tackle in the first episode of a new series of Talking France. Please take a minute to leave a review.This week we'll find out why frustrated budget airlines like Ryanair are trying to force a change to limit French air traffic control strikes and what you should know if you want to book a tour around one of the country's famous vineyards.Further reading:Cancellations and compensation: How French strikes affect European flights9 tips for enjoying a French vineyard tour (and wine tasting)We'll also learn whether there's any truth to the cliché that French workers are lazy, unproductive strikers, who are always on holiday.We'll tell you the incredible story of a famous French resistance leader and how he and his fellow fighters are viewed both in France and abroad.And we'll explain why it's not just the French flag you'll see flying in the streets around France.Further reading:France debates making EU flag compulsory on public buildingsAnd if you like Eurovision then you'll be interested to hear about whether the French do.Further reading:‘Edith Piaf meets electro’ – 5 things to know about France’s 2023 Eurovision entryHost Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and French politics expert John Lichfield.Welcome back to all of our regular listeners around France and indeed around the world, we know many of you tune in from far off lands. And a big welcome to any new listeners to Talking France - Our job is to bring you up to date with all the big talking points and cultural questions from France each week and it's thanks to members of The Local we are able to do it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11 Maj 202337min
