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

Is there a whiff of revolution in the air in France after months of protests and strikes and how does living in the country change your habits?This week we have another jam-packed show and we starting by finding out what our team thinks will happen next after months of protests and strikes in France. Could the revolt change France?Is Macron a lame duck, are the strikes over and are we heading for a 6th Republic? And what does that even mean?You can John Lichfield's latest column here:OPINION: Revolution is in the air in France and 'paternalistic' Macron cannot calm itWe also discuss the one thing you need to check before you move to rural France and look at the ways living in France will change your habits and lifestyle - from the food you eat to the way you dress and perhaps even the way you drive.And if you like music we hear about the tradition of ‘chanson francaise' and what the French refer to as "yé yé" music.And if you'd like to listen to some "chansons francaises" you can check out The Local's playlist on Spotify at this link.We also lay out what you really need to know before you move to Paris - to avoid "la belle vie" becoming a nightmare - as happened to one American couple recently.Host Ben McPartland and I’ll be joined by The Local France’s Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and French political columnist John Lichfield.Please note that this is the last episode in the current series, but thanks to a growing number of listeners, especially those who have shown their appreciation by becoming a member, we should be back in a couple of weeks with more info, insight and discussions on the big issues in France.If you enjoy Talking France we appreciate it if you take time to leave a review on the platform where you listen to the podcast. We area also always grateful for feedback so please email news@thelocal.fr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Apr 202337min

Welcome to our latest episode of Talking France - a weekly podcast by The Local. If you enjoy the podcast please take the time to leave a review on Apple, Spotify or Google or if you have any feedback please email us at news@thelocal.fr.All our in-depth articles are available at our website thelocal.frIs the long battle over pension reform in France finally coming to an end? Everything could depend on the nine wise men and women, who sit on a very important council.In this week's episode we find out more about them, what they might have to say and what could happen next in the fight over pension reform.One person you’ll certainly want to get to know if you live in France is your local mayor - at least if you live in a small village. But just how powerful are France’s 35, 000 mayors and what exactly do they do?It’s April, the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming so that means its tax declaration season in France. We find out some ways you can save on your French tax bill and also some interesting perks the French taxman offers in return for your money.We will also look at the risk of more devastating wildfires in south western France this year and hear about the government’s new plan to tackle them.We’ll also find out why Paris is called the city of light and learn the nicknames of some other French cities.Host Ben McPartland will be joined by the engine room of The Local France - Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Apr 202334min

Welcome to a new episode of Talking France.As always this week, we get stuck into the big issues that are making the news in France. That means finding out why a French minister exposed herself to a barrage of criticism this week by appearing on the cover of Playboy magazine? And Marseille, France's second city is being dubbed the "murder capital” again after more deadly shootings in recent days. But just how dangerous is the Mediterranean port city for visitors? And of course, the mother of all battles rumbles on. We bring you up to date with pension strikes - fuel shortages, piles of waste, cancelled trains and the protests.And is now a good time to buy a property in France? And if it is, what are the things you absolutely need to do before you take the plunge and sign the deal? Apart from visit the actual house of course. We’ll find out.And Easter is upon us but how do the French celebrate it and why isn't Good Friday a public holiday?We also have some top tips for things you can do in France this Spring.Ben McPartland is your host but as ever the interesting info and insight is provided by The Local France's Editor Emma Pearson and journalist Gen Mansfield.Also a big thank you to those listeners who have become members of The Local in recent days and also those who have left positive reviews. It's really appreciated but more importantly your contributions help us to be able continue to be able to talk about France on this podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Apr 202336min

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Talking France.If this is your first time listening to Talking France you should check out our regular weekly podcast which looks at a wide range of news, talking points and cultural questions from France. You listen to all our episodes here.For this bonus episode we are sticking to one subject focussing on the political crisis and protests against pension reform that have gripped the country in recent weeks.Regular listeners to Talking France will be familiar with the voice and views of our French politics expert John Lichfield, who has reported on the country for over 25 years.John's been keeping a close eye on the ongoing turmoil in France so for this bonus episode I asked him to delve a little deeper to help us understand just what's going on and what might happen next.Why has France become so angry, why have protests turned violent, is this different to previous movements, why are protesters talking about May 1968 and how and when will things calm down? These are just some of the questions I put to John. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Apr 202318min

Welcome to a new episode of Talking France, a podcast produced by The Local, made possible by our members. If you like the podcast please take a moment to leave a review on the platform where you listen to it, such as Apple podcasts or send us your views via our podcast survey HERE.France is still mired in crisis and this week we focus on why the mood in the country has become so angry.We also look at why pension reform protests have turned violent and who are these black clad protesters waving umbrellas who seem to be behind much of the trouble once again.And we also look at why water supply to agriculture resulted in an almighty battle between demonstrators and gendarmes in western France at the weekend which saw police riot vans go up in flames and two protesters left fighting for their lives.Away from protests that are gripping France we look at just how good a country France is to live in, if you're a woman. From maternity leave to wages, is there really égalité in France?And we find out why France loves an April fish and hear some tips to help foreigners settle in the country.Host Ben McPartland is joined by joined by our resident talking brains The Local France's Editor Emma Person, journalist Gen Mansfield and French politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Mars 202336min

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 Mars 202333min

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 Mars 202337min

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 Mars 202333min