Talking France28 Sep 2023

France's bedbug invasion, Macron's green conundrum and how to pick a decent French restaurant?

This week's Talking France podcast looks at the explosion of bedbugs in France including on trains and in the cinemas. We delve into French tax laws inspired by an ongoing epic legal battle involving one of the world's biggest art dynasties and look at the dangers of going green for President Emmanuel Macron. We'll explain a controversial motorway in the south west and tips for choosing a decent restaurant in France.

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On the Talking France menu this week we have a six course meal full of varied dishes that will leave you full to the brim with knowledge of France.

For starters we’ve got bedbugs. Yep it seems like nowhere in France is free from the blood-thirsty insects whether it’s trains, cinemas or hospitals. We’ll find out just how bad the infestation is.

For a second course we’ll serve up what is possibly one of France’s craziest crime stories and look at what it teaches us about France’s strict inheritance laws. Then we’ll move on to a Brittany seaside town that’s gone British this week.

For the main course we’ll look at how President Emmanuel Macron wants to turn France green. From new trains to heat pumps we’ll find out whether his measures are up to scratch and the political dangers involved.

And for dessert we’ll look at how, in a country with as many restaurants as France does, you can possibly make sure you are picking a good one? Featuring some handy tips from readers in rural France.

And for a digestive we’ll look at some essential abbreviations you need to know if you are texting French people.

Host Ben McPartland is joined at the table by The Local France’s journalists Gen Mansfield and Sam Bradpiece as well as politics expert John Lichfield.

Further reading:

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