How long will new French PM last and what to expect in France this Christmas?

On the menu this week we look at whether more French cities will follow the lead of Paris by turning up the heat big fuel guzzling SUV vehicles plus we find out why Eurostar is facing more travel misery.We'll try to understand French waiters - are they just grumpy garçons or serious professionals who get an unfair reputation and answer some of your important questions on the new French language requirements for residency permits and citizenship.And we'll explore whether the French, reputed as being the world's biggest romancers, are actually bothered about Valentine's Day?This podcast is produced by The Local and made possible thanks to our members. If you'd like to join then now's the time you can make the most of a special offer for podcast listeners by going www.thelocal.fr/podcastoffer/Ben McPartland your host is joined by the team at The Local Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Further reading:Paris votes in favour of €18-per-hour parking fees for SUVsYour questions answered about the new French language tests for foreignersAll you need to know about the new French language requirementsEES: Eurostar could limit services over new biometric passport checksFrench waiters to race through Paris streets as historic contest returnsHow do the French really feel about Valentine's Day? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Feb 202433min

The country’s farmers are staging a siege of Paris and no one quite knows how it’s going to play out, how long this siege will last for, or whether the country is headed for some serious unrest… again. We explain all the latest developments for you.And a big law change affecting foreign residents in France has seen the government toughen the French language requirements for certain residency permits and for gaining French citizenship. It's caused a bit of a stir but we run through exactly what changes.And as well as all that we’ll find out the story of the so-called Belly of Paris and on the subject of bellies we’ll tell why the French get all superstitious on Friday (at the same times as stuffing their faces with crêpes.)Ben McPartland your host is joined by The Local France's Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Further reading:Should I cancel my trip to France because of farmers' protests?How long does it take to learn French to A2, B1 or B2 level?Quiz: Could you pass the new French language tests?France brings in stricter language requirements for foreignersLa Chandeleur - the day the French get superstitious and go crazy for crêpes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Jan 202432min

This week we explain the anger among French farmers that has led them to block motorways across the country. Who's to blame, how long will the road blocks go on for and how will it be resolved?We'll also look at why President Emmanuel Macron's suggestion the French need to be making more babies has caused a bit of uproar and why the French are making so many films but not as many babies.We will also reveal the one département in France that has no train services but is well worth a visit - if you can get there and find out whether French fries and other so-called French things are indeed actually French.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the three tenors of The Local France this week: Pearson, Mansfield and Lichfield. Or Emma, Gen and John as we know themRemember members of The Local can get unlimited access to all out articles on line. If you'd like to join you can get a discount by clicking here.READ MORE:French farmers have legitimate complaints but it's not all the EU's faultAre French fries really French?Birth rate in France falls to lowest rate since WWIICould France's forgotten département see the return of train services?Oscars revenge for film 'Anatomy of a fall' after French snub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 Jan 202438min

In this week's episode we look at what's ahead for the next three years of Emmanuel Macron's presidency given that he has a new prime minister and a new government in place. We also find out where France's most expensive autoroutes are, explore the part of the country the French dream of moving to and also explain the key differences between public and private schools in France. And the big question we ask this week is whether it's really OK to ask for a doggy bag in a French restaurant.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the three talking heads of Talking France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.----Further reading:OPINION: Macron's government is veering to the right? Hardly.OPINION: Macron's gamble is an opportunity and a curse for his new PMWhat are the most expensive autoroutes in France that you might want to avoid?'Autoroute des anglais': Do you know the nicknames of France's autoroutes?Are doggy bags taboo in French restaurants?Which part of south west France is the top 'dream destination' to move to? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 Jan 202434min

In this special episode to kick off series 10 of Talking France we answer a selection of questions from our listeners including: Do the French have no sense of humour? Why are there so many speed cameras in France and what's the best way to learn French?Our politics expert John Lichfield also answers a couple of reader questions including the big one: Can anyone stop Marine Le Pen becoming the next president of France?And much, much more...Podcast listeners can become members of The Local for just €1 for the first month by clicking here.-----A big thanks to all our listeners who answered our survey and sent in questions. There were so many that we couldn't answer them all but we picked a good selection. We will try and answer others in articles on the site so keep an eye on our website The Local.frFurther reading:How to find affordable French classes in FranceExplained: What is the French Fifth Republic?Tips for learning French as an older person in FranceWhat to do if you get a speeding ticket in France?How to spot France's speed cameras Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Jan 202431min

This special episode of Talking France is dedicated entirely to looking ahead so you know what to expect in France in 2024.We'll try and answer some of the big questions about what lies ahead including what could cause the next political crisis in France and will it lead to strikes and street protests? Will Paris be ready for the Olympic Games and is it best just to avoid France all together next summer?We'll also look at what is the big change for travel that could cause big queues at French borders and will Notre Dame reopen on time?Listen to the end and you'll be well prepared for 2024 in France.Host Ben McPartland is joined by our team from The Local France Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield. For all our articles on France in 2024 you can visit our dedicated page France in 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Dec 202328min

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