France's shock healthcare fee plan and will French PM sacrifice himself?

This week we head into rural France. Listeners will no doubt know that you absolutely need a car if you're in the French countryside but can President Emmanuel Macron convince drivers to go electric with his new offer?And what about pubic transport? Does the French government have any plans to improve trains and buses for those living in la France Profonde. We get the latest on the fuel blockades and look at whether this week's nationwide strike in France will give Macron and his ministers reason to be jittery about the months ahead. Will it really herald an uprising like May 1968?And what's been happening with Notre Dame Cathedral. Will it really be restored in time for the Paris Olympics. We get the latest.We also bring you some French films you really should find time to watch and discover why everyone has been talking about stretchy mash potato and cheese in the Auvergne region of central France.Host Ben McPartland will be joined by editor Emma Pearson and journalist Gen Mansfield, who this week joined us on the line from the US. As usual we picked the brains of our politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Okt 202232min

In this week's episode we'll discuss the ongoing and worsening fuel crisis in the country. With drivers having to queue for hours to fill up their cars and the French government taking the bold step of forcing strikers back to work tensions are high. Are we heading for a winter of discontent?We'll also hear about the changing eating habits of the French.In the country of Boeuf Bourguignon and steak frites is meat now becoming too hard to digest for a younger, more environmentally conscious generation?We'll hear about how one of France's most famous Christmas markets is cracking down on tacky products - including, believe it or not Champagne.And the battle against the influence of English words in the French language goes on. Are the guardians of la langue francais right to protect the language of Moliere against the language of Shakespeare and the Spice Girls? Or is it futile?Joining me will be The Local France's editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and French politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Okt 202232min

In the new episode of Talking France, we'll be discussing why storm clouds are gathering over the French parliament and why the next few weeks and months look set to be tempestuous for President Emmanuel Macron and his government. We'll lay out the battles that lie ahead and what's likely to happen.And we'll also hear about yet more of Macron's ministers and advisors landing in hot water and what it could all mean for the president.We'll hear about why French towns are boycotting the world's biggest sporting event, an historic moment for the Paris Metro and we'll bring you the definitive answer to the question: "what is the best part of France's coastline?"We'll also try to answer that age old question of "Whether French workers are the biggest strikers of them all?" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Okt 202237min

In today's episode we'll look at whether France is heading for another wave of strikes and protests prompted by yet another pension reform.Yes, nothing riles France's unions more than a proposal to make people work for longer in life but that's what President Emmanuel Macron wants to do. We'll find out why and what's likely to happen.We'll also discuss why wearing a roll-neck jumper is the latest energy saving measure recommended by the French government.We'll examine what's gone wrong with the Eurostar and find out why Brexit is partly to blame for higher prices and longer queues on the Paris to London rail service.We'll also hear about a battle brewing between mussel farmers and spider crabs on the French coast and learn about that famous autumn Gallic pastime of mushroom foraging and why it's more dangerous than you'd think.And stay with us until the end to learn some useful French vocab and expressions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Sep 202234min

In our latest episode of Talking France - a podcast in which our team at The Local, including French politics expert John Lichfield, discuss all things French, we look at the main talking points in France this week.We explain the new French government website ministers want us to sign up to and why it might help avoid power cuts this winter.We'll examine how skiing in the Alps or Pyrenees might be different for winter holidaymakers this year and whether all the money the French government is ploughing into cycling will improve safety.With the help of John Lichfield we'll discuss the crisis on the French left brought about by claims and admissions of domestic abuse by two prominent figures. Is this the beginning of the end for the seemingly invincible Jean-Luc Mélenchon?"It's never been possible to criticise Mélenchon internally within his own party, but it is now," John Lichfield tells Talking France.And John will also look at the contrast between the struggles of President Emmanuel Macron at home and his strong showing on the international stage, not least with his powerful speech at the UN this week.Macron is strong and forthright abroad but lost and depressed at home, John tells the podcast.On a lighter note we'll delve into the French tradition of afternoon snacking, the one "meal" of the day when the French - or at least the kids - can anyway without eating absolute "crap".Talking France is a free podcast open to all. It's funded by readers becoming members of The Local. If you like what you listen to please leave a review on Spotify, or Apple / Google Podcasts. And always feel free to email us with feedback at news@thelocal.fr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Sep 202236min

On this week's episode we'll discuss everything from France's love for the British queen, problems with French nuclear power, the long-awaited return of Dijon mustard to supermarket shelves and what the devastating wildfires could mean for France's fine wines.We'll also look at why the thorny issue of euthanasia and assisted dying is back in the news in France and how President Emmanuel Macron is hoping to settle the country's law on the right to die once and for all .But is a referendum really the best way to do that?And we'll bring you much, much more including some French vocab to learn and the one French TV show you really should tune into this autumn? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Sep 202236min

In this new episode of Talking France, our team Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield, along with host Ben McPartland explore how the energy crisis will impact life in France and whether President Emmanuel Macron and his government have a plan to get France through the winter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Sep 202234min

This is our final episode of Talking France before we, like the rest of France, take a summer break.There is a lot to discuss as we look into what the next few weeks have in store for France.From the return of Covid-19 to the summer get away and from the political chaos to the threat of strikes we will explore what could happen over the next few weeks.We'll also learn a thing or three about the French Constitution and discover whether the French really do eat frogs legs, snails and horse as the stereotype has us believe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Juni 202231min