So French!

By Stefan de Vries

The podcast from Paris about French current affairs, culture and politics. Hosted by Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries... more

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4.8

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FAQs about So French!:

How many episodes does So French! have?

The podcast currently has 122 episodes available.

So French! episodes:

November 05, 2025 France in Flux: Budgets, Bling, and the Bataclan Decade
Ten years ago today, So French! was born — just one week before the terror attacks that would forever change France. As we relaunch our podcast in a turbulent political and social landscape, Sara and Stefan look back at a decade of transformation: from terror threats to TikTok-era extremism, and from François Hollande to Emmanuel Macron (and still, somehow, Nicolas Sarkozy).

This week, we dive into France’s budget battle royale — a “Frankenstein” of a finance bill that might just sink the government. We track the scandal of the week, as ultra-fast fashion giant Shein opens its Paris flagship amid outrage over child-like sex dolls, and we check in on the Bling-Bling President now sitting in solitary.

Plus: slow TV from Mont Saint-Michel, the Norwegians’ unexpected role in soothing French nerves, and what happens when you mix politics, pain, and the tides of time.

🇫🇷 Politics. Culture. Outrage. Beauty. Only on So French.
Tune in — and vive la relance!
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42min
October 22, 2025 The One Where They Reunite
🎉 We’re Back! So French Returns After 5 Years 🇫🇷
After a five-year hiatus, So French is back — and celebrating 10 years since our very first episode! In this special relaunch, co-hosts Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries reunite to reflect on the past decade of podcasting about life in France, #politics, scandals (yes, plenty!), and the ever-evolving French society.

Join us as we talk about what’s changed — and what hasn’t — since we last hit record:
🦠 Life post-COVID
🚴‍♀️ Cycling lanes in Paris
🎩 Familiar political faces (Sarkozy, anyone?)
🌍 A fresh European perspective from Amsterdam to Paris and back
🎙️ New format, more guests, and now… video!

Whether you’re a longtime listener or just discovering us, So French is your go-to dose of wit, insight, and all things français.
📅 First full episode drops November 5th – exactly 10 years after our debut. Subscribe now and say bonjour to a new era of So French!
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9min
January 20, 2020 Paris, The City of Strikes
It's the seventh week of the National Strike. Will we see any major developments, or will the country stay chaotic over the next couple of days?

What's at stake in the upcoming local Elections? Will the pension reform diminish Macron's chances? And who will become the next Mayor of Paris?

A dustman in Paris was fired because someone tweeted that he was taking a nap. What's behind this story?

Recorded in Paris, 19 January 2020.
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34min
December 02, 2019 How to survive the Strike of the Decade?
This week: Black Thursday is coming! On December 5, a national strike will paralyze the country. It could well last until the New Year. How to survive what could become the biggest strike in decades?

Another black day for the French Army, when 13 soldiers died in a helicopter accident during an anti-jihadist operation in Mali. France’s military involvement in Africa is now in question.

Turning Black Friday green? As the infamous November took its grip on France, the country’s politicians are getting ready to put the breaks on the shopping frenzy.

And will Sara and Stefan quit drinking in the New Year? Emmanuel Macron thinks it's not such a good idea to participate in Dry January.
Recorded in Paris, November 30, 2019.
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30min
November 16, 2019 Why the French are terrible at languages (and what they can do about it)
Parlez-vous franglais? The French are not known for speaking English fluently. Or any other foreign language. Our guest, Giuseppe Fantigrossi of the start-up Play2Speak, will tell us why that is the case, and more importantly: how the French can finally improve their foreign language skills.

This weekend, it has been one year already that the Yellow Vests started their protests. And they are continuing. There were violent clashes in Paris again this Saturday. It coincided with the day the first half of Macron's (first?) five-year mandate ended. To put more pressure on the President, a national unlimited strike, in public transportation, but probably also in schools, hospitals and other public services will start. How warm is this Winter going to be for the French Government?

Also: at the very chic Culture Ministry, a high-ranked civil servant drugged hundreds of young women to make them urinate in front of him. A “crazy pervert” says the Minister, but how come he wasn’t stopped earlier?

Recorded in Paris, November 16, 2019
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36min
November 03, 2019 While New York City is banning foie gras, the French are hooked on Halloween
Seine-Saint-Denis is France's poorest district. In 2024 it will be the main site of the Olympic Games. This week the government presented a plan to improve life for its 1.6 million inhabitants. What are the challenges? And is the plan sufficient?

Bad news for New York Foodies: in 2023, all foie gras will be banned. We talk with New York Chef Hugue Dufour, who is not amused with the ban.

On this side of the Ocean, Halloween is getting more and more popular every year. Ten years ago, the French couldn't be bothered by this very American party, but now they spend 1.3 billion euros on the scary party. Why do they like it? Hosts Sara and Stefan discuss the new tradition.
Recorded in Paris on November 2, 2019.
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30min
October 20, 2019 Why headscarves to the French are like red rags to a bull
Once every while debate rages in France about Muslim veils. This week another high-point was reached: the topic was discussed in no less than 85 (!) TV programmes, with 286 talking heads, not one of them being a veil wearing muslim woman...

In the country that has 'Liberty' and 'Equality' in its publicity slogan, many people would like to see restrictions on the way people dress. And by 'people', they often mean 'Muslim women'. Is banning the headscarf a legitimate way of defending France's 'values' (whatever they may be) or is it an open war against Muslims?

We also talk about another immigrant whose clothing obsessed the French: Marie-Antoinette. In two centuries, the image of the Austrian princess transformed into a pop icon. A new exhibition in Paris ‘celebrates’ her life.

Recorded in Paris, on 19 October 2019
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30min
October 04, 2019 French Media go bananas about Chirac's death
Hosts Sara and Stefan are baffled by this week's media frenzy following former President Jacques Chirac's death. Why did French media go bananas with their coverage? They also discuss the fire at the chemical plant in Rouen. The aftermath showed once again that French citizens have very little trust in government institutions. And to a certain extent, that distrust is justified by the way French authorities has been handling some severe health crises in the past.
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29min
September 21, 2019 Back to School!
The schools have started again, the Rentrée is almost forgotten, yet the debate on how to reform the old fashioned and underperforming French education system is still raging.

The OECD published a report comparing school systems around the World, and the French are not the best pupils. We go into detail of these findings with our special guest Juliette Buisson, Middle School Teacher in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

And also: Patrick Balkany is without a doubt France’s most colourful white-collar criminal. For decades, this flamboyant politician divided his time between lavish properties in Saint-Martin, Marrakech and Giverny. He’s now spending his nights in prison.

Recorded in Paris, October 20 and hosted by Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries
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30min
September 07, 2019 Threats and trees: Brazil gets personal with Macron
The crazy hot Europan Summer is over and that means we're back with So French! It is our fifth Season already. And we are recording in a brand new studio not far from the Eiffel Tower.

In this week's episode: France is getting serious about violence against women, while Brazil is insulting Macron. Also: the families of the victims of Air France flight 447 were shocked to learn that the investigating judges will drop their inquiry into the causes of the crash. And: victory for Maurice, the roaring rooster.
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24min

FAQs about So French!:

How many episodes does So French! have?

The podcast currently has 122 episodes available.

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