So French!

A very French week of Power and Pleasure!

France had quite a week. Macron deployed the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, reshaped France's nuclear doctrine, and floated the idea of extending the French nuclear umbrella to European allies,  including the Netherlands. Is this the moment Europe finally gets serious about its own defence? Or is this Paris doing what Paris does best: making a grand gesture at exactly the right moment?

Then a far-right activist died after violent clashes in Lyon, and within days, the National Assembly held a minute of silence for him. How did French democracy end up there? And who is quietly pocketing the political winnings?

Meanwhile, Stefan just returned from Greenland, where France has just opened a new consulate. Quietly. While nobody was watching. In the Arctic. Draw your own conclusions.

And because this is France, despite the wars, the scandals and the economic hand-wringing, over 100 million tourists visited last year. The country remains, stubbornly and magnificently, the most visited on earth.

Nuclear deterrence, political fury, Arctic ambition, and a well-deserved cocorico.

Bienvenue to So French ! with Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries.

In Episode 7 of So French!, we return to the courtroom, where far-right leader Marine Le Pen is battling to preserve her political future. Prosecutors want her conviction in the European Parliament fake jobs scandal upheld, including a five-year ban from office. Yet they stopped short of demanding immediate enforcement, leaving a narrow legal path that could still see her on the 2027 presidential ballot. We break down the legal stakes and the political fallout, including what this means for rising star Jordan Bardella.

We then turn to the French dimension of the newly released Epstein files. Focus has shifted to former culture minister Jack Lang and his daughter, Caroline, whose names appear frequently in the documents. Both deny any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. We examine their connections, the public reaction in France, and the uncomfortable questions surrounding elite networks and influence.

And finally, a lighter but revealing detour inside the Élysée Palace kitchen. Former presidential chef Guillaume Gomez shares what France’s presidents really like to eat, offering a culinary glimpse into power at the top.

Produced and Hosted by Sara Bertilsson & Stefan de Vries

France finally has a budget and, for now at least, a government to go with it. In this episode of So French, Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries unpack how Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu pushed the 2026 budget through parliament using the notorious Article 49.3, why the Socialists backed away from a no-confidence vote, and what this very French political drama tells us about power, compromise, and fatigue.

From Paris, the conversation widens to the world stage. At Davos, ⁠Emmanuel Macron⁠ warned against a global slide toward rule by force. At home, his stance is fiercely debated. Polls suggest the French are anxious, divided, and increasingly uncertain about where allies end and threats begin.

Then, a classic So French twist. We turn to Menton on the French Riviera, where ⁠Louis Sarkozy⁠, son of ⁠Nicolas Sarkozy⁠, is making his first bid for office. Raised in the United States, outspoken, controversial, and backed locally by parts of the Macron camp, Sarkozy junior is stirring unease across the political spectrum and offering a glimpse of what the 2027 presidential landscape might start to look like.

We wrap up with a quick note for international listeners, as the ⁠Louvre Museum⁠ raises ticket prices sharply for non-European visitors, reigniting debate over culture, access, and identity.

French politics, global anxiety, dynastic ambition, and a touch of absurdity. Exactly as promised.

A new year, familiar chaos!

In the first So French! episode of 2026, Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries look back at a turbulent 2025 in French politics and ask what lies ahead in the final full year of President Emmanuel Macron.

From collapsing governments and record-low approval ratings to court rulings that reshaped the political landscape, we unpack the key moments that defined last year. And then we turn to 2026: a country without a budget, a fragile prime minister, and a growing cast of contenders already positioning themselves for the 2027 presidential race. From Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella to the ever-dramatic Rachida Dati and the lingering shadow of Nicolas Sarkozy, French politics promises anything but calm.

We also briefly reflect on the controversy surrounding the death of Brigitte Bardot, once a global movie icon, who later turned into Brigitte Bigot, and the uncomfortable questions it raised about memory, legacy, and power.

Sharp analysis with a tongue firmly in cheek and zero political downtime.

Bienvenue to 2026! 🇫🇷

Christmas in France means lights, long dinners… and traditionally, plenty of wine.

But something is shifting.

In this festive Christmas edition of So French!, Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries meet Sarah Missaoui, founder of Déjà Bu, Paris’s first alcohol-free bar and drinks cellar. As more French people drink less or stop altogether, even during the holidays, what does that mean for a country so closely tied to wine and champagne?

We talk sober trends, generational change, Dry January, and the powerful wine lobby that still enjoys strong political protection under wine-drinker-in-chief Emmanuel Macron.

And then, from serious to sweet: a French Christmas commercial about a feared wolf who goes veggie has become a global viral hit. With music by Claude François and praise from the Daily Mail, it raises a simple question: is Christmas about what’s on the table – or about being together?

A warm, sharp and very French end-of-year episode.

Happy holidays from Sara and Stefan! 🎄🇫🇷

This week, So French goes deep into one urgent question: what is France really doing in the war in #Ukraine — and what does it mean for #Europe’s future?

Two major shocks landed almost at the same time:

🔹 Donald Trump’s surprise 28-point “peace plan”

🔹 A French-Ukrainian deal for up to 100 Rafale fighter jets over the coming decade

Grand promises, geopolitical theatre… and hard realities.

To separate strategy from storytelling, Stef and Sara speak with Élie Tenenbaum, director of security studies at IFRI , France’s leading foreign policy institute. Why is France so far behind Denmark in real support to Ukraine? Why did Macron change course? And why is Europe watching peace talks between Washington and Moscow from the corridor?

Expect blunt numbers, complicated truths… and a surprising conclusion about Europe’s strength.

Plus:

🇫🇷 Nicolas #Sarkozy wrote 11 pages per day about his 20 days in prison. Sacré bleu !

🐬 A rare piece of good news from the French Atlantic coast: dolphins are returning

Follow So French for sharp analysis from Paris, politics with a human touch, and a European lens on a continent at a turning point.

📬 [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @sofrenchshow

🄾 Produced and hosted by Sara Bertilsson & Stefan de Vries

🎵 Original music by Laurent Bleu

In this episode, Stefan and Sara delve into the complexities of French politics, exploring the cultural psyche that influences political behaviour, particularly the reluctance to compromise. They discuss recent developments, including Amsterdam's new parking regulations targeting French tourists, the ongoing debates surrounding the French state budget, and the implications of Nicolas Sarkozy's release from prison. The conversation also touches on Rachida Dati's legal troubles and the historical context of France's political structure, culminating in a discussion about a rare calculating machine auctioned in France.

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!

🎉 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!