This week we start off with some explosive news from France before we hear why authorities on a picturesque island off France's west coast are offering second home owners thousands of euros for their properties and look at why houses have become so expensive in places like the famous Il de Ré.

And we'll look at how speed cameras are getting flashier in France and try to understand why everyone, in rural parts of the country especially, hate them to the point of burning them down.

We'll also explain why there's been a big drop in the number of foreigners becoming French, but why there's been a big rise in the number of Americans moving across the Atlantic to set up home in France.

And we'll help you reveal the animal in you by teaching you some must-know French expressions...

Host Ben McPartland and I'll be joined by the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and John Lichfield.

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Up this week we'll look at what's at stake in the upcoming local elections in France and whether French voters really care. And we'll look ahead to the French presidential election to see whether anyone can unite the left... and whether French voters really care.

We'll also look at why kids have been banned from some first class trains in France and whether France, on the whole, is less child-friendly than other countries. We'll hear about the move in the country to avoid American tech companies and indeed other US brands and we'll look forward to some of the best and most bizarre festivals in France this year. Stay with us to hear the strangest sound we've ever heard on Talking France.

And we'll see whether us French learners should really be aiming to speak like Edith Piaf.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France - Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and our politics expert John Lichfield.

You'll find many more articles about France at The Local.fr

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This week we'll look at whether the French government will survive long enough to enjoy the weekend and find out what the French make of all this budget bedlam that's been going on far too long, especially when the world seems to be lurching towards a crisis.

And speaking of that crisis, we'll look ahead to where these mounting tensions between France, Europe and Donald Trump will lead too, and we'll hear from our American listeners in France as to how they are impacted by it all.

We'll also look at how bad a plague hazing is at French universities and get a view on how different the drinking cultures is between French and British students.

And are open fires in cosy homes in rural France soon to be a thing of the past?

And we'll explain some of the weird and wacky noises you'll hear the French make.

Host Ben McPartland is joined this week by the two Emmas : Pearson and Albright and the one John: Lichfield that is.

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This week on Talking France we look at the reasons so many landlords in France get away with renting out hovels - even though there are supposed to be laws against it.

We’ll look at just how safe skiing is in France these days given 6 people, including one Briton, were killed in avalanches over the weekend.

And we’ll look at why France’s leaders are being urged to channel their “inner De Gaule” and stand up to the United States.

And we’ll learn how to talk about the cold weather like a real French person.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and politics expert John Lichfield.

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This week we’ll discuss the big talking point in France at the start of January 2026, which  is just how did George Clooney and his wife Amal and their kids become French citizens?

George doesn’t seem to be a full time resident in France, nor by his own admission does he speak French very well, nor is he married to a French national, so how did he do it? We’ll find out and look at some of the reactions to Monsieur George Clooney getting a French passport.

We’ll also look at the strikes that are starting to pile up at the start of the year, hear about the French government’s plan to ban young teenagers from accessing social media sites and help you learn some key French strike vocab and importantly how to pronounce it. 

For this new series of Talking France, well it’s a combination of the old and the new, the old, well that’s host Ben McPartland and Emma Pearson The Local France’s editor and John Lichfield our politics expert. And the new, well we’ve got a new member of The Local France team, she’s also an Emma - Emma Albright.

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This is a special episode focussed on looking ahead to next year in France, so you are all aware of what will happen in terms of travel and immigration changes and what might happen when it comes to political crises and elections.

We'll look at all the key changes on the horizon and the key cultural dates to get in your diary for next year.

So sit back, crack open an oyster or two or if you are like me and think oysters are just posh slime that belongs in the sea, then get yourself a glass of vin chaud, and make sure to listen to the end.

Im Ben McPartland and I'll be joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

For all our articles looking ahead to the changes in France in 2026 visit our special 2026 web page.

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This week, we will look at the latest flare up between the government and French farmers, many of whom have been spending recent days blockading motorways or public buildings and basically trying to get the government to listen.

We'll also find out about a significant vote in the French parliament about residency permits and look at the new French Civics Test that will be compulsory in 2026 for citizenship and some residency applicants - and find out how much it costs.

Plus we'll look ahead to Christmas in France this year, will the farmers scupper your travel plans, will there be snow and why has the whole country become obsessed by a wolf.

And we'll have a look at some of the best, worst and most memorable moments in France in 2025.

I'm Ben McPartland and I'll be joined by The Local France's Editor Emma Pearson and our politics expert John Lichfield.

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It seems no one likes dual nationals these days. They are being picked on by politicians in countries across the world. We'll look at whether the rules around dual citizenship could change in France and also remind you of some big changes ahead for anyone planning on becoming French.

We'll also find out why French police and their boss - the French interior minister are up in arms and threatening lawsuits over a board game this Christmas.

We'll catch up with the French PM's efforts to save the government and get a budget through and find out why Americans are obsessed with France.

Im Ben McPartland and I'll be joined by the team at The Local France Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and our politics expert John Lichfield.

READ MORE:

• OPINION: France's muddled half-budget counts as a big win for the embattled PM

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This week we have all the latest on the budget showdown in what is a crucial week for the French government. We'll hear about a new high speed train service linking two of France's big cities, but why it isn't quite as direct as it sounds.

We'll examine whether France's ecotax on plane tickets is really leading to airlines cancelling flights and, forget the Nordic countries we'll hear how France is now one of the leading countries when it comes to equality for women, but we'll also reveal a shocking statistic that shows us how much more needs to be done.

We will also explain about how French mayors are taking on noisy tourists and their suitcases.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France - Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield. 

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With French army generals giving speeches about the need to protect ourselves, the president announcing new plans for military service and French authorities telling us we all need to prepare an emergency box with blankets, baby food and board games, this week we'll look at why all the talk of war in France right now?

And could change finally be ahead for the French school calendar. Are they about to cut the big summer holiday? 

The French wine industry is suffering an almighty hangover right now; we'll find out just how bad things are and whether there are any remedies out there that might relieve the crisis.

Plus we'll start the build up to next year's local elections in France, predict who the next mayor of Paris will be and why many communes are struggling to find a mayor altogether.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team from The Local France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

A reminder any listeners who aren't a member of The Local can take advantage of a great Black Friday deal and join. Act quick though. The half-price offer will end at the end of November. CLICK HERE to take advantage.

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