On the menu for this week we'll start off by talking about France's new highly intelligent cat, which Emmanual Macron is hoping will rule the world. Don't worry, we'll explain what I'm on about shortly.

We'll also delve into France's new budget and explain how listeners will be impacted by some of the measures, including why you'll have to pay more for flights in France in the future.

You've all heard of the medieval citadel of Carcassonne but there are some other, less well-known castles in south west France that are also vying for global attention, as we'll explore.

And France's Prime Minister has said he wants to open a discussion about what it means to be French, so we're going to do exactly that.

And finally stay listening until the end to find out what you really shouldn't do on a train in France if you don't want to make international news and more importantly be hit by a steep fine.

Host Ben McPartland will be joined by The Local's editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• French train passenger fined €150 for using phone on speaker
• 8 must-visit castles in south-west France (you've probably never heard of)
• OPINION: AI is unstoppable, so I'd rather it was French than American or Chinese
• How France's new eco tax will affect the cost of plane tickets
• France's PM calls for debate on 'what it means to be French'

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On the bill this week, we get the latest on the forecast for how long the French PM will last as he tries to navigate the government through evermore turbulent waters.

And speaking of water we'll also hear about a potentially huge scandal involving French eau mineral - or mineral water. 

We'll look at potential problems for the thousands of skiers heading to the FRench Alps this February including: ginormous boulders rolling off the mountainside.

And we'll try to solve the age old riddle for French language learners which is whether to use "tu" or "vous". I promise I think we've cracked it.

And it's five years since Brexit but that doesn't mean everything is settled for Brits in France. We'll look ahead to some potential headaches and hurdles in 2025.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by esteemed regular guests this week: Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• OPINION: France's crafty PM may just pull off a Columbo-style surprise
• What to know if you are going skiing in the French Alps this February
• How to check the water quality in your French commune
• France allowed Nestlé to use banned filter for bottled water
• What are the rules on using 'tu' and 'vous' in modern France?
• It's five years since Brexit but problems lie ahead for Brits in Europe

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This week we'll examine the French President's planned multi-million euro revamp of the world famous Louvre gallery in Paris and also… why is Emmanuel Macron even getting involved in museum refurbishments anyway?

We'll also discuss the end of the internet in France, well not quite, but there are major changes afoot that listeners should be aware of.

And we'll explore France's love-hate relationship with mega cruise ships. They love building them but do French cities still love welcoming them and their thousands of passengers? Resistance appears to be growing against the so-called floating cities.

We'll also find out a strange quirk of French law that could see you in hot water at French motorway toll booths and answer the key question of who decides whether French words are masculine or feminine.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by three people worthy of having their portraits hung in the Louvre: Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• France to raise price of Louvre tickets for non-EU visitors
• Explained: Will other French museums follow the Louvre in charging more to non-EU visitors?
• Is France moving towards a ban on cruise ships?
• Calendar: France begins work to disconnect ADSL internet cables
• Macron responds to French driver fined for using phone to pay at tollbooth
• French grammar tips: Guessing the gender of nouns

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Donald Trump is back and his mate Elon Musk is doing a lot of talking and gesticulating, but the pair have been fairly quiet about France... so far. We'll examine whether Emmanual Macron has managed to befriend and becalm them or if Trump and co will "crush" France and Europe as the French PM has warned.

On a slightly less worrying subject we'll explain France's new census that's taking place around the country and why one particular question has caused a rumpus.

And we'll look at a new French law and how it benefits workers in the country, but perhaps not business owners… and find out why France is one of the few countries in the world where cinema numbers are going up and not down.

And we have an important update on the key subject of language tests for citizenship and residency permits that will interest many listeners.

Host Ben McPartland is joined for this week's episode by three of The Local's most astute brainiacs Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• Latest: French interior ministry clarifies new language test rules for foreigners in France
• France's 2025 census - who will be counted and when?
• New profit-sharing rules take effect for small businesses in France
• France's cinemas show the way in post-Covid recovery
• Read more from John Lichfield

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This week we'll find out why pensioners are to blame for all of France's problems, well not quite, but they are perhaps to blame for all the new prime minister's troubles. 

We'll also examine some major travel changes for south west France at a time that could spell both bad and good news for residents there.

We'll get to the bottom of a new driving law in France that's finally come into force this week and look at whether days are numbered for France's tourist information centres as the last one in Paris shuts up shop.

We'll also explain why your carte vitale health card might have stopped working and what you can do about it if it does get refused.

Ben McPartland your host is joined on the Talking France dance floor this week by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and French politics expert John Lichfield. 

Extra reading:

• 15 reasons Clermont-Ferrand is the best place in France
• France legalises motorbikes and scooters weaving through traffic
• EasyJet confirms Toulouse base closure as half of summer flights cancelled
• The alternative travel options to get to south-west France
• Ten reasons to visit France's Auvergne area
• 7 reasons to visit France's 'top city of 2025'
• What you can do if your French 'carte vitale' stops working
• Read more from John Lichfield

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This week we bring you all the latest on some big changes in France for drivers and look at where in the country you’ll wait the longest for a response from your prefecture. We will of course bring you the latest on the plight of France’s latest government and remind you who the PM is these days.

We also explain the 12 Gallic complaints you’ll need to get through the year in France.

And it’s 10 years since the Charlie Hebdo and HyperCacher supermarket terror attack in Paris. We’ll look at what happened next to the Charlie Hebdo magazine and explain a bit about France’s thirst for satire.

Host Ben McPartland is joined once again by editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and French politics expert John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• OPINION: Pensioners, not immigrants, are wrecking France
• OPINION: Sadly, the new year in France won't bring an end to 'la zizanie'
• MAP: The French cities with Crit'Air low emission zones in 2025
• Revealed: The waiting times at French préfectures
• Podcast: How did Jean-Marie Le Pen change France? (from April 2024)
• Quiz: Can you decipher all 12 of these French complaints?

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This special episode is dedicated entirely to looking ahead so you know a little about what to expect in France in 2025.

We'll try and answer some of the big questions about what lies ahead. Such as... How many Prime Ministers will France have in 2025? More or less than the 4 it had in 2024? We'll also look at whether there will be more elections this year and more protests and political crises.

We'll look ahead to some big travel changes in Paris, in France and indeed in Europe.

And just as Notre Dame reopens another huge Paris tourist attraction is set to close!

Stay with us and you'll be well prepared for 2025 in France.

Host Ben McPartland is joined underneath mistletoe by our team from The Local France Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

To catch up with everything happening in France in 2025 you'll find all our articles under the topic France in 2025.

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In this special episode of Talking France in which we answer some questions about France from listeners of the podcast and readers of The Local.

These questions will cover everything from whether Donald Trump being back in the White House means Marine Le Pen will soon be in Macron’s house - the Elysee palace.

We’ll answer a question on how could France have an energy crisis when it’s got so much nuclear power and whether the country simply spends too much on protecting its population?

We’ll try and explain how Americans can look more… well French in the way they dress and whether foreign residents in the country can get by without speaking French.

And finally we’ll try and answer a good question from a reader about what makes France so great, although we’ll first try and find out if it is actually that great.

Host Ben McPartland is asking the questions on behalf of listeners and to answer them we’ll have the three wise men and women from The Local : Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

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France has a new Prime Minister, just in time for the New Year, but how long will he last for in 2025? France does have a PM but will it get a new government in time for Christmas? A lot has happened in French politics since last week and there’s a lot more that will happen before the end of the year so we’ll break it all down for you.

Away from politics we’ll find out about some foreign residents who’ve been caught with fake French language test certificates. And we’ll run through what to expect in France this Christmas from strikes to topless firefighters.

And we’ll hear how glitches on the French immigration admin website ANEF have been causing a “crisis” for international residents in the country.

It’s another jam-packed episode of Talking France coming up.

And we're appealing to all our listeners this Christmas who haven’t become members. Please consider joining The Local, we really need new members to be able to continue recording these episodes and to be able to carry on writing the dozens of valuable articles the team produces each week about France and the issues facing residents, second home owners and visitors. So please treat yourself and your family this Christmas to a membership of The Local France. If you’re already a member you can also buy a gift membership for the francophile in your life via this link.

Extra reading:

Extra reading

• OPINION: Three reasons to be hopeful about France's new prime minister
• After budget row, French MPs pass 'special law' to keep show on the road
• Three arrested for helping foreigners cheat on French language tests
• Trains, roads and planes: What to know about travel in France over Christmas
• Foreigners in France face 'national crisis' due to glitches on admin site ANEF

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This week, we'll get the latest on the ongoing political crisis in France and President Emmanuel Macron's quest to find a government to run the country. Will he succeed in getting a Christmas truce?

We'll find out who the winners and losers are from the fact that France has no 2025 budget and look at who might be to blame for the messy end of year in French politics.

We'll find out what's so special about Paris' roof tops but why you really don't want to be living right under one. 

And we'll explore whether our personalities change when we speak French. Do we become more emotional or more likely to have an argument? 

And we'll compare how trains in France compare to rail services around Europe and whether they've become too expensive for many people.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local's veritable locomotive Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• OPINION: French politicians are finally talking about compromise and cooperation
• Taxes, pensions and bills - What France's budget crisis means for your wallet
• UNESCO gives heritage status to Paris' zinc roofs - but is that actually a good thing?
• OPINION: Your personality changes when you speak another language, but that’s not always a bad thing
• COMPARED: The best and worst train operators in Europe

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