Talking France

It’s the start of a new year, there’s a lot going on in France to catch up with so we have a jam-packed episode featuring the president Emmanuel Macron finally opening up about his love life, a look ahead to the ski season in the Alps - will there be any snow to ski on and why folk in south west France will be paying more property taxes.

And the battle lines have been drawn between the French government and the unions over pension reform which means, strikes. Of course. We have all the latest. 

We also look at the danger of more violence from far right extremists in France and what changes for drivers in the country in 2023.

And stay tuned to the end to find out some handy tips for living in France.

I’m joined as usual by Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield at our office in Paris and our politics expert John Lichfield up in Normandy.

The following articles cover the subjects discussed in the episode.

France's January pension strikes - what services will be affected?

'When you're in love you cannot choose': Macron opens up about falling for Brigitte

The law changes drivers in France need to know about in 2023

What can I do if I've booked a French skiing holiday and there's no snow



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This episode of Talking France is dedicated to looking ahead and what’s in store for France and everyone living here in 2023.

Will there be surprise elections, will there be street protests? 

There will certainly be price rises and we’ll explain just exactly what will cost you more in France in 2023. And perhaps what could cost less - including property.

There will also be big changes for travel, especially for non-EU arrivals in France and we’ll find out whether 2023 will be a good year for public holidays.

And next year will also offer up some things to look forward to in France, including the Rugby World Cup.

Articles to read:

• What changes about life in France in 2023
• Where are French property prices are set to fall in 2023?
• What foreigners in France need to know about border system changes for travellers
• Food, fuel and transport: What prices will rise in France in 2023?

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It's another jam-packed episode on Talking France featuring the aftermath of the World Cup final including why French president Emmanuel Macron was accused of being “offside”.

Article: ‘Offside’?: Macron’s World Cup final support divides opinion

We tell you how your finances could change in France now that the budget has finally passed and introduce you to the World’s richest man - yep he’s a Frenchman and we’ll also hear about a Frenchwoman who is perhaps the most stereotypical Parisian ever on TV.

Did you know that France has 12 different time zones? - We explain why.

Article: 'Confetti of an empire': France's overseas territories explained

And of course it’s Christmas and in France that means rows about religion, sea food banquets and only one day off.

Article: What does laicité (secularism) really mean in France?

And to help you digest all this new information we’ll end the episode in good Gallic spirits - stay tuned to the end to find out what I’m talking about.

Article: Gallic spirits: 17 of the best French digestifs

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On this week’s episode of Talking France we find out why certain Paris cafés are banning customers from getting out their laptops.

Are they really “squatters who don’t pay their way” as one café owner told us, or just a modern, hi-tech version of a traditional Paris café goer? We hear from both sides of the row.

Article: ‘They are squatters’: Are Paris cafés right to clamp down on laptop users?

This week France’s traditional centre-right party has elected a new leader who isn’t traditionally centre right at all. We’ll find out more about him and on the subject of politics we’ll also hear how France’s unofficial first lady Brigitte Macron actually fills her days. There is far more to Brigitte than just being “Macron’s former teacher”.

It’s almost Christmas so we need to talk about Foie Gras and why there are fears in France of a shortage and also why does France have such strict rules around swim wear - especially for men.

Article: Speedos: Why are the French so obsessed with skimpy swimming trunks?

And with France playing Morocco in the World Cup semi final we look at the complicated relations between the two countries and why the match meant more than just football.

Article: OPINION - French, Moroccan or both? In truth, it’s more complicated than politicians will admit

Article: Celebrations and clashes after France make World Cup final

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On this week's show we hear about the real chances of there being blackouts in France this winter and why the French government can't simply blame Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine.

• OPINION: France faces the real possibility of power cuts this winter and it can’t blame Putin

We hear about the Frenchman taking on Elon Musk and we also get into the thorny subject of what the French and the English really think of each other including the views of Britain’s ambassador to France. 

• The French phrases you will need for France v England banter

It's nearly Christmas and that means a lot of our listeners and readers will be on the move. We'll explain just what's in store for those travelling over the next few weeks in France and abroad.

And on the subject of travel we'll explain why France has banned internal flights between certain French cities.

• What to expect if you are travelling to France over Christmas

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In this week's show we bring listeners up to date with some of the biggest news and talking points in France including President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the United States.

We look at the ups and downs in Franco-American relations over the years and find out why Macron is far from happy with his US counterpart Joe Biden.

We also find out a little bit more about the thousands of American citizens who have made home in France.

We learn about one of France's most influential women in history and why her name is back in the news this week.

Plus we head to one particular part of France that's very different to the rest of the country, not least because it has its own public holidays and Christmas traditions.

And the ballot for Paris 2024 Olympics tickets opens on Thursday. We give you all the info and tips on how you can get your hands on some.

As always I'll be joined by The Local France's editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield, French language expert Camille Chevalier Kharfis and special guest Jim Bittermann from CNN.

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In this week's episode of Talking France we find out why people in the country could be facing a "tsunami" of rising prices in the months ahead.

The mayor of Paris is considering a ban on electric scooter rental schemes. Are they just too dangerous or do they offer a vital, environmentally friendly and exciting way to get around the City of Light? We hear both sides of the argument.

We also learn about a French philosopher known as BHL and find out why he's always in war zones... with his shirt half unbuttoned and his hair immaculately coiffed.

And have you ever wondered why the streets of French town and city centres are home to so many independent shops and cafes rather than just the chain stores? We explain why.

And a new international ranking shows the French are still lagging behind almost all of Europe when it comes to proficiency in speaking English. Now we at The Local are in no place to lecture anyone about language ability but are there reasons the French struggle compared to the Germans or Nordic countries and could they one day top the rankings?

Host Ben McPartland iss joined by our usual guests The Local France's editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield, politics analyst John Lichfield and language expert Camille Chevalier-Karfis.

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It’s Beaujolais Nouveau day, when the 2022 batch of Beaujolais wines hits the shelves. We’ll explain why it’s such a big event – but why it was even bigger in the 1980s.

• Does Beaujolais Nouveau wine deserve its bad reputation?

This week we also discuss bullfighting, yes bullfighting exists in France, well at least in certain parts of the country. But for how much longer? The controversial blood-sport is in the line of fire of lawmakers and animal rights groups.

• EXPLAINED: Could bullfighting finally be banned in France?

We’ll also discuss why John Lichfield believes France is facing a “dangerous moment” with fuel prices set to soar once again.

“We are just four years on from the Gilets Jaunes movement which was a protest against the threat of rising fuel prices. But these (protest movements) tend to develop very quickly like a squall and we could see a lot of problems in the weeks ahead,” said John.

• French petrol stations run dry with fuel prices set to rise

Also in this week’s episode we look at whether €72.2 million could bring an end to the dangerous and deadly Channel migrant crossings and what happened to the 234 migrants on a rescue ship that was allowed to dock in France.

• OPINION: France and the UK need to get real if they really want stop Channel migrant crossings

And we’ll also hear about an almighty row involving the man some call “France’s Rupert Murdoch” and learn some French insults that we don’t recommend you use – (but they are useful to know).

Do you live on the coast of France? A new report has mapped out those parts of the country’s coastline which could one day be under water. We’ll take you through them to see if you area or favourite coastal resort in France is affected.

• MAPS: The parts of France set to be underwater as sea levels rise

Our host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France’s journalists Gen Mansfield and James Harrington, our politics expert John Lichfield and special guest Caroline Conner from Lyon Wine Tastings.

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As usual this week we will be talking about the main news in France and also digging into some interesting subjects that really help explain the country and its culture to you, our listeners.

Up first we'll bring you the main talking points from the week including a look at the new president of the French far right. He's only 27 years old. Also will there be Christmas lights in French cities and towns this year and why is Miss France in hot water?

We'll also bring you up to date on France's new immigration bill including a plan to introduce French language tests for certain residency permits. Should foreign residents in France be nervous about this?

We'll also explore what a planned new passport checking system, due to be rolled out in France and across the EU next year, will mean for anyone travelling to the country. 

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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.

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