Talking France

In this week's episode we'll discuss the ongoing and worsening fuel crisis in the country. 

With drivers having to queue for hours to fill up their cars and the French government taking the bold step of forcing strikers back to work tensions are high. Are we heading for a winter of discontent?

We'll also hear about the changing eating habits of the French.

In the country of Boeuf Bourguignon and steak frites is meat now becoming too hard to digest for a younger, more environmentally conscious generation?

We'll hear about how one of France's most famous Christmas markets is cracking down on tacky products - including, believe it or not Champagne.

And the battle against the influence of English words in the French language goes on. Are the guardians of la langue francais right to protect the language of Moliere against the language of Shakespeare and the Spice Girls? Or is it futile?

Joining me will be The Local France's editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and French politics expert John Lichfield.

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In the new episode of Talking France, we'll be discussing why storm clouds are gathering over the French parliament and why the next few weeks and months look set to be tempestuous for President Emmanuel Macron and his government. We'll lay out the battles that lie ahead and what's likely to happen.

And we'll also hear about yet more of Macron's ministers and advisors landing in hot water and what it could all mean for the president.

We'll hear about why French towns are boycotting the world's biggest sporting event, an historic moment for the Paris Metro and we'll bring you the definitive answer to the question: "what is the best part of France's coastline?"

We'll also try to answer that age old question of "Whether French workers are the biggest strikers of them all?"

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In today's episode we'll look at whether France is heading for another wave of strikes and protests prompted by yet another pension reform.

Yes, nothing riles France's unions more than a proposal to make people work for longer in life but that's what President Emmanuel Macron wants to do. We'll find out why and what's likely to happen.

We'll also discuss why wearing a roll-neck jumper is the latest energy saving measure recommended by the French government.

We'll examine what's gone wrong with the Eurostar and find out why Brexit is partly to blame for higher prices and longer queues on the Paris to London rail service.

We'll also hear about a battle brewing between mussel farmers and spider crabs on the French coast and learn about that famous autumn Gallic pastime of mushroom foraging and why it's more dangerous than you'd think.

And stay with us until the end to learn some useful French vocab and expressions.

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In our latest episode of Talking France - a podcast in which our team at The Local, including French politics expert John Lichfield, discuss all things French, we look at the main talking points in France this week.

We explain the new French government website ministers want us to sign up to and why it might help avoid power cuts this winter.

We'll examine how skiing in the Alps or Pyrenees might be different for winter holidaymakers this year and whether all the money the French government is ploughing into cycling will improve safety.

With the help of John Lichfield we'll discuss the crisis on the French left brought about by claims and admissions of domestic abuse by two prominent figures. 

Is this the beginning of the end for the seemingly invincible Jean-Luc Mélenchon?

"It's never been possible to criticise Mélenchon internally within his own party, but it is now," John Lichfield tells Talking France.

And John will also look at the contrast between the struggles of President Emmanuel Macron at home and his strong showing on the international stage, not least with his powerful speech at the UN this week.

Macron is strong and forthright abroad but lost and depressed at home, John tells the podcast.

On a lighter note we'll delve into the French tradition of afternoon snacking, the one "meal" of the day when the French - or at least the kids - can anyway without eating absolute "crap".

Talking France is a free podcast open to all. It's funded by readers becoming members of The Local. If you like what you listen to please leave a review on Spotify, or Apple / Google Podcasts. 

And always feel free to email us with feedback at [email protected]

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On this week's episode we'll discuss everything from France's love for the British queen, problems with French nuclear power, the long-awaited return of Dijon mustard to supermarket shelves and what the devastating wildfires could mean for France's fine wines.

We'll also look at why the thorny issue of euthanasia and assisted dying is back in the news in France and how President Emmanuel Macron is hoping to settle the country's law on the right to die once and for all .

But is a referendum really the best way to do that?

And we'll bring you much, much more including some French vocab to learn and the one French TV show you really should tune into this autumn?

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This is our final episode of Talking France before we, like the rest of France, take a summer break.

There is a lot to discuss as we look into what the next few weeks have in store for France.

From the return of Covid-19 to the summer get away and from the political chaos to the threat of strikes we will explore what could happen over the next few weeks.

We'll also learn a thing or three about the French Constitution and discover whether the French really do eat frogs legs, snails and horse as the stereotype has us believe.

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In a very dramatic week for France, The Local's Talking France podcast is back, digesting the political crisis, as well as discussing the summer sales, the expanding train network and whether people in France really work just 35 hours a week.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by Local France editor Emma Pearson, reporter Genevieve Mansfield and political expert John Lichfield to dissect the aftermath of the parliamentary election that has plunged France into a political crisis.

We look at what happened, what Emmanuel Macron’s options are for the months ahead and how the far-right ended up with so many seats in parliament.

John Lichfield told us: “We are in an unknown situation for this generation of politicians – they are not used to this type of haggling, trying to form majorities on different issues or alliances. This is not something that has been happening in France for half a century or more.

“In the 1940s and early 1950s there were frequent French parliaments that had no majority, revolving door governments, prime ministers who lasted only a few weeks – that’s not really happened since the system was changed by Charles de Gaulle.”

Stepping away from politics, we’re getting on the train – the latest travel trend is for swapping planes for trains and France is great place to do this thanks to the high-speed TGV network. The country also has some exciting plans for more night-trains and international travel to and from France is also under expansion.

As the summer sales begin, Gen explains how les soldes came about and why it is that the French government so strictly regulates them.

And we’re looking at one of the big questions about France – does everyone here really only work 35 hours a week?

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As France bakes under an unusually early heatwave, the latest edition of Talking France examines how French cities are adapting to the new reality of hotter summers, as well as discussing French regional rivalries, the latest strike action and the reality of driving in France.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by Local France editor Emma Pearson and reporter Genevieve Mansfield to discuss all the latest talking points in France – from the neck-and-neck elections on Sunday to the threatened summer of strikes.

As temperature records break around France, we’re also looking at how French cities are adapting to the climate crisis – particularly the northern cities that are badly designed for the scorching summers that are the new reality.

As ever we are answering questions from listeners – this week you asked us about the biggest regional rivalries, from sports to boundary disputes, food wars to flag rivalry.

And we also explain three things you need to know about French autoroutes – from the rules of the road to how it is that they came to be operated by private companies and how those toll prices are set.

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In this episode of Talking France we'll be looking at the upcoming parliamentary elections - which are struggling to attract interest of voters despite being crucial for what happens over the next five years - French inheritance law, celebrity love affairs and France's best music festival.

Ben McPartland is joined by France editor Emma Pearson, reporter Genevieve Mansfield and veteran political correspondent John Lichfield to examine the big news stories and the talking points from France this week.

Sunday marks the first round of voting in the parliamentary elections. We're looking at why these are important, the faces to look out for and of course trying to weigh up what will happen.

We also shine a light on the big talking points in France this week - from financial aid with the cost of living crisis to a celebrity wedding and one of France's least known regional languages.

As ever we're answering questions from readers - this week it's one for property owners, what are the rules around inheritance in France?

And we're talking a look at what is on the horizon in France, including one of the best festivals of the year - the Fête de la musique.

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