This week we'll explain a spate of recent worrying kidnappings in France and what the French government is doing to halt them, plus we'll try and alleviate any fears for tourists in Paris after reports of two Americans being attacked by a street vendor wielding mini-Eiffel towers.

We'll also look at how you might be affected by the agreements drawn up in the much-hyped UK - EU post Brexit deal thrashed out this week and compare hospital waiting times around the country.

And stay to the end to find out all about the challenges and benefits of buying a second home in different parts of France and the important factors buyers need to consider before they take the plunge.

But we'll start off the show this week by talking about smurfs!

And to do all this host Ben McPartland will call upon the trusty help of editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert and fish fanatic John Lichfield.

EXTRA READING:

• What does UK-EU 'reset' deal really mean for Brits in France?
• Everything you need to know about buying a second home in different parts of France
• French town breaks world record for number of smurfs
• The 14 scams that tourists in Paris need to be aware of
• French crypto boss hails 'heroic' duo for foiling kidnap bid

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This week we hear about how the unpopular President Emmanuel Macron plans to box himself out of a corner into the centre of the ring and if he’s actually going to hold any of his much talked about referendums.

We’ll also find out about France’s urban rodeos and why they are so popular but also so dangerous.

We’ll hear why the scandalous Dreyfus affair is such a key moment in French history, and why the impact is still being felt today.

We’ll explain why we shouldn’t complain too much about all the bureaucracy in France and the little known rules around what you can bring on the Paris Metro - plants, dogs, suitcases… we’ve cleared it all for you so you don’t get fined.

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

Further reading:

• Macron backs holding referendums on French social and economic reforms
• What are France's 'urban rodeos'?
• French lawmakers want Dreyfus promoted 130 years after scandal
• OPINION: Let's stop complaining, French bureaucracy really isn't that bad
• Paris woman fined €150 for taking 'too large' plant on the Metro
• Suitcases, pets and DIY equipment - what can you take on the Paris Metro?

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In the show this week, French interior minister has announced plans to toughen up the requirements for becoming French - including a possible new history and civics test. We'll look at what he's got in mind for future citizenship applicants and most importantly whether it will actually change anything.

We'll also find out about new proposals in France to get kids off their screens. Could France make Instagram go black and white?

And organised crime has hit the headline in France recently after a string of dramatic attacks on prisons. We'll find out how the government wants to bang up the bandits.

And finally one French city faces an uncertain future because it's apparently built on very holy Swiss cheese and the mayor is worried it's all about to be gobbled up.

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

Further reading

• OPINION: France's plan to 'toughen up' citizenship rules is just more smoke and mirrors
• Why do French ministers love to send 'circulaires'?
• France's ex-PM calls ‘state of emergency’ over children’s screen use
• France charges 21 prison attack suspects
• 'Swiss cheese': Why this French city is worried about sinkholes

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For this week's big talking points we'll look at what's happening on May Day in France, why French bakers are up in arms this year and whether there'll be any riots.

And the future of France is at stake, according to the French PM and he's blaming the French for not working hard enough. We'll find out what needs to happen for France to be saved.

And we'll hear why Americans are all moving to the French Riviera, why French doctors are not helping find a cure for the country's health problems and..... and .... whether ants in France could give you an electric shock.

Yep stay to the end to find out exactly what I'm talking about.

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

Articles to read:

• Demos and flowers: What May 1st really means to the French
• What to expect from France's 2025 May Day protests
• France debates stricter rules on doctors' practices in order to combat 'medical deserts'
• OPINION: French doctors cannot avoid regulation for ever
• Is France really planning a 'tax raid' on pensioners?
• 'A really efficient city': Why more and more Americans are moving to Nice
• Ant warning over France's Linky electricity meters

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It might be two years but the race - albeit a marathon rather than a sprint - to be the next president of France has already started. We’ll hear about who’s in the running, who might be out of it, and who has the best chance of winning.

And we’ll tell you why US president Donald Trump is targeting a tiny French overseas territory and why Emmanuel Macron called on French companies to suspend investment in the US. 

We’ll find out about some historic French sites threatened with collapse or disappearing into the sea, like one unique fortress off the west coast that’s housed soldiers as well as tigers, snakes and spiders.

And we’ll explore some rather unknown French laws that come into force this spring that involve anything from garden hedges to dogs. Listen to the end and we might save you from being fined.

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

Further reading:

• OPINION: The race to defeat the French far right in 2027 starts now
• Saint Pierre et Miquelon: Why does France have two islands off the Canadian coast?
• Macron calls for suspension of investment in US until tariffs clarified
• Fort Boyard: How France plans to save its game-show fortress
• Cars, dogs and hedges: 5 little-known rules for life in France
• Flying bells and giant omelettes: 8 ways the French celebrate Easter

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This new episode is not one you want to miss because shockwaves rippled around France this week when it was announced far right leader Marine Le Pen had been banned from standing for political office for the next five years. This could of course rule her out of the 2027 French presidential election.

It's a huge story, it's all kicked off and we'll have all the latest looking at what happens next, what impact will the verdict have on French voters and whether Le Pen can somehow still make it to the starting blocks for that key 2027 election.

And another row has flared up between France and the US this week that has angered many on this side of the Atlantic. We’ll explain what’s ignited that argument.

And away from politics we'll fill you in on the apparent conflict spilling over in French bars and pubs across the country over the size of a beer glass.

And we'll reveal France's favourite French dishes and voted for by ...the French and decide which region of the country can claim to be Queen of cuisine!

Ben McPartland your host is joined as ever by the team at The Local France Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• OPINION: Marine Le Pen is a martyr to nothing but her own greed and arrogance
• Appeals and rallies: What next for Marine Le Pen and the French far right?
• Does France practice 'diversity, equity and inclusion'?
• France slams US 'interference' in firms' diversity programmes
• The 'pint wars' raging in French bars and cafés
• Which French foods do French people love the most?

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This week we'll look at a potential earthquake in French politics that could strike next week. That's when far right leader Marine Le Pen will find out whether she's been banned from standing in elections. Could she be banned? Should she be banned? What will happen if she is? We'll delve deep into all of those questions and try to come with some answers.

We'll also find out about McDonald's vision of conquering rural France. Can the US fast food giant win the hearts and stomachs of French villagers?

We'll explain why France is once again arguing over the rules of surrogacy and how the law compares to elsewhere in Europe plus we'll examine whether Ryanair has followed through with its threat to pull out of France.

And we'll tell you the story of how Asterix and Obelix resisted the Romans but conquered France.

Host Ben McPartland and is joined by the team at the Local France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield, who, if he was a character in Asterix he’d be called Politix.

Related reading:

• OPINION: Le Pen's future hangs in the balance, and France is heading for a messy constitutional row
• Asterix: Five things to know about France's favourite character
• McDonald's targets French villages with plans for 50 new outlets
• Reader question: Is McDonald's really healthier in France?
• What are France's rules on surrogacy?
• What happened Ryanair's threats to pull out of France over 'eco tax'?
• LISTED: All the new flights to and from France in Spring 2025

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This week we look at the earthquake risks in different parts of France after the city of Nice and the surrounding area was recently shaken by a 4.1 magnitude tremor. Scientists say France should expect a big quake one day, but do we know where and when?

We also wade into a new transatlantic war of words over the Statue of Liberty and look at what else France has given the United States over the years.

We explain a new and very innovative plan to combat drought in the south of France and find out when foreigners living here will be able to do most of their admin online like the French are doing more and more with a new digital ID.

And we explain how to avoid being scammed and needlessly paying far too much when getting an ETA visa waiver to go the UK, which will be required from next month.

Host Ben McPartland is joined today by the dazzling duo from The Local France, Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield.

Useful websites

In this episode, we reference three websites that you may find useful.

• To look at the risk of earthquakes and other natural disasters near you, try going to the French government website Géorisques.
• To keep track of water restrictions in France, use the vigieau.gouv.fr website. 
• And finally for the UK's ETA visa waiver, the genuine site can be found here - look out for the prefix www.gov.uk indicating a genuine UK government website

Further reading:

• MAP: The parts of France most at risk from earthquakes
• Where to find France's 12 Statues of Liberty
• Eleven things the French have given America
• Drought-prone southern France to inaugurate first 'air-to-water' plant
• What is France Identité and can foreigners use it?
• How to avoid ETA scams for France-UK travel
• Do Franco-British dual nationals need an ETA to travel to UK?

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This week we look at how the international crisis is impacting France. 

Is President Emmanuel Macron a war monger and making the most of it all to boost his flagging popularity as his critics say, or is he the right man at the right time to lead France and Europe through increasingly stormy waters. And we look at the battle for French public opinion between Macron and the country’s increasingly influential pro-Russian media baron.

We also find out about a move to allow rural French villages to open up new bars and cafes. Will they restore a vital social life to isolated hamlets or simply encourage alcohol abuse among locals.

We also explore how France helps its youngsters become culture vultures and why it's perhaps no surprise that bombs left over from the World Wars are still causing travel chaos decades on, not to mention injuries and even deaths.

And we find out why many Americans in France are angry right now and the reasons why many more of their compatriots are making the move across the Atlantic. 

Host Ben McPartland is joined this week by the team at The Local France Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• OPINION: Macron is no warmonger, whatever France’s pro-Putin billionaire says
• France moves to bring back village bars in bid to boost rural social lives
• OPINION: Does rural France actually need ‘saving’?
• What is France’s ‘culture pass’ and how is it changing in 2025?
• How France is still littered with unexploded bombs from the World Wars
• ‘Trump was final straw’: Why Americans are moving to France
• ‘The US doesn’t care about us’: Americans in France protest planned consulate closures

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We start off this week by jumping straight into the increasingly choppy waters of international relations and examine whether France has a strong enough military to help bring peace to Europe and whether Emmanuel Macron has any influence at all over Donald Trump.

We also explain how the UK's new travel authorisation scheme could affect you and your family in France and explain why a 102-year-old Frenchman named Albert is suing the government.

We also look at why France hasn't quite experienced the anti-tourism backlash as seen in neighbouring Spain and try to decipher the laws around the hijab as French senators propose another tightening of restrictions around the garment.

Host Ben McPartland and I'll be joined for this new series of Talking France by the team at The Local: Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• EXPLAINED: Does France really have a hijab ban?
• OPINION: France and the UK may be willing to send troops to Ukraine, but do they have the military strength?
• Will I need an ETA visa for my French spouse or children?
• The French cities cracking down on Airbnb with key box bans
• Frenchman, 102, sues government over WWII forced labour in Germany
• Why is mass tourism such a problem in Spain but not in France?

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