Talking France

This week we'll find out about how toxic green algae on Brittany's famously picturesque beaches claimed the life of a French jogger and perhaps others plus the role French farming and even the state played in his death.

We'll also look at the far less sparkly side of France's prestigious Champagne industry that's exposed how badly grape pickers are treated and bring you all the details about how you can take a swim in the Seine in the heart of Paris this summer.

And we'll explore why France has avoided the kind of anti-tourism protests seen in Spain and look at some of the famous French sites that have been hit by over-tourism and offer you some fantastic alternatives instead.

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

Extra reading:

• Green algae found along French coastline responsible for jogger's death, rules court
• 10 alternatives to France's overcrowded tourist hotspots
• French champagne makers face human trafficking trial
• Everything you need to know about swimming in the Seine in Paris this summer
• How has France avoided Europe's anti-tourism protests?

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Up this week : It's been another bad week for the reputation of French politicians. We'll discuss why they are so naughty, and when I say naughty I mean corrupt, rather than bed hopping.

And we'll also bring you the good news that Paris and Charles de Gaulle airport will soon have a direct train link that's been centuries in the making. Although there's some bad news too given how much it's going to cost.

We'll find out why France has been so successful in creating high speed trains and not so good at local rail links, why the French name police are so powerful and whether or not foreigners in France should swear like a local.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's mostly foulmouthed duo Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield as well as the always elegantly spoken John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• The French baby names banned by law
• 'It doesn't sound as vulgar': The verdict on swearing in French
• French ex-president Sarkozy stripped of Legion of Honour
• French ex-PM Fillon given suspended prison sentence over wife's fake job
• 'Rail golden age': French trains more popular than ever (despite strike threats)

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This week we discuss a shocking incident which saw a teaching assistant stabbed to death by a pupil outside a French secondary school, and find out what the government plans to do, to tackle what the president has described as a "senseless wave of violence".

We'll also find out about the efforts Paris is going to to protect the Seine and reveal all about Paris's second, secret river, that may be given a new life.

We'll find out whether flight passengers in France and around Europe are going to lose out through a planned change in the compensation rules and we'll examine the threat of violence linked to far right extremism in France after a Tunisian was murdered in a suspected terror attack.

And stay to the end to see whether you can spot which famous world changing inventions came from France and which very French-sounding creations didn't.

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

EXTRA READING

• France eyes social media ban for under-15s after school stabbing
• 12 world-changing inventions that came from France
• Paris unveils plans to bring forgotten underground river back to surface
• Paris seeks personhood status for River Seine
• ANALYSIS: How much of a threat is extreme-right violence in France?
• Passenger compensation for flight delays set to decrease in Europe

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This week we'll explain the ongoing and far-from-brotherly dispute behind the different kinds of taxi drivers in France and whether they'll ever declare peace with each other.

We'll examine why France's efforts to clean up the air in its polluted cities might be about to go up in smoke and explain France's new rules on smoking outdoors - and how they will impact both smokers and non-smokers.

And we'll explain the tricky rules around remote working in France with the help of new information sent to us from French tax authorities.

And stay to the end to find out whether French drivers behave better on the roads than their counterparts across Europe and we'll have a handy tip for what to do when you are being tailgated in France.

Host Ben McPartland is joined at the wheel by our team of rogue drivers, Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics and driving expert John Lichfield.

EXTRA READING:

• What you need to know about taking a taxi in Paris
• Explained: France's new smoking ban rules
• So you want to move to France and work remotely?
• Is this the end of France's Crit'Air zones for drivers?
• Swearing, honking and tailgating: French drivers ranked among worst in Europe

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In the line up this week we'll explain what prompted the huge reaction to that coming together between Brigitte Macron's hands and Emmanuel Macron's face. 

You must have seen the video by now. We don't know what happened but we do know what happened next.

And from taxi driver blockades to farmers protesting in tractors and mysterious blackouts in the south, we'll bring you the latest on ongoing protests and disruption around the country as well as explain the huge paradox in French food farming.

And on the subject of food, why - if France has the perfect diet and all French people are slim and in shape as the cliche goes - is the government bringing out an obesity plan which many say is long overdue.

We'll also find out about the worst French city to be in during a heatwave and which of the country's famous museums and galleries will be charging non-EU residents more to enter.

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

Essential reading:

• Eight of the biggest sex scandals that rocked French politics
• Fire cuts power to 45,000 in French Riviera as sabotage suspected
• OPINION: Tractor protests expose the hypocrisy of French farming policies
• How serious is France's obesity problem?
• MAPS: The top five worst French cities to spend a heatwave in
• French museums plan to hike prices for non-EU visitors

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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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