In this week's episode we look at what's ahead for the next three years of Emmanuel Macron's presidency given that he has a new prime minister and a new government in place. We also find out where France's most expensive autoroutes are, explore the part of the country the French dream of moving to and also explain the key differences between public and private schools in France. And the big question we ask this week is whether it's really OK to ask for a doggy bag in a French restaurant.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by the three talking heads of Talking France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

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Further reading:

• OPINION: Macron's government is veering to the right? Hardly.
• OPINION: Macron's gamble is an opportunity and a curse for his new PM
• What are the most expensive autoroutes in France that you might want to avoid?
• 'Autoroute des anglais': Do you know the nicknames of France's autoroutes?
• Are doggy bags taboo in French restaurants?
• Which part of south west France is the top 'dream destination' to move to?

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In this special episode to kick off series 10 of Talking France we answer a selection of questions from our listeners including: Do the French have no sense of humour? Why are there so many speed cameras in France and what's the best way to learn French?

Our politics expert John Lichfield also answers a couple of reader questions including the big one: Can anyone stop Marine Le Pen becoming the next president of France?

And much, much more...

Podcast listeners can become members of The Local for just €1 for the first month by clicking here.

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A big thanks to all our listeners who answered our survey and sent in questions. There were so many that we couldn't answer them all but we picked a good selection. We will try and answer others in articles on the site so keep an eye on our website The Local.fr

Further reading:

• How to find affordable French classes in France
• Explained: What is the French Fifth Republic?
• Tips for learning French as an older person in France
• What to do if you get a speeding ticket in France?
• How to spot France's speed cameras

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This special episode of Talking France is dedicated entirely to looking ahead so you know what to expect in France in 2024.

We'll try and answer some of the big questions about what lies ahead including what could cause the next political crisis in France and will it lead to strikes and street protests? Will Paris be ready for the Olympic Games and is it best just to avoid France all together next summer?

We'll also look at what is the big change for travel that could cause big queues at French borders and will Notre Dame reopen on time?

Listen to the end and you'll be well prepared for 2024 in France.

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

For all our articles on France in 2024 you can visit our dedicated page France in 2024.

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France's controversial immigration bill has passed through parliament. It's been hailed as a victory for the ideas of the far right but just how bad is it for immigrants in France?

We also look at whether France can still call itself a "Catholic" country and where in the country public transport is free and why.

Podcast listeners can become members of The Local for just €1 for the first month by clicking here.

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After Emmanuel Macron was elected president of France he vowed to battle against the ideas of the far right but after his government's controversial immigration bill passed through parliament this week Marine Le Pen has been claiming victory. So what's in this final bill that's causing such an uproar and is it really a big win for Le Pen?

Away from French politics we explore just how Catholic France is, why some groups have even been banned and why certain Catholics say they are treated as second class citizens.

And for anyone who thinks the French are not funny we have a list of some must-watch hilarious French films for you, we look at the list of French towns where you can travel for free on transport and find out what you have to do to be made a knight in France.

Host Ben McPartland is joined this week to help shed light on all these subjects will be The Local France's Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

Further reading:

• Is France's immigration bill really a victory for far-right ideology?
• OPINION: Macronism has not failed but the toughest test is still to come
• French language tests for residency permits: What the new law says
• Think the French aren't funny Try these hilarious films
• 5 things to know about France's Legion d'Honneur
• Where in France can you travel on public transport for free?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of Talking France we look what happens next France’s latest political crisis, we explain the downfall of France’s most famous actor and also find out whether French schools could soon introduce compulsory uniforms.

We'll explain the huge increase in the number of solar farms in France and look at whether it's gone down well in rural France.

We also have explanation for how we can tell the thousands of elected politicians in France apart. It’s something to do with what they wear and how they wear it.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield as well as our politics expert John Lichfield.

Further reading:

• OPINION: The French people are greater losers tan Macron in immigration battle
• 'Fall of the Ogre': Depardieu sparks #MeToo moment in French cinema
• How to tell French politicians apart by their sashes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode we explore whether Paris is a safe city to visit right now, what exactly are France's notorious banlieues and whether they deserve their bad reputation and we'll also look at some of the biggest cliches about the French to see whether there's any truth in them. Are the women all skinny and the men all adulterers?

We’ve got the lowdown on France’s latest cheese battle, and if you are spending Christmas or New Year in France we'll explore how the French do the festive season.

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

Further reading:

• Is Paris a safe city to visit?
• French cheesemakers win battle against EU over Camembert boxes
• Why do French women suffer from 'heavy legs'?
• Do the French still eat frogs legs?
• Do the French do Christmas better than anglo countries?

Busting the biggest cliches about the French and do France's banlieues deserve the bad reputation?

How safe is Paris to visit and busting the biggest cliches about the French

What cliches about the French are true and are France's banlieues all that bad?

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Just how concerned should we be in France over a spike in far right violence after the murder of a young man in a rural village? What are the new international flight and train routes opening in France next year and just how did the French end up with their crazy number system. Should they change it to help us language learners?

These are just three of the many questions we will try to answer in this new episode of Talking France.

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Talking France is a podcast produced by The Local and funded by our members.

If you want to put a question to our team, Emma, Gen and John will be glad to answer. Just tell us in this questionnaire and share any other feed back you have.

Further reading:

• How did the French end up with their crazy numbers?
• New flight routes to France in 2024
• France to ban smoking on beaches in new anti-tobacco plan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could we soon see the end of flight cancellations, delays and general travel misery caused by striking French air traffic controllers? Where is this region region in France where the soil is saturated with gems and why don't the French like to talk about money?

If you want to know the answers to these questions and find out why the French won't let MEPs leave Strasbourg and learn about the regional stereotypes in France then stay tuned to this latest episode of Talking France, brought to you by The Local.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by the editorial team in Paris, Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield and our politics expert John Lichfield will join us on the line from Normandy.

Please take a minute to fill out our feedback survey and pose a question about France to the team that we will try and answer in a bonus episode.

Further reading:

• French farmer sued after digging for sapphires in Auvergne soil
• Are money and sex really taboo subjects in France?
• What is France's new law to limit air traffic control strikes and will it work?
• Is there any truth to France's regional stereotypes?

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This week our team will bring you up to date on that latest on some important changes to immigration rules in France, including one for British second home owners and look at whether they will actually come into law. Plus we'll look at myths around Napoleon ahead of the new blockbuster film, explain the importance of French patisseries and find out where in France you will live the longest. Plus we need you to fill in this questionnaire about Talking France!

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Welcome to a new episode of Talking France.

In this week's show we will take a look at how French senators have hijacked France's controversial immigration bill including a move to help out British second home owners and toughen up the rules about bringing family members to France.

But will there be anything left of their meddling once this bill becomes law? 

We will also find out in which part of France you can expect to live the longest. You will likely be surprised by the answer, but we'll explain the reasons why.

And you might have noticed we love talking about French food on this podcast, this week we'll hear why French patisserie makers are held in such high regard here - and even have their own patron saint. 

We'll also find out how life in France will be getting more expensive next year and with a new blockbuster film coming out about French Emperor Napoleon, we'll bust a few myths about the little man, such as, was he actually little?

Host Ben McPartland is joined once again to talk about France is the team from The Local, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

We also just have a special request for listeners. We want to produce a special episode based wholly on your questions about France, French culture and life in the country. You can send us your questions and any other suggestions via this survey here. We'd be really grateful if you could take a minute to fill it in.

Further reading:

• What's in the French Senate's immigration bill - and does it matter?
• How much more expensive will life in France be in 2024?
• MAP - Where in France do people have the longest life expectancy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's new episode we examine why the French can't bear spicy food and take a look at just how elitist the country is especially when it comes to its schools and universities. And for second home owners and regular visitors we take a look at what might happen if you don't respect that pesky 90-day rule and stay too long in France. Could you banned from the EU? Plus much much more for anyone interested in France.

See below for related articles.

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Hello and welcome to a new series of Talking France.

Hi to all our regular listeners thanks for joining us again and a big welcome to anyone listening for the first time. Talking France is a podcast produced by the team at The Local France and made possible by our members so thanks to all those listeners who have joined.

If you want to understand the big issues in France right now and learn more about the French way of life and the challenges foreign residents like us face then you are listening to the right podcast.

This week we'll look at why French spelling and grammar has become a divisive issue, why France is surprisingly elitist - especially when it comes to its schools and universities and which part of France is hoping to host the winter olympics in 2030 - if we still have winters in 2030.

We will also try to understand whether there's any truth to claim that the French hate spicy food and try to explain why that might be.

And finally a crucial subject for second home owners and tourists. We'll explain how France enforces the 90 day rule and what the consequences are if you stay too long in the country.

Ben McPartland, your host and joining me once again at our office in Paris is The Local France's dynamic duo Editor Emma Person and journalist Gen Mansfield, plus we'll hear more insight from our politics expert John Lichfield who'll join us from Normandy.

Further reading:

• Making French fully inclusive is a grammatical and political nightmare
• Five things to know about France's 2030 Winter Olympics bid
• Do the French really hate all spicy food?
• How seriously does France enforce the 90-day rule?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.