Talking France

Up for discussion this week is what's been described as "the most violent austerity plan France has ever seen." We find out just how painful the new budget will be for people in France.

And apart from the budget, there's a planned new immigration bill that could also spell bad news for foreigners in France. We find out more.

And did you know around 150 movies and TV series are filmed in Paris each year? We explain why the film industry means big business in the French capital.

We run through the many different types of parties you can get invited to in France from a dining aperitif to the burial of a young girl's life.

We also explain why doliprane - that's French paracetamol - is giving many in France a huge headache right now.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's editor Emma Pearson and politics expert John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• How will France's 'tough' 2025 budget affect you?
• French unions call strike over Doliprane firm sale
• Teachers in France threaten strikes until March over budget cuts
• How could (another) new immigration law affect foreigners in France?
• Why is Paris a world leader for film and TV?
• Apéro to bal: Explaining the different types of parties in France

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The big news this week in France is that the mythical golden owl, a treasure people in France have been hunting for for three decades, has finally been found. 

If you have no idea what I'm talking about please stay tuned. This week we'll also get the calculator out and find out if France's autumn budget - described as the toughest and most important in 50 years - will solve any of the country's financial problems. Or will it just give you financial problems with major cuts and tax hikes ahead.

We'll also explore the real differences and divisions between Paris and the rest of France whether it's the quality of the healthcare you receive or the salaries you can earn.

The French PM has announced a major change to the carte vitale, those green health cards we all have to carry in France. But how will foreign residents be affected?

And as more Alps ski resorts close their lifts for good, is climate change putting the French off skiing and who will lose out the most?

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

Just a reminder that if you like the podcast, please consider becoming a member of The Local France. Not only will you be helping us to be able to continue producing episodes of Talking France, but you'll also get full access to the scores of articles the team produces each week. You can join in just a couple of minutes by visiting The Local.fr.

Extra reading:

• OPINION: 50 years of French state over-spending won't be solved in one Budget
• Golden owls to fine wines - 5 of France's biggest treasure hunts
• 9 ways Paris is different from the rest of France
• Who will be hit by tax rises in France?
• France pushes ahead with changes to carte vitale health card

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Up for discussion this week is the French PM's key policy speech and why it sounded like a wedding speech by a bride's grandfather. Plus, does the PM have a chance of getting anything done and will the gaping hole in the country's money box spell doom for us all here in France?

On a more positive note we'll put France's interior minister to rights by introducing you to some foreign immigrants who really did help make France the country it is today. 

We'll also introduce you to some dinosaurs that made Charente in south western France their home and explore whether a solution has been found to boost public transport in rural France.

And finally French kissing is a subject some of us are experts on here at The Local so we will find out whether the covid pandemic killed off la bise - the french greeting kiss of course.

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

Extra reading:

• 'It comes naturally now' - How foreigners in France adapt to la bise
• Immigration, debt and compromise: The priorities of France's new government
• New species of dinosaur discovered in south-west France
• Will France's rural rail networks be revived?
• OPINION: Barnier has a plan for France, if Le Pen will let him

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In this new episode we take a look at France's new government. It's been dubbed a government of "losers" and we'll get to the bottom of who's in it, how long it might last and whether foreigners in France should be wary of the direction it takes.

We also find out why the Chinese are giving France's cognac makers a huge headache, whether Paris deserves its reputation as the "City of Rats", and look at the future of two important airport hubs in south west France.

And we also find out whether the EU could stub out smoking once and for all on French café terraces.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by my usual cabinet, Emma Pearson our minister of interior and French alcohol, Gen Mansfield, minister for transport and rodents and John Lichfield our secretary of state for the defence... of French politics.

Extra reading:

• OPINION: Barnier's fragile and muddled government reflects the France of today
• INTERVIEW: 'Bordeaux airport will recover from loss of Ryanair in two years'
• French cognac makers see red over Chinese tariff threats
• Paris 'rat-catcher' mayor invited to New York to share tips
• Is the EU really going to ban smoking on French café terraces?
• From calvados to chartreuse: The ultimate booze map of France

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This week we'll get the latest on the never-ending story that is France's quest to find a new government and find out if the country is facing imminent tax hikes to plug the gaping deficit.

We also look at which are the best cities in France when it comes to having access to everything you need for everyday life. Plus we explore where are the most remote parts of the country where you'll be content if all you need for everyday life is peace and quiet.

We also explain why you might face more border checks travelling within the border-free Schengen zone and why the UK will soon charge foreign visitors around 12 euros.

We hear new French food rules for feeding kids at home and explore and we explore, with the help of our listeners and readers, if croissants and baguettes in France are getting worse!

Ben McPartland your host is joined by our specialist panel of border, food and politics experts from The Local France Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• Paris and Milan judged closest in the world to becoming '15-minute' cities
• REVEALED: Where are the most remote parts of France?
• Which French cities have the best local amenities close by?
• What French doctors say children should eat
• 'Tastes like straw' - French croissants really getting worse?
• OPINION: Do kids in France get the best school lunches in the world?

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Talking France is back with a new series. This week, we'll bring you right up to date with the political shenanigans in France and examine whether there will be any positive legacy for Paris now the Olympics are over.

Remember the political crisis that was paused over the summer? Well French politicians have pressed the play button again and the drama continues to be gripping. 

We'll run the rule over the new French PM and look ahead to what's coming and how long he'll last in the job.

We'll also look back to the Paris Olympic and paralympic games and examine what, if any, will be the lasting legacy for the French capital - apart from the rings on the Eiffel Tower.

Once again host Ben McPartland will draw on the wisdom of the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson our editor, Gen Mansfield our journalist and John Lichfield our French politics wizard.

If you are a regular listener please consider becoming a member of The Local France to help keep this podcast going and if you have time please leave a review on the platform you use to listen to Talking France. This helps us be found by people looking for podcasts about France.

Extra reading:

• John Lichfield: With Michel Barnier as PM France is retreating to the 1950s
• Can Paris make the Metro fully accessible for those with disabilities?
• Deals and discounts: How to save money on train travel in France this autumn?
• The key post Olympics Paris travel changes you need to know
• What will happen to flights at Bordeaux airport when Ryanair leaves?

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In the last episode before the summer break we focus on the post-election political crisis that is gripping France.

We've had the elections, they produced a shock result and although there were some losers - namely Marine Le Pen’s far right which finished third despite pollsters predictions that they would win - there wasn't really a clear winner. So what happens now? When will France get a new government? If its the leftist alliance then what will they do in power?

Or will nothing happen and will frustration among politicians boil over into protests and unrest on the streets this summer?

Surely France can't let that happen because we've got the Olympics coming up and it's vital that it all runs smoothly. But will it all go to plan? We'll find out the latest with the opening ceremony approaching fast.

And away from the political crisis and olympics anxiety we look ahead to this summer in France. 

Ben McPartland your host is joined for one more time by the team at The Local France : Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and our French politics guru John Lichfield.

Thanks to all our listeners for tuning in during this latest season. We'll be back in September when no doubt there'll be a lot of talking points to catch up on. In the meantime please consider joining The Local to help us continue producing this weekly podcast about France.

READ MORE:

• Is France facing a summer of political chaos and unrest?
• 10 maps to help understand France's parliamentary elections
• Explained: The French leftist alliance's programme for government
• Hotels, tickets and scams: What to know about visiting Paris for the 2024 Olympics

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In this special edition of the Talking France podcast we'll look in detail at the shock results of the defining second round of France’s snap parliamentary elections.

We also get all the reaction from the key players, look ahead at what happens next and get all the analysis from our politics expert John Lichfield.

Host Ben McPartland is also joined by The Local France’s Emma Pearson.

READ MORE:

• What happens next in France after bombshell election results?
• French far right blasts 'alliance of dishonour' as left celebrates shock win
• Who will be France's next prime minister?
• OPINION: France has stepped away from the far-right abyss, but into a political morass

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France has voted in the first round of the snap parliamentary poll - an election considered one of the most pivotal in recent French history.

This week, we explain the results, look ahead at what happens over the next few days and what Sunday's second round will bring. Can the far-right get a majority government or will the so-called Republican Front hold firm once again? President Emmanuel Macron is running out of options but what will he do next?

We'll also explain how the far-right's policies on French preference and dual nationality would impact foreign residents.

To answer all these crucial questions and to help explain the messy state of play in France, host Ben McPartland will call on our team at The Local - Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield as well as our French politics expert John Lichfield.

Related articles:

• The best France can hope for now is 12 months of turmoil
• Will the far-right get a majority in the French parliament?
• What happens next in France's key election as far right leads after first round
• What is 'national preference' for the French and how would it hurt foreigners?
• What's at stake for foreigners in France is far-right Jordan Bardella becomes PM?
• Coalition, resignation or shared rule: The possible outcomes of France's snap election

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This episode comes at a crucial time in France's recent history. The first round of France's snap parliamentary elections are on Sunday and there couldn't be more at stake. Is France heading for a political earthquake or can President Emmanuel Macron somehow limit the aftershocks and restore some calm?

We'll look at what lies ahead in the weeks and months to come?

Our French politics expert John Lichfield will explain why he thinks France is heading for deep, dark, unchartered waters.

We'll also explore what the parties on the left, right and centre might do if they get to form the next French government and what we can expect to happen during Sunday's first round.

Away from the elections we'll explain the proposed new law in France that is being described as a "ban on second homes" and who and where it will impact the most.

And was all the talk of the Paris Olympics being unaffordable for most just "project fear"? Whether its travel, accommodation or event tickets we'll explain why you could still get to the Paris Olympics without emptying your bank account.

I'm Ben McPartland and I'll also be joined this week by The Local's Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield.

Related articles:

• France has taken leave of its senses and its no laughing matter
• French elections: What does each party's manifesto promise?
• French election breakdown: TV debates, latest polls and anti-Semitism
• Paris Olympics: The prices to take advantage of as prices fall
• What is France's law to 'ban second homes'?

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