Talking France

Epizody

• 
  Could France really favour the French over foreigners and who derailed the Normandy train? 16.09.2026 36min

  This week we dig into one of Marine Le Pen's contentious proposals and find out whether the far right leader would actually be able to favour French citizens over foreign national residents if she became president.We'll also find out why French schools are struggling to give students a good education and look at the strange story of a train derailment in rural Normandy that left dozens injured. Was it really sabotage and who could have caused it?Listeners can join The Local for just €29.99 / year. Join today and support Talking France (and get access to scores of weekly articles)We'll also hear about the best films France has to offer and why foreign movie lovers are drawn to them, and we'll bring you some French language tips that will come in handy in bars and restaurants.Host Ben McPartland is joined this week by the team at The Local France - Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and politics expert John Lichfield as well as by Katy Wright in Brittany and special guest and French film expert Manon Kerjean. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  New tipping culture drives the French mad and far-right fractures deepen 09.09.2026 33min

  On the show this week we'll delve into the almighty squabble that ended with the Eiffel Tower closing this week after angry staff walked out.We’ll also look at the growing split in the French far right.Just everything was looking plain sailing for Marine Le Pen on her quest to take the Elysée Palace, could infighting and power struggles undermine her chances?Listeners of Talking France can take advantage of a special half price introductory offer to get access to all the articles on The Local France - and support the podcast at the same time! Join now for just €29.99/year.We'll also find out why French people are up in arms about a new tipping trend and what local authorities are doing to enable people to enjoy a mosquito-free apero each day. Can a mayor's bid to ban mossies really work?And we'll bring you the low down on the French word flipping trick known as verlan - and importantly can non-native speakers like us, actually use it?Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Le Pen's 'vile' election pledge and why French cheese could lose its taste 02.09.2026 40min

  This week we look ahead to the 2027 presidential election which is edging closer. A new poll this week suggested there's only one winner, but could Marine Le Pen trip herself up before she gets over the line?We'll hear about her latest effort to win voters which has been described as "vile" by some and "populist grandstanding by others".We'll also find out whether the locals in Brittany, Normandy and other regions of France really do hate Parisians - and why might that be?Plus we'll bring you a warning over why your French cheese could taste a little different this autumn.Listeners of Talking France can get access to all the articles on The Local France news site for just €29.99 a year. Join now.Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local's Emma Pearson, journalist Katy Wright in Brittany and our French politics expert John Lichfield in Normandy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Food prices, strikes: How the hellish summer has hit life in France 25.08.2026 27min

  Summer is thankfully almost over and September is upon us, which means it's time for a new series of Talking France.Thanks to you all for tuning in to this podcast, which is produced by the team at The Local France and is a must-listen - so they say - for anyone wanting to follow French news, keep up to date with the major changes to life in France and boost their knowledge of French language and culture.On this week's episode we'll look at the impact of France's summer from hell, which saw thousands of lives lost amid the frequent and punishing heatwaves, parts of the country left devastated by unforgiving wildfires and then there’s the ongoing drought the impact of which will soon become clear.We'll also look at the other challenges facing France this September and explain why so many French taxpayers have been targeted by hackers and try to understand why the locals here love to correct our French mistakes - and why we shouldn't be annoyed - even if it can be really bloody annoying.I'm Ben McPartland your host, and I'm joined for this new series by the old team from The Local France, Emma Pearson and Emma Albright. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  France ravaged by climate crisis as wildfires and drought blight summer 29.07.2026 20min

  You are listening to a special summer episode of Talking France podcast and it's a pretty solemn episode too given France is in the midst of unprecedented heatwaves, drought and devastating wildfires.We are recording this at the end of July to bring all you listeners up to date with what's happening in the country right now and look at what might be in store in August. Yep we are still weeks away from the end of summer.We'll get the latest news on the fires and the heatwaves, explain the impact on travel and holiday plans and we'll find out why the country's politicians are failing miserably right now.And for anyone in France we'll run you through some vocab that will come in handy if you are in a part of the country affected by the fires.Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and our French politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Heatwaves, wildfires and border delays: What to expect in France this summer 09.07.2026 17min

  In this week’s episode of Talking France we’ll look ahead to the holiday season in July and August and spell out exactly what you can expect in France this summer from the weather outlook and wildfire alerts to what will happen in French politics and what to expect if you’re travelling to or within France?Remember even though Talking France takes a break over the summer our team will still be covering all the essential news in France so make sure to visit thelocal.fr where you can sign up for our daily newsletters.The Talking France team would like to offer listeners the last chance to join The Local using our half-price introductory offer. Just click on this link to take advantage of it. Members, feel free to pass the offer on to friends and family.I’m Ben McPartland and I’ll be joined by The Local France’s Emma Pearson and politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  French clash over air conditioning and how France became the best place to get naked 01.07.2026 35min

  Welcome to a new episode of Talking France. It’s our penultimate episode before we take a summer break and it’s a jam-packed one full of the latest news, talking points and flare ups from France.We’ll start with the fall out from the unprecedented and deadly heatwave that hit France in the second half of June.SPECIAL OFFER: Listeners can read The Local France for half price - (Introductory offer for new members)Thankfully the weather is slightly cooler as we record this episode, but politicians in the country are still overheating when it comes to what to do - and the focus of everyone’s attention and ire has fallen on… air conditioning.We’ll explain the row and who is on which side.We’ll also look at why France is the best place in Europe, perhaps even the world to be a naturist after one member of the Talking France team spent time on a naturist beach in the south of France.We’ll also get the answers to some key questions about drinking French wine in summer and learn the lingo you need if you are in France in July and August.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and our politics expert John Lichfield, plus our wine specialist Caroline Fazeli will be joining us fr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Is France prepared to face more hellish heatwaves and why the French are ruling the World Cup? 24.06.2026 37min

  On this week's show we discuss the heat, yes France and the rest of Europe is in the grip of another brutal heatwave - and it's still only June.We'll look at the huge impact it's having on daily life in France and why the country isn't better prepared to deal with spells of extreme heat - given we know they are only going to become frequent and even hotter. And we’ll explain some important rules about getting naked when it’s hot in France.Away from the weather we'll look at why France has 99 players at the World Cup including 54 from the Paris region alone.  Yes it's all about dual nationals - but do some people in France still not accept them playing for the national team?Listeners of Talking France can get full access to all our articles for just €29.99 a year with our introductory offer. Join today.And we'll hear from readers about their biggest worries about moving to France from concerns about language and taxes to outright panic over where to find a decent bag of crisps.And we'll enable you to have a conversation in French about heatwaves and the climate crisis. The words and expressions will, I can assure you, come in handy.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team from The Local France Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Macron’s swan song, why France is mad for roundabouts and how Lyon became the home of gastronomy 16.06.2026 31min

  This week we’ll look at whether Emmanuel Macron can land any knock out blows for Europe as he welcomes global leaders including Donald Trump to France for what’s been dubbed as his swansong in the international arena.And we’ll have answers to two of the big questions visitors to Paris have about the French capital’s transport system, we’ll find out whether it’s true that France has more roundabouts than every other country in the world put together - or something like that. And we’ll look at whether Lyon really is the best place in France for a beautiful gastro experience - I’m talking fine dining of course not diarrhoea. And we’ll explain how you can get cheap access to hundreds of fantastic cultural sites across France.Im host Ben McPartland and I’ll be joined by The Local France’s editor Emma Pearson, politics expert John Lichfield and special guest Carolione Fazeli who joins u from Lyon.The Talking France team would like to offer listeners the chance to join The Local using our half-price introductory offer. Just click on this link to take advantage of it. Members feel free to pass the offer on to friends and family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  70,000 outstanding complaints: France rocked by scale of child sexual violence 10.06.2026 37min

  First up this week we'll look at how the killing of a young girl in south west France has sparked nationwide anger and protests and put the French governent under pressure to respond to a growing crisis around sexual violence towards children.We'll also look ahead to 2070 and find out what the French population will look like then, we'll also examine whether France really is home to half of the world's .....roundabouts and we'll risk reawakening a centuries old bloody rivalry in France by asking where's better to live: Normandy or Brittany.And we'll bring you some essential vocab if you are going to be in France during the football World Cup which kicks off this week. Host Ben McPartland is joined as ever by the Team at The Local France - Emma Pearson, Emma Albright, French politics expert John Lichfield who joins from Normandy and special guest Katy Wright who will join us from Brittany. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Why the violence after football in France and will the French pay up for slavery role? 03.06.2026 32min

  On this week's episode we will discuss the trouble you can get into in France for being sexist after one man was fined 55,000 euros for an ungentlemanly outburst.We'll also find out why dramatic football victories in France end in scenes of violence, how the country is coming to terms with its involvement in the slave trade, but why it's unlikely the French government will be paying any reparations and how France is harnessing the power of the sun to boost its electricity supplies.And we'll bring you some important French vocab and expressions that will be invaluable if you are travelling around France this summer.Im Ben McPartland and this week I'll be harnessing the power of Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and our politics expert John Lichfield - who make up the team at The Local France.----A reminder to listeners that on this podcast we only cover a few of the big talking points each week from France. If you want to stay informed of all the changes in France that affect residents and visitors as well as get some valuable advice and insights from fellow readers then visit thelocal.fr Members get unlimited access to all our stories, which this week include articles on everything Americans need to know about driving in France, all the info you need on where and how you can watch the World Cup in France plus an explainer on the best Paris Metro passes to buy if you are visiting the French capital. It’s got a little more complicated since those cute little paper tickets were abolished. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  How to live without a car in France and are we facing an insufferably hot summer? 27.05.2026 30min

  As we recorded this episode, France is baking under a record-breaking May heatwave that has sadly proved deadly - at least seven people having died in incidents linked to the hot weather.  We’ll get the latest on the weather and find out if it’s a sign that summer will be insufferable in France this year. In this week’s show we’ll also hear about how France’s most iconic car is making a comeback and find out why owning a car perhaps isn’t really a necessity anymore if you live in France.And we’ll get the lowdown on what’s been a mixed week for some of France’s presidential hopefuls.And we’ll help you express yourself in French when you want to complain about the heat.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and our politics expert John Lichfield, plus special guest Katy Wright who chimes in from Brittany. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  France frets over contaminated baguettes and how to avoid renovation nightmares 20.05.2026 40min

  This week we'll find out why it's all kicked off at the famous Cannes film festival. In one corner of the ring we have hundreds of French film stars, directors and industry staff and in the other corner we have the country's most controversial media tycoon - who we'll explain has his fingers on pretty much everything in France it seems.We'll also hear what property owners in France need to avoid to prevent the renovation dreams turning into a nightmare, why hundreds of Brits have been refused entry into France in recent months, and why French baguettes, cereals and many other everyday food items are at the centre of a public health crisis.We'll also bring you some brilliant French words you just can't quite translate, but are really useful for everyday life in France.Host Ben McPartland will be joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and politics expert John Lichfield. And we'll also have a special guest this week Rosie Ellis, who joins us from Brittany. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  The €16 million French château scam and why 2027 could be a ‘scary’ year in France? 12.05.2026 29min

  This week we’ll find out why France might be about to ditch rent controls in cities including the capital Paris, how foreigners in France have been hit by outages to key French admin websites, the latest on the marathon race to become the next French president and what Emmanuel Macron has been doing with all his spare time these days.Plus we’ll bring you the story of a 16 million euro French chateau scam involving two British suspects and whilst we are there we’ll explain why France has so many chateaux in the first place.And saying sorry is something we all must do in life at times whether it’s after going through a red light on a bike, dropping a tray of drinks on a colleague or perhaps reversing into an elderly couple’s car. Well we’ll explain how to apologise in French - because let’s face it, you will need to at some point.Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France’s Emma Pearson and Emma Albright, plus our politics expert John Lichfield and special guest - journalist Katy Wright. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  France's new anti-mosquito measures and where the French go for good food 05.05.2026 27min

  This week we’ll hear about how France is under siege from mosquitoes and the new and old ways being used to fight back - including what you can do to keep them out of your garden.We’ll also find out about the parts in France where drivers caught using the mobile phones at the wheel will face stiff new punishments and hear about the parts of the country the French head to if they want good food.We’ll also get the latest on the 2027 French presidential race and get some French language tips for how to respond when someone thanks you.I’m Ben McPartland and I’ll be joined by The Local France’s Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  France takes on Musk and will French airports run out of jet fuel this summer? 22.04.2026 36min

  On this week’s show we’ll find out why a story involving French prosecutors, a rabbit and the US tech billionaire and far right crusader Elon Musk made headlines in France.We’ll also find out why the rules for driving cars in cities and towns across France look set for a dramatic change and whether the country’s most notorious ring road could be transformed from one of the most polluted spots in France into an urban green paradise.And as the Middle East crisis continues and fears grow in Europe about jet fuel supplies we’ll look at the chances of flights to France being scrapped this summer. And what about if you want to take the train instead? Will you be able to book the trip?And stay to the end to find out how the French talk about their hangovers. You’ll certainly learn a handy phrase or two.Host Ben McPartland is joined by our two brainiacs Emma Pearson and Emma Albright plus our French politics wizard John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  France to lose 1.7million children and far right photoshoot causes stir 15.04.2026 36min

  In this week's show we'll find out why the rules around France's sacred May 1st public holiday have sparked a political row to the point where some lawmakers have accused the government ministers of - quote -  "pissing all over us". We'll also hear why arguably France's most unique region wants independence, why pictures of far-right presidential favourite Jordan Bardella and his new girlfriend have caused a stir and why France is set to lose 1.7 million children over the next decade.Plus this week Talking France will have a hairy ending, so be sure to stay with us.Host Ben McPartland will be joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  French tax traps you need to avoid and why Paris is divided in two 09.04.2026 36min

  This week we'll find out whether France is running out of fuel or not and get the latest on how expensive it is to fill up your tank here.We'll hear about a cautionary tale of how the French tax man caught an apparent 'non-resident' because of all the take away meals he was ordering in France.And we'll alert you to a few more tax traps you want to avoid in France during declaration season.We'll also discuss the new plan to cut waiting times for residency cards, why one part of France doesn't have motorway tolls, the latest on the EU's new biometric border checks at French ports and why there's still a clear east west divide in Paris.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and our politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Oil crisis fuels French anger and is France sleepwalking into a far-right presidency? 31.03.2026 32min

  On this week’s show we’ll find out how the war in the Middle East is impacting life in France as fuel prices rise and protests kick off around the country.What can the government do to ease the crisis?With the local elections out of the way France’s next election race has begun. It’s the big one - we’ll get the lowdown on the lineup for the 2027 Presidential Election and whether we can already call a winner.Excitement levels have gone through the roof in France this week and it’s all to do with Celine Dion. Why does the Canadian singer cause such a frenzy here?And we’ll discuss the best and the worst, most ridiculous, most babyish ways to say hello in French. If you want to know why I’m getting a bit irate, stay with us until the end.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France: Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and politics expert John Lichfield.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  The verdict on what the local election results mean for France 23.03.2026 21min

  We are out earlier than usual this week in order to bring you the results and analysis of the 2026 French local elections.The definitive second round vote was held on Sunday in thousands of communes across France, from tiny rural villages to the big urban centres like Lyon, Marseille and Paris.Over the next 20 minutes or so we'll bring you all the key takeaways from the main battle grounds, get some snap analysis from our politics expert and look ahead to what happens next.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France - Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.