Talking France

Will France pay for its role in slavery and why the violence after PSG's triumph? 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.

Tense French elections head for super Sunday climax and five French towns worth moving to 17.03.2026 40min

The Local’s Talking France podcast is attracting more and more listeners each week and we currently have over 12,000 monthly downloads on average. If your company would like to connect with our international audience and sponsor one of our episodes, please email news@thelocal.frThis week we are, what the French describe as "l'entre deux tours" which means between two rounds. I'm referring to the crucial French local elections that are taking place. We are between the first and the decisive second round on Sunday. There's a lot to decipher amid the political shenanigans that are happening in France right now, but we'll try and clear it all up and look ahead to Sunday's vote.We'll also head to different parts of France in this week's episode to find out about some great towns to move to - mainly because property there is affordable. Have a listen and see which of these less well known French towns takes your fancy.We'll also discuss the French government's plan to get us all eating well - but do they really expect us to follow their advice?And one of the many banes of a French language learner's life is the silent letter! Why are there so many, how can we possibly learn them all? We'll get some expert tips and explanations.I'm Ben McPartland and I'll be joined for this episode of Talking France by the team at The Local, Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and our French politics decoder John Lichfield.We are recording this on Tuesday March 17th so a Happy St Patrick’s Day to all our Irish listeners both in France and Ireland, I know we have a fair few so a special "Cead Mile Failte" to you all - which means ‘100,000 welcomes’ in Irish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the French local elections really matter and Macron walks Middle East tightrope 10.03.2026 35min

This week, well the news in France has been dominated by the war in the Middle East. We'll explain the ongoing impact that the conflict is having on daily life here and we'll look at how President Emmanuel Macron is handling France's role in the crisis.We'll also focus this week on one of France's most beautiful cities and explore why Americans are moving there in droves.But we'll start this week by bringing you the latest on France's key local elections, look at where the tight races are and what they mean to the French people.Plus stay with us to the end and we'll bring you all the French lingo you need to understand les elections municaples.I'm Ben McPartland your host and I'll be joined as usual by the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and politics expert John Lichfield. Bonjour to all our regular listeners, thanks for sticking with us. And a warm bienvenue to any new listeners tuning in. Just in case you weren't aware this podcast is produced by the team at The Local France and is only possible thanks to our paying members, so please join and help us continue to bring you the big talking points from France each week as well as dozens of weekly articles on thelocal.fr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

France fears more political violence and record rainfall leaves the country under water 18.02.2026 36min

France right now is pretty much either water or under metres of snow, depending on where you are in the country so we'll start by getting the latest on the extreme weather that continues to lash the country.The big story in France this week has been the killing of a young far-right activist in Lyon after violent clashes that have been blamed on a group on the extreme left. We'll look at all the reaction and finger-pointing that has followed and the fears there may be more violence to come as we head towards the 2027 presidential election.We'll also hear the stories of young people and pensioners who have been denied French citizenship because of tightened rules around income and bring you the final details about a new healthcare fee many foreigners in France will have to pay in future.And we'll explain why the upcoming salon d'agriculture is such a key date in the French cultural and political calendar - even if there are no cows this year.And there's nothing worse for French learners than being betrayed by all those false friends, but why are there so many of them? We’ll find out.Host Ben McPartland is joined as usual this week by the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson, otherwise known as EmmaP - Emma Albright, otherwise known as Emma A and our politics expert John Lichfield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Le Pen faces the end and why France wants less meat but more babies 12.02.2026 36min

On the agenda this week, we’ll find out if anyone can beat likely far-right candidate Jordan Bardella to be the next president of France. He’s flying in the polls, he’s flying on tiktok, but will he fly into the Elysee? We’ll also get the lowdown on private beaches in France. How come there are so many when all beaches are meant to be public?And the government has the country’s sacred summer holidays in its sites. Could they finally be cut?We’ll also hear about the downsides of benign bilingual French and English and why the French government is writing to young people to ask them to have more sex - and eat less meat.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.

Why fewer foreigners are becoming French and how to solve France's second home quandary? 04.02.2026 34min

This week we start off with some explosive news from France before we hear why authorities on a picturesque island off France's west coast are offering second home owners thousands of euros for their properties and look at why houses have become so expensive in places like the famous Il de Ré.And we'll look at how speed cameras are getting flashier in France and try to understand why everyone, in rural parts of the country especially, hate them to the point of burning them down.We'll also explain why there's been a big drop in the number of foreigners becoming French, but why there's been a big rise in the number of Americans moving across the Atlantic to set up home in France.And we'll help you reveal the animal in you by teaching you some must-know French expressions...Host Ben McPartland and I'll be 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.

Is France becoming less child-friendly and what's at stake in spring's local elections? 29.01.2026 38min

Up this week we'll look at what's at stake in the upcoming local elections in France and whether French voters really care. And we'll look ahead to the French presidential election to see whether anyone can unite the left... and whether French voters really care.We'll also look at why kids have been banned from some first class trains in France and whether France, on the whole, is less child-friendly than other countries. We'll hear about the move in the country to avoid American tech companies and indeed other US brands and we'll look forward to some of the best and most bizarre festivals in France this year. Stay with us to hear the strangest sound we've ever heard on Talking France.And we'll see whether us French learners should really be aiming to speak like Edith Piaf.Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France - Emma Pearson, Emma Albright and our politics expert John Lichfield.You'll find many more articles about France at The Local.fr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Americans in France talk of shame and explaining the strange noises the French make 21.01.2026 32min

This week we'll look at whether the French government will survive long enough to enjoy the weekend and find out what the French make of all this budget bedlam that's been going on far too long, especially when the world seems to be lurching towards a crisis.And speaking of that crisis, we'll look ahead to where these mounting tensions between France, Europe and Donald Trump will lead too, and we'll hear from our American listeners in France as to how they are impacted by it all.We'll also look at how bad a plague hazing is at French universities and get a view on how different the drinking cultures is between French and British students.And are open fires in cosy homes in rural France soon to be a thing of the past?And we'll explain some of the weird and wacky noises you'll hear the French make.Host Ben McPartland is joined this week by the two Emmas : Pearson and Albright and the one John: Lichfield that is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it time for France to channel De Gaulle and stand up to the US? 14.01.2026 35min

This week on Talking France we look at the reasons so many landlords in France get away with renting out hovels - even though there are supposed to be laws against it.We’ll look at just how safe skiing is in France these days given 6 people, including one Briton, were killed in avalanches over the weekend.And we’ll look at why France’s leaders are being urged to channel their “inner De Gaule” and stand up to the United States.And we’ll learn how to talk about the cold weather like a real French person. 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.

France takes fight to social media giants and how Les Clooneys became French 07.01.2026 29min

This week we’ll discuss the big talking point in France at the start of January 2026, which  is just how did George Clooney and his wife Amal and their kids become French citizens?George doesn’t seem to be a full time resident in France, nor by his own admission does he speak French very well, nor is he married to a French national, so how did he do it? We’ll find out and look at some of the reactions to Monsieur George Clooney getting a French passport.We’ll also look at the strikes that are starting to pile up at the start of the year, hear about the French government’s plan to ban young teenagers from accessing social media sites and help you learn some key French strike vocab and importantly how to pronounce it. For this new series of Talking France, well it’s a combination of the old and the new, the old, well that’s host Ben McPartland and Emma Pearson The Local France’s editor and John Lichfield our politics expert. And the new, well we’ve got a new member of The Local France team, she’s also an Emma - Emma Albright. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What to expect in France in 2026 from travel changes to new immigration rules 22.12.2025 24min

This is a special episode focussed on looking ahead to next year in France, so you are all aware of what will happen in terms of travel and immigration changes and what might happen when it comes to political crises and elections.We'll look at all the key changes on the horizon and the key cultural dates to get in your diary for next year.So sit back, crack open an oyster or two or if you are like me and think oysters are just posh slime that belongs in the sea, then get yourself a glass of vin chaud, and make sure to listen to the end.Im Ben McPartland and I'll be joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.For all our articles looking ahead to the changes in France in 2026 visit our special 2026 web page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.