Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

Paywall free

TALKING FRANCE

PODCAST: Property tax hikes, swimming in the Seine and just how important is the French language?

The Talking France podcast is back with a bumper-length episode looking at what's going on in France - from the last gasp pension strikes to free chickens, swimming in the Seine to hijab rules and everything you need to know about the French language.

Published: 16 March 2023 09:48 CET
Updated: 18 March 2023 13:45 CET

PODCAST: Property tax hikes, swimming in the Seine and just how important is the French language?

Host Ben McPartland is joined by Local France editor Emma Pearson, journalist Genevieve Mansfield, political expert John Lichfield and French language specialist Camille Chevalier-Karfis to look at all the news and talking points from France.

French pension strikes continue to dominate the news, and John Lichfield explains why the parliamentary vote is such a big gamble for president Emmanuel Macron, while Genevieve explains why garbage is piling high on the streets of Paris.

You can listen to Talking France on Spotify, Apple or Google podcasts, download it here or listen on the link below

Moving to eastern France we’re looking at why one town is giving out free chickens, and we’ll also discuss what French secularism rules actually say about the wearing of the Muslim headscarf.

And as we approach international French language day, we’re looking at the state of the language – who speaks it and where, how many people are learning it and all about France’s ‘backwards’ language of Verlan.

The team also shares their tips for the one thing they wish they knew about the French language before moving to France, as well as their life hacks for making time in France easier and more fun.

You can find all episodes of Talking France HERE – if you like what you hear, please leave us a review or just tell a friend!

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

PODCAST: French political crisis deepens and what's so difficult about settling in France?

Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France editor Emma Pearson, journalist Genevieve Mansfield and political expert John Lichfield to look at everything that is happening in France this week.

We begin, naturally, with the political crisis that has erupted around pension reforms – after a week of protests, some violent, Emmanuel Macron talked to the nation on Wednesday to try and justify his plans.

You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify, Apple or Google podcasts, download it HERE or listen on the link below.

John Lichfield told us: “I do wonder whether Macron can recover from this, especially as he faces four years without a parliamentary majority.

“Looking ahead to the next elections in 2027 – France, as we know, as a country that likes to regularly change its leaders so there is a fear that it will turn to the far-right, simply because it’s the only thing that the country has not yet tried.

“Personally I don’t think the French will do anything so silly as elect Marine Le Pen president, but there is a fear that the far-right could present itself as the only viable alternative to either a Macron-style centrist or the scattered and divided left.”

We’re also answering a question that many readers have asked – should you cancel a trip to France because of the protests and political upheaval?

Moving away from politics, we’re looking at why France does badly on international comparisons for how easy it is to settle in here – most people say it’s a combination of problems with the language or the bureaucracy, so we’ve got some tips on how to make both easier.

And as applications are now open for Olympic and Paralympic Games volunteers, we’re taking a look at the process for signing up and what you can expect.

And finally, we’re sharing some of the things that foreigners do that make French people feel awkward – and which ones our hosts are guilty of.

You can find the whole Talking France back catalogue of podcasts here – and if you like what you hear, please consider leaving a review or just telling a friend.

Url copied to clipboard!