Talking France

Talking France is The Local’s weekly podcast where we discuss the big news and talking points in France as well as explore and explain the major issues that impact life in the country. We also answer your essential questions and look ahead at what’s coming up.

In each episode presenter Ben McPartland chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local France’s Emma Pearson and Genevieve Mansfield. They are also frequently joined by John Lichfield, a veteran journalist whose knowledge of French news and politics is second to none, as well as other expert commentators. 

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So who'll be the next president of France and three French laws you should know
Apr 10, 2025 – 34:52
What now for Le Pen after bombshell verdict and France's favourite dishes revealed
Apr 2, 2025 – 31:24
Crunch time for Le Pen, Ryanair's threat and McDonald's targets rural France
Mar 26, 2025 – 33:37
Why the US can be grateful to the French, France's tremor threat and avoiding ETA scams
Mar 20, 2025 – 33:33
How France can revive village life and the historic menace lurking under French soil
Mar 14, 2025 – 37:06
Can Macron keep Trump on Europe's side and will France see a tourism backlash?
Mar 6, 2025 – 37:01
What does it mean to be French and how will France's budget impact you?
Feb 13, 2025 – 33:29
The French mineral water scandal, Alps travel headaches and solving 'tu' versus 'vous'
Feb 6, 2025 – 36:17
Macron’s €800m Louvre revamp explained and full speed ahead for rural France
Jan 29, 2025 – 36:50
Why France must act to avoid being ‘crushed’ and French census stirs anger
Jan 22, 2025 – 32:26
Will pensioners bring down France and why the 'office de tourisme' is dying out?
Jan 15, 2025 – 28:49
Why driving in France has got complicated and the 12 moans that explain the French
Jan 8, 2025 – 41:43
What to expect in France in 2025 from new laws to major travel changes
Dec 31, 2024 – 27:40
Can you get by in France without French and why does the government spend so much?
Dec 24, 2024 – 26:31
How long will new French PM last and what to expect in France this Christmas?
Dec 17, 2024 – 28:46
Will France get a Christmas truce and how speaking French affects your personality?
Dec 11, 2024 – 30:07
What next as France enters the unknown after government collapse?
Dec 5, 2024 – 35:45
Will landmark rape trial change France and what's next if French government falls?
Nov 27, 2024 – 34:08
French sex lives explained, Notre Dame's unholy row and is Le Pen facing the end?
Nov 20, 2024 – 31:44
France faces winter of strikes and protests and will Trump revive Macron?
Nov 13, 2024 – 31:48
New French rail strikes protest 'privatisation' and how can Americans move to France?
Nov 7, 2024 – 34:11
How painful will cuts in France be and why's Macron fretting about Emily in Paris?
Oct 17, 2024 – 36:35
How Paris is different from France and when will French ski slopes close for good?
Oct 10, 2024 – 36:02
The foreigners who helped make France and just how bad is the French debt crisis?
Oct 2, 2024 – 34:20
Can France's government of 'losers' win anyone over and French airports hit turbulence
Sep 26, 2024 – 33:45
Can France accept major tax hikes and what's gone wrong with croissants?
Sep 19, 2024 – 36:16
How long will France's new PM last and what will the Paris Olympics legacy be?
Sep 12, 2024 – 36:24
How can France's stormy political crisis be resolved and will the Olympics go to plan?
Jul 10, 2024 – 35:31
How to explain France's shock election results and what happens now?
Jul 8, 2024 – 25:37
With France's far right at the gates of power will French voters let them in?
Jul 1, 2024 – 23:55
Elections to take France into 'dark territory' and explaining the second homes crackdown
Jun 24, 2024 – 27:15
Could French elections wreck the EU and France's tourist sites to avoid this summer?
Jun 17, 2024 – 32:19
What now for France after Macron's great election gamble?
Jun 10, 2024 – 19:03
Why Russia is picking on France and how Europe's 'monumental' travel change will affect you
Jun 5, 2024 – 37:49
Explaining Paris syndrome and how the EU elections will impact France
May 30, 2024 – 34:59
What are real French values and does France care about its troubled far-away territories?
May 22, 2024 – 32:30
Is France booming or bust, Paris QR codes explained and how to drive like a Frenchwoman?
May 16, 2024 – 35:00
Major French border changes explained and could France ban screens for kids?
Apr 30, 2024 – 36:12
How French invaded the English language, where foreigners buy second homes and youth violence flares
Apr 25, 2024 – 33:40
Is the Entente Cordiale still worth anything, France's new rail pass and 'crookie' versus croissant?
Apr 11, 2024 – 38:20
Can regional French airports survive, big changes in Paris and France's most dangerous animals
Apr 4, 2024 – 37:15
Is France heading for a Greek-style debt crisis and the most beautiful French train journeys?
Mar 28, 2024 – 33:42
Why is France so negative about the Olympics, a new schools row and the secret Michelin critics
Mar 21, 2024 – 33:41
Why the European elections really matter in France plus deadly floods and French casinos
Mar 14, 2024 – 32:30
Why France loves shopping rules, the real Versailles and how to blend in with the French
Mar 7, 2024 – 30:55
Macron breaks war taboo, why Lyon is the place to move to and French language test tips
Feb 29, 2024 – 33:41
Losing your French citizenship, energy ratings explained and is Monaco just for millionaires?
Feb 15, 2024 – 37:05
Eurostar faces more misery, defending Paris waiters and key questions on new French language tests
Feb 8, 2024 – 33:39
France's new language test rules explained and how will the farmers' 'siege of Paris' end?
Jan 30, 2024 – 32:33
What next for farmers' revolt, France's baby problem and are French fries really French?
Jan 25, 2024 – 38:18

Recent Reviews

Ajax0012

A little elitist and their heads are a bit in the clouds

Trump wins the election and their first story, after 8 weeks off, is how Americans can flee to France. Lol
MelodicMetalBusa

Love it! C’est excellent!

Ben, Emma, Gen, and John bring a lively and informational mix of French news, politics, culture, and tips for tourists and anyone considering moving to or already living in France. As expatriates and journalists from the UK and the US now living in France, they have excellent insight derived both from their professional research and their own individual experiences while living in France. Highly recommended for anyone that has an interest in French culture, history, language, politics, news, travel, or living. Thank you and eell done to the entire Talking France team!!!
Chris Pida

Smart, Stylish, Informative Program

I look forward to listening to Talking France each week. The segments are interesting and the experts do a lovely job of explaining French current events, history, and what it’s like living in France. Talking France is that rare podcast that has style, is smart, educational, funny, and warm. As a French learner and a Francophile, Talking France is an essential part of my growth as a student of French and a lover of current events and history. Thank you for creating and putting out this podcast and I sincerely hope it runs for many seasons to come.
well-fed soul

well done

Stumbled on to this podcast after subscribing to the Local, and in preparation for upcoming travel. I have worked my way backwards through all seasons. Each episode is educational and informative, but also entertaining and humorous.
lynnstrauss

The local

Casual but structured and informative. Covers a wide variety of subjects.
ethomas207

Useful information

I will be spending more time in France over the coming years and am working on my language skills, but this podcast gives me great information about the culture, politics, history and current events. Knowledgeable contributors and useful content. I listen every week.
Desperate for normalcy

Love this podcast!

I travel to France every chance I get. This podcast keeps me in the loop on the goings on. I’m dumping France24 and replacing it with podcast.
B_OTapias

Topical, detailed, direct

Great topics and journalist level details. More directly informative on France itself than RFI!
AZM89

Must listen

This podcast is both informative and fun. It is must listen each week for me.
Veeva Frank

What I was looking for

I live in paris and just love how what’s going on in France is broken down for me. Their subjects are relevant to whats going on and is well balanced. Thanks so much for this insightful podcasts. You folks have great radio voices too btw!
Mike K01

Great little podcast

Quick weekly podcast on a multitude of subjects and current affairs on what’s happening in France broken down into snack sized segments. Topics and presenters are interesting. A great supplement for the francophile or casual visitor planning a trip.