Talking France – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Talking France

The Local France

News

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/10d. Total Eps: 173

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read moreCollapse

Site

RSS

Apple

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇬🇧 Great Britain - newsCommentary
29/08/2026
#91
🇫🇷 France - newsCommentary
29/08/2026
#99
🇬🇧 Great Britain - newsCommentary
28/08/2026
#63
🇫🇷 France - newsCommentary
28/08/2026
#74
🇬🇧 Great Britain - newsCommentary
27/08/2026
#38
🇫🇷 France - newsCommentary
27/08/2026
#40
🇬🇧 Great Britain - newsCommentary
26/08/2026
#97
🇫🇷 France - newsCommentary
26/08/2026
#68
🇬🇧 Great Britain - newsCommentary
25/08/2026
#73
🇫🇷 France - newsCommentary
25/08/2026
#69

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0rfC7oXjG0CqbDapg5ZSVi?si=b2c84f7e7d5f4083
1 share

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 84%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

How can France's stormy political crisis be resolved and will the Olympics go to plan?

Season 12 · Episode 12

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 • Duration 35:31

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:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read moreCollapse

How to explain France's shock election results and what happens now?

Season 12 · Episode 11

Monday, July 8, 2024 • Duration 25:37

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:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read moreCollapse

Major French border changes explained and could France ban screens for kids?

Season 12 · Episode 2

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 • Duration 36:12

We kick off this week looking at the Féte du Travail on May 1st. Is it still a significant, symbolic day for workers in France or is it just regarded as a bonus day off?

We also look at the big upcoming change for passport checks in Europe. It's called EES and it's almost certain to cause lots of travel issues, which is why we try and answer some of the important questions our readers have about it.

And... we also look at how France plans to take better care of its elderly population, whether the French government could impose bans on screen time for kids and what exactly is an “integration contract" when it comes to visas or residency permits in France.

Host Ben McPartland is joined this week by The Local France's fountains of knowledge and sound advice, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

Further reading:

How French invaded the English language, where foreigners buy second homes and youth violence flares

Season 12 · Episode 1

Thursday, April 25, 2024 • Duration 33:40

This week we explore just how big an issue is youth violence around schools in France. Is it out of control or just being exploited by those pesky politicians?

We explain where foreigners buy second homes in France and why fewer Brits are snapping up properties. We also find out why one French island is taking on Airbnb and look at why drivers on French motorways could soon avoid stopping for the tolls.

And "the English language is just French pronounced badly". Who would say such a provocative thing and why? We'll reveal all.

Ben McPartland your host is joined for this new series by our regular team from The Local, Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

Welcome to a new episode and new series of Talking France. Thanks to all our regular listeners for tuning in and a big welcome to any new listeners joining us. This podcast is produced by the team at The Local France and while it's free it is only made possible by our paying members. Thanks to all of you who have joined. And a particular thanks to the gentlemen who emailed us to say he had joined The Local to help keep this podcast going. Much appreciated.

Further reading:

Is the Entente Cordiale still worth anything, France's new rail pass and 'crookie' versus croissant?

Season 11 · Episode 7

Thursday, April 11, 2024 • Duration 38:20

On this week's Talking France we talk about trains, croissants, the Le Pens, French bashing and the sexy subject of tax declarations in France.

France is about to test a new 49 euro rail pass to encourage people to get onto trains. We explain who can take advantage of it and where you can use it.

Plus it's 120 years of the entente cordiale between France and the UK, we will explore whether there's any real entente between the two countries these days and whether or not it's even cordial.

And French far right stalwart Jean-Marie Le Pen is a talking point this week. Does he deserve any credit for shaking up French politics in recent decades, or is he just a racist in the right place at the right time…?

And people have been meddling with croissants again! We've had fish-fingers and sausages, what on earth are they putting in these sacred pastries now? I'll give you a clue... it's been called a crookie.

Ben McPartland your host is joined this week by three of the finest minds at The Local France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

Further reading:

Can regional French airports survive, big changes in Paris and France's most dangerous animals

Season 11 · Episode 6

Thursday, April 4, 2024 • Duration 37:15

Up for discussion this week are France's regional airports. Have you flown into or out of the likes of Limoges, Brest or even Bergerac? No doubt these airports are handy but are they really sustainable?

We also look at how France's official Champagne region is going to grow. Could it include part of England one day? And with the Olympics in sight we'll explain, with the help of author Simon Kuper, how Paris and even Parisians are changing.

And can you really get €6,000 a month in unemployment benefit in France for a whole year? Yes, you can, but perhaps not for much longer with the French government under pressure to make cuts.

And most of the deadly animals in France are in zoos but the numbers of wolves and bears in the wild are growing. We look at where they are and the chances of you encountering one.

Host Ben McPartland is once again joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield as well as French politics expert John Lichfield.

Further reading:

France to revise official Champagne making area due to climate change
What are the most dangerous animals in France?
Are France's loss-making regional airports under threat?
Just how generous is France's unemployment system?
How France plans cuts to its generous unemployment system

Simon Kuper's book "Impossible City - Paris in the 21st Century" is published on April 11th and is available in all book shops as well as online.

Is France heading for a Greek-style debt crisis and the most beautiful French train journeys?

Season 11 · Episode 5

Thursday, March 28, 2024 • Duration 33:42

"It's gone wild," "It's a meltdown" - these were just some of the shocked reactions to news that France is in a fair bit of debt and it's getting worse. We explain how it could affect you and whether the crisis could bring down the French government this summer.

As well as debt, we look at wealth and just how much money you have to have to be considered rich in France.

And away from money, we'll reveal a few of France's most beautiful train rides, teach you a little about radical French painters and tell you what's going to change in France this April. And if you've never heard of the "Giboulées de Mars" - then find out what they are.

Ben McPartland your host is joined by three volunteers who have kindly offered to help this week: Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and Jon Lichfield, otherwise known as The Local France.

Related articles:

Why is France so negative about the Olympics, a new schools row and the secret Michelin critics

Season 11 · Episode 4

Thursday, March 21, 2024 • Duration 33:41

In this week’s talking points we’ll look at why the French are so down about the Olympics right now. Are they understandably worried that everything’s going to go wrong and it’s going to be a disaster or are they just excelling at that famous Gallic sport of complaining?

And we’ll hear the story of France’s famous Michelin guide and who the secret restaurant inspectors are. We also examine the latest row around schools in France and learn about why the euro coins in your pocket are going to look a little different very soon.

And we ask the question why in France do political leaders only become liked once they are dead or retired?

Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France team; editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

To sign up for The Local's Paris Olympics guide weekly newsletter you can click here.

Further reading:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the European elections really matter in France plus deadly floods and French casinos

Season 11 · Episode 3

Thursday, March 14, 2024 • Duration 32:30

This week on Talking France we get the lowdown on the European Elections and why in France at least it's looking like it will be a resounding victory for ... Vladimir Putin. We'll also explain why southern France will likely see more deadly floods in future and try to understand why certain French towns are allowed casinos and why others, including Paris, are not.

President Emmanuel Macron has angered yet more people in France this week with his latest reform around assisted dying. We'll look at what will change and who's angry about it. And is the most useful place in France your local post office? You can do far more there than just buy stamps and we'll tell you exactly what.

Ben McPartland your host is joined this week by The Local France team. As usual Emma Pearson Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield will be doing most of the Talking on this week's Talking France.

Essential reading:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why France loves shopping rules, the real Versailles and how to blend in with the French

Season 11 · Episode 2

Thursday, March 7, 2024 • Duration 30:55

In this week's episode of Talking France we'll find out why history was made at the Palais de Versailles and why the famous site is far more than just a tourist attraction. We'll also look at why one American sport has become so popular in France, what foreigners do to blend in with the locals in France and where you can find quality but affordable restaurants near you. And we'll also explore why France has a love for consumer regulations and how they impact shoppers.

Ben McPartland your host is joined by the team from The Local France Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

Further reading:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read moreCollapse

Talking France – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Talking France – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

Spotify1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other99+

Spotify1

Apple Podcasts

Spotify