Latest news with #BenMcPartland
Local France
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Local France
PODCAST: From strikes to extreme heat - what to expect in France this summer
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson and John Lichfield for a special edition looking ahead to this summer in France. You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below Summer in France often brings strikes, and this year unions representing air traffic controllers, rail workers, Paris museum staff and the operators of the highway péages have all filed strike notices in a variety of disputes over pay and working conditions. Advertisement The usual political break might not happen this year, however, with the prime minister trying to sell his Budget ideas and the possibility of French elections - will PM François Bayrou make it through the summer? And what will await him when parliament restarts in September? It's already pretty hot in France, so we're looking at how hot it's likely to get this summer plus some tips for staying cool via the French government and why French doctors don't like ice-cold air conditioning. Finally we have a few tips for some events to enjoy this summer. The podcast will now be taking a break over the summer but, much like the prime minister, we hope to return in September. Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of members of The Local, you can find out more about becoming a member here . Extra reading: Planes, trains and museums: The strikes to expect in France this summer How hot will it get in France this summer OPINION: Another week, another attempt to bring down the French government
Local France
26-06-2025
- Local France
PODCAST: The story of Brittany's killer algae and where you can avoid the tourists in France
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield for all the latest news and talking points from France. We start with the toxic algae that is spreading in Brittany and is, a court has ruled, responsible for the death of a local jogger - it's a verdict that potentially has big implications for the region, and for France's farmers. You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below Following successful Olympic trials last summer, swimming in the Seine will be opened up to the general public - we're explaining how you can take a dip in the river, and the conditions for doing so. Advertisement Champagne might be a luxury product, but there is a definite dark side to the industry, as an ongoing human trafficking trial has exposed. And France broke its own tourism records last year and is set to do so again this year - there's no doubt the country is massively popular as a holiday destination, but how has it managed to avoid protests against over-tourism like those seen in Spain, Italy and Portugal? We finish off with a list of France's most over-crowded sites, with our recommendations for alternatives that are just as good (perhaps even better) but less well known. Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of members of The Local - you can find out more about becoming a member here . If you like the podcast you can also help us to keep it going by subscribing, writing a nice review or just telling a friend about it. Extra reading: Green algae found along French coastline responsible for jogger's death, rules court 10 alternatives to France's overcrowded tourist hotspots French champagne makers face human trafficking trial Everything you need to know about swimming in the Seine in Paris this summer How has France avoided Europe's anti-tourism protests?
Local France
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Local France
PODCAST: Explaining naughty French politicians and the pros and cons of new Paris airport link
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield to discuss all the latest news and talking points from France. We begin with politicians falling foul of the law - this week former prime minister François Fillon was sentenced over a 'fake jobs' case while ex president Nicolas Sarkozy was stripped of his Légion d'honneur due to his own criminal convictions. Meanwhile there was another legal setback for Marine Le Pen after her embezzlement conviction. You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below We also ask John - are French politicians particularly corrupt, or is France just better at tackling corruption in high places? Advertisement In a very different legal proceeding this week, a judge in the family court allowed parents to name their daughter Elizabeth Taylor, a request that had initially been blocked due to French rules on baby names. As the summer holidays begin many French people will be taking the country's impressive train network - so we're looking at how France got so good at high-speed rail, and how it manages to keep building costs down. Speaking of rail links, there's also going to be a new one between Paris and its major airport - although this one is a bit controversial. And finally, should foreigners attempt French swearing? We hear the views of readers of The Local, and a French language expert, on when it's OK to get explicit when speaking French - with reference to this classic sketch . Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of paying members of The Local - find out more about becoming a member here . You can also help to spread the word about Talking France by leaving a review on Spotify or Apple.
Local France
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Local France
PODCAST: France shocked by 'senseless' school violence and the inventions you never knew were French
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield for the latest episode of the Talking France podcast. We begin this week with a shocking incident that has rocked the French education system. After a French teaching assistant was stabbed to death by a pupil outside of a secondary school, we discuss how the government plans to tackle school violence. You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below. We also discuss why the Seine River might soon be considered a 'person', and how this could help conservationists better protect it in the future. Plus, we reveal what we know about Paris's second, secret river. Advertisement The Talking France team also gives you the latest on planned changes around flight compensation rules in France and Europe. We also look at the ongoing threat of far-right, extremist violence in France, after France's anti-terrorism prosecutors announced that they had launched their first-ever investigation into an attack linked to far-right extremism. Stick around until the end to guess which world-changing inventions came from France. EXTRA READING France eyes social media ban for under-15s after school stabbing 12 world-changing inventions that came from France Paris unveils plans to bring forgotten underground river back to surface Paris seeks personhood status for River Seine ANALYSIS: How much of a threat is extreme-right violence in France? Passenger compensation for flight delays set to decrease in Europe Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of paying members of The Local - you can find out more about becoming a member here . You can also help us by leaving a nice review, sharing the podcast on social media, or just telling a friend about us.
Local France
05-06-2025
- Business
- Local France
PODCAST: Has Uber changed France and will smoking ever be banned on café terraces?
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield for the latest episode of the Talking France podcast. The dispute between taxi drivers and ride-hail services like Uber is a long-standing one that flared up again this week - so will they ever reach an understanding? You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below. The Talking France team also explores France's latest ban on smoking outdoors, and whether it will have any impact on those famous café terraces. Advertisement We also hear about another effort by French authorities to keep the air clean, via low-emission zones. Recently, France's parliament voted to get rid of these low-emission zones, but the Talking France team discusses the obstacles in the way of that coming to fruition. And after receiving guidance from French tax authorities, we wade into the notoriously tricky topic of remote working in France. Stick around until the end to hear about whether or not French drivers deserve their negative reputation, plus a handy tip for what to do when you are being tailgated in France. EXTRA READING What you need to know about taking a taxi in Paris Explained: France's new smoking ban rules So you want to move to France and work remotely? Is this the end of France's Crit'Air zones for drivers? Swearing, honking and tailgating: French drivers ranked among worst in Europe Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of paying members of The Local - you can find out more about becoming a member here . You can also help us by leaving a nice review, sharing the podcast on social media, or just telling a friend about us.
