Talking France

This new episode is not one you want to miss because shockwaves rippled around France this week when it was announced far right leader Marine Le Pen had been banned from standing for political office for the next five years. This could of course rule her out of the 2027 French presidential election.It's a huge story, it's all kicked off and we'll have all the latest looking at what happens next, what impact will the verdict have on French voters and whether Le Pen can somehow still make it to the starting blocks for that key 2027 election.And another row has flared up between France and the US this week that has angered many on this side of the Atlantic. We’ll explain what’s ignited that argument.And away from politics we'll fill you in on the apparent conflict spilling over in French bars and pubs across the country over the size of a beer glass.And we'll reveal France's favourite French dishes and voted for by ...the French and decide which region of the country can claim to be Queen of cuisine!Ben McPartland your host is joined as ever by the team at The Local France Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.Extra reading: OPINION: Marine Le Pen is a martyr to nothing but her own greed and arroganceAppeals and rallies: What next for Marine Le Pen and the French far right?Does France practice 'diversity, equity and inclusion'?France slams US 'interference' in firms' diversity programmesThe 'pint wars' raging in French bars and cafésWhich French foods do French people love the most?

This week we'll look at a potential earthquake in French politics that could strike next week. That's when far right leader Marine Le Pen will find out whether she's been banned from standing in elections. Could she be banned? Should she be banned? What will happen if she is? We'll delve deep into all of those questions and try to come with some answers.We'll also find out about McDonald's vision of conquering rural France. Can the US fast food giant win the hearts and stomachs of French villagers?We'll explain why France is once again arguing over the rules of surrogacy and how the law compares to elsewhere in Europe plus we'll examine whether Ryanair has followed through with its threat to pull out of France.And we'll tell you the story of how Asterix and Obelix resisted the Romans but conquered France.Host Ben McPartland and is joined by the team at the Local France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield, who, if he was a character in Asterix he’d be called Politix.Related reading:OPINION: Le Pen's future hangs in the balance, and France is heading for a messy constitutional rowAsterix: Five things to know about France's favourite characterMcDonald's targets French villages with plans for 50 new outletsReader question: Is McDonald's really healthier in France?What are France's rules on surrogacy?What happened Ryanair's threats to pull out of France over 'eco tax'?LISTED: All the new flights to and from France in Spring 2025

This week we look at the earthquake risks in different parts of France after the city of Nice and the surrounding area was recently shaken by a 4.1 magnitude tremor. Scientists say France should expect a big quake one day, but do we know where and when?We also wade into a new transatlantic war of words over the Statue of Liberty and look at what else France has given the United States over the years.We explain a new and very innovative plan to combat drought in the south of France and find out when foreigners living here will be able to do most of their admin online like the French are doing more and more with a new digital ID.And we explain how to avoid being scammed and needlessly paying far too much when getting an ETA visa waiver to go the UK, which will be required from next month.Host Ben McPartland is joined today by the dazzling duo from The Local France, Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield.Useful websitesIn this episode, we reference three websites that you may find useful.To look at the risk of earthquakes and other natural disasters near you, try going to the French government website Géorisques.To keep track of water restrictions in France, use the vigieau.gouv.fr website. And finally for the UK's ETA visa waiver, the genuine site can be found here - look out for the prefix www.gov.uk indicating a genuine UK government websiteFurther reading:MAP: The parts of France most at risk from earthquakesWhere to find France's 12 Statues of LibertyEleven things the French have given AmericaDrought-prone southern France to inaugurate first 'air-to-water' plantWhat is France Identité and can foreigners use it?How to avoid ETA scams for France-UK travelDo Franco-British dual nationals need an ETA to travel to UK?

This week we look at how the international crisis is impacting France. Is President Emmanuel Macron a war monger and making the most of it all to boost his flagging popularity as his critics say, or is he the right man at the right time to lead France and Europe through increasingly stormy waters. And we look at the battle for French public opinion between Macron and the country’s increasingly influential pro-Russian media baron.We also find out about a move to allow rural French villages to open up new bars and cafes. Will they restore a vital social life to isolated hamlets or simply encourage alcohol abuse among locals.We also explore how France helps its youngsters become culture vultures and why it's perhaps no surprise that bombs left over from the World Wars are still causing travel chaos decades on, not to mention injuries and even deaths.And we find out why many Americans in France are angry right now and the reasons why many more of their compatriots are making the move across the Atlantic. Host Ben McPartland is joined this week by the team at The Local France Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Extra reading:OPINION: Macron is no warmonger, whatever France’s pro-Putin billionaire saysFrance moves to bring back village bars in bid to boost rural social livesOPINION: Does rural France actually need ‘saving’?What is France’s ‘culture pass’ and how is it changing in 2025?How France is still littered with unexploded bombs from the World Wars‘Trump was final straw’: Why Americans are moving to France‘The US doesn’t care about us’: Americans in France protest planned consulate closures

We start off this week by jumping straight into the increasingly choppy waters of international relations and examine whether France has a strong enough military to help bring peace to Europe and whether Emmanuel Macron has any influence at all over Donald Trump.We also explain how the UK's new travel authorisation scheme could affect you and your family in France and explain why a 102-year-old Frenchman named Albert is suing the government.We also look at why France hasn't quite experienced the anti-tourism backlash as seen in neighbouring Spain and try to decipher the laws around the hijab as French senators propose another tightening of restrictions around the garment.Host Ben McPartland and I'll be joined for this new series of Talking France by the team at The Local: Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Extra reading:EXPLAINED: Does France really have a hijab ban?OPINION: France and the UK may be willing to send troops to Ukraine, but do they have the military strength?Will I need an ETA visa for my French spouse or children?The French cities cracking down on Airbnb with key box bansFrenchman, 102, sues government over WWII forced labour in GermanyWhy is mass tourism such a problem in Spain but not in France?

On the menu for this week we'll start off by talking about France's new highly intelligent cat, which Emmanual Macron is hoping will rule the world. Don't worry, we'll explain what I'm on about shortly.We'll also delve into France's new budget and explain how listeners will be impacted by some of the measures, including why you'll have to pay more for flights in France in the future.You've all heard of the medieval citadel of Carcassonne but there are some other, less well-known castles in south west France that are also vying for global attention, as we'll explore.And France's Prime Minister has said he wants to open a discussion about what it means to be French, so we're going to do exactly that.And finally stay listening until the end to find out what you really shouldn't do on a train in France if you don't want to make international news and more importantly be hit by a steep fine.Host Ben McPartland will be joined by The Local's editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.Extra reading:French train passenger fined €150 for using phone on speaker8 must-visit castles in south-west France (you've probably never heard of)OPINION: AI is unstoppable, so I'd rather it was French than American or ChineseHow France's new eco tax will affect the cost of plane ticketsFrance's PM calls for debate on 'what it means to be French'