Latest news with #BenMcPartland
Local France
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Local France
PODCAST: What that 'slap' says about the Macrons and French farmers fight the future
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 team starts this week off with the story making headlines in France and across the world: the viral video that appears to show French President Emmanuel Macron being shoved by his wife, Brigitte. We discuss the reaction to the video, plus other disinformation campaigns that have targeted the French president and his wife. You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below From recent protests by French farmers and taxi drivers, to a surprising power cut in the south of France which affected the last night of the Cannes Film Festival, the Talking France team also give you the latest on disruption around the country. Advertisement We also discuss how the stereotype that all French people are slim and in good shape may be false, particularly considering the country's rising obesity rates and the government's latest plans to tackle the health issue. And we'll finish this week off with the French cities that suffer most from the 'urban heat island effect' and why you may want to avoid them during a heatwave, plus how some of France's most famous museums and galleries are planning to charge non-EU residents higher fees. Stick around till the end to hear our recommendations for the best exhibits (or expos ) to visit in Paris this summer. EXTRA READING: Eight of the biggest sex scandals that rocked French politics Fire cuts power to 45,000 in French Riviera as sabotage suspected OPINION: Tractor protests expose the hypocrisy of French farming policies How serious is France's obesity problem? MAPS: The top five worst French cities to spend a heatwave in French museums plan to hike prices for non-EU visitors 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
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Local France
PODCAST: France hit by 'sordid kidnappings' and the best place to buy a second home?
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. After a brief diversion to the Brittany town that has banned to sale of alcohol to Smurfs, we start by looking at a worrying spate of crimes - the kidnapping of French crypto-currency bosses and members of their families. You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below After two Americans were attacked with mini Eiffel Towers in Paris we look at safety issues for tourists and France's strict privacy laws which also cover filming or photographing people in the street. Advertisement Headlines about the UK's post Brexit 'reset' deal with the EU tend to focus on issues like fishing and defence, but the deal also contains things that would have a big impact on the lives of Brits who live in France or visit regularly - we break down the details. Also up for discussion are hospital waiting times in France, including the areas with the longest and shortest wait times, and the measures that could improve things. And finally, what is the best part of France in which to buy a second home? We look at the advantages and drawbacks of each part of the country, and some questions to ask before purchasing. EXTRA READING: What does UK-EU 'reset' deal really mean for Brits in France? Everything you need to know about buying a second home in different parts of France French town breaks world record for number of smurfs The 14 scams that tourists in Paris need to be aware of French crypto boss hails 'heroic' duo for foiling kidnap bid 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
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Local France
PODCAST: France's plan to save kids from screens and will it get harder to become French?
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield to look at all the latest news and talking points from France. We start this week off with why May might be the best month in France, followed by a less joyful topic: changes to the French citizenship application process. The team discusses how a new memo, sent out by the interior minister, could shake up applications for French citizenship, and why it might actually be more of a political stunt than a serious transformation of the process. You can listen to Talking France on Spotify or Apple, download HERE or listen on the link below France has also joined the global conversation about screen time for kids. After an open letter was sent to the French press by France's former PM, the country is thinking about ways to get kids off their mobile devices, from making Instagram turn black and white to taxing social media platforms. You can also listen to our previous episode about the French law restricting how parents post pictures of their children on social media. The Talking France team also unpacks the latest spate of dramatic attacks on prisons. We explain how serious of a problem organised crime is in France, plus how the government wants to tackle the issue of drug trafficking. Clermont-Ferrand might be the place to go if you want to visit France's ancient volcano chain in the Auvergne region, but the ground below it is increasingly unsteady (or 'Swiss cheese' as its mayor has called it). We finish this episode off with an explanation of why this French city could be sinking. 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 . Further reading OPINION: France's plan to 'toughen up' citizenship rules is just more smoke and mirrors Why do French ministers love to send 'circulaires'? France's ex-PM calls 'state of emergency' over children's screen use France charges 21 prison attack suspects 'Swiss cheese': Why this French city is worried about sinkholes Advertisement
Local France
30-04-2025
- Health
- Local France
PODCAST: Do the French need to work harder and why Nice is the place to move to
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield to look at all the latest news and talking points from France. The team is back after a two week break during France's spring school holidays, and we're starting off with one of the most important days in the French cultural calendar: May Day. We take you through everything you need to know about the demonstrations planned this year, plus why you might find your local bakery is closed. You can listen to Talking France on Spotify or Apple, download HERE or listen on the link below The Talking France team also discuss why French doctors are unhappy - and why some are planning strike action - as the French government tries to tackle the issue of 'medical deserts'. We explain some of the government's proposals to deal with the longstanding problem of doctor shortages. Advertisement According to France's prime minister, the country's future is at stake. We'll tell you why PM François Bayrou believes France needs to make some major changes, particularly when it comes to working harder. Away from politics and to the sunny French Riviera, we hear from some Americans in France about why they picked the city of Nice as the best destination to set up their new lives. We wrap this week up with a problem some people in suburban and rural France have been experiencing - ants apparently like the taste of their Linky electricity metres. 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 . Further reading Demos and flowers: What May 1st really means to the French What to expect from France's 2025 May Day protests France debates stricter rules on doctors' practices in order to combat 'medical deserts' OPINION: French doctors cannot avoid regulation for ever Is France really planning a 'tax raid' on pensioners? 'A really efficient city': Why more and more Americans are moving to Nice Ant warning over France's Linky electricity meters
Local France
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Local France
PODCAST: Who'll be the next president of France and 3 French laws you should know
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield to look at all the latest news and talking points from France. This week we're off to the races - or rather, we're discussing France's 2027 presidential race, which despite being two years away has basically already begun. We'll hear about who is running and who might have a decent chance of winning. We're also talking about an often-forgotten French overseas territory off the coast of Canada which appears to have caught the attention of US President Donald Trump. Stick around to hear about its interesting history, which even made it onto an episode of TV show Peaky Blinders. You can listen to Talking France on Spotify or Apple, download HERE or listen on the link below The Talking France team is also looking out over the Atlantic, but this time we're focused on Fort Boyard, the iconic French fortress in the middle of the water between the Île-d'Aix and the Île d'Oléron in western France. Advertisement You might know of the fortress as the site of a hit French game show - which has been running for three decades. Our team discusses why Fort Boyard is at risk of collapsing into the sea, as well as other French historic sites that need a helping hand. We finish off with some unknown French laws - from garden hedges to dog-walking - that you should know if you are going to survive spring in France (without an unexpected fine). Stick around until the end to hear our favourite French Easter traditions, and as a reminder the Talking France team will be off for the next two weeks for the spring holidays. The next episode will be out April 30th. 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 . Further reading OPINION: The race to defeat the French far right in 2027 starts now Saint Pierre et Miquelon: Why does France have two islands off the Canadian coast? Macron calls for suspension of investment in US until tariffs clarified Fort Boyard: How France plans to save its game-show fortress Cars, dogs and hedges: 5 little-known rules for life in France Flying bells and giant omelettes: 8 ways the French celebrate Easter
