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Talking France

The Local France
France
Emmanuel Macron
Marine Le Pen
Paris
Rassemblement National
French Government
French Politics
French Parliament
Louvre Museum
Michel Barnier
European Union
French Farmers Protests
Climate Change
Francois Bayrou
French Immigration Bill
Nouveau Front Populaire
2025 Budget
Heatwaves
Brexit
European Elections

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes171Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & CultureNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

Welcome to a new episode of Talking France. It’s our penultimate episode before we take a summer break and it’s a jam-packed one full of the latest news, talking points and flare ups from France.

We’ll start with the fall out from the unprecedented ... more

On this week's show we discuss the heat, yes France and the rest of Europe is in the grip of another brutal heatwave - and it's still only June.

We'll look at the huge impact it's having on daily life in France and why the country isn't better prepa... more

This week we’ll look at whether Emmanuel Macron can land any knock out blows for Europe as he welcomes global leaders including Donald Trump to France for what’s been dubbed as his swansong in the international arena.

And we’ll have answers to two o... more

First up this week we'll look at how the killing of a young girl in south west France has sparked nationwide anger and protests and put the French governent under pressure to respond to a growing crisis around sexual violence towards children.

We'll... more

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Recent Guests

Carolione Fazeli
Co-host of Fish Wives of Paris (based in Lyon)
Fish Wives of Paris
Episode: Macron’s swan song, why France is mad for roundabouts and how Lyon became the home of gastronomy
Rosie Ellis
Project coordinator in renovation and construction with Maison Bretagne; host of French Renault Diaries Uncensored
Maison Bretagne / French Renault Diaries Uncensored
Episode: France frets over contaminated baguettes and how to avoid renovation nightmares
Katy Wright
Freelance journalist based in Brittany
Freelance journalist
Episode: The €16 million French château scam and why 2027 could be a ‘scary’ year in France?
Gisele Pellicot
Victim of the mass rape trial, advocate for public discussion on sexual violence and consent.
Episode: Will landmark rape trial change France and what's next if French government falls?
Simon Kuper
Columnist for the Financial Times
Episode: Can regional French airports survive, big changes in Paris and France's most dangerous animals
John Lichfield
French politics expert and veteran journalist
The Local France
Episode: Why the European elections really matter in France plus deadly floods and French casinos

Hosts

Ben McPartland
Host of Talking France, with regular commentary on French news and politics.
Emma Pearson
Co-host/commentator on France-focused political and cultural topics.
Emma Albright
Co-host/commentator on Talking France, covering politics, culture, and daily life.
John Lichfield
Politics expert and veteran journalist providing historical and political context.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 208 ratings
  • Fun and informative

    A joy to listen to. The team make it easy listening but still with in depth and vital analysis on french politics and life

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tomstwr
    France9 months ago
  • Spectac!

    The Local France — and its associated podcast — provide a treasure trove of info for any visitor or expat. The Local’s staff explain France’s complexities to those of us who weren’t born here, but got here as fast as we could! I’ve been a subscriber for years, listened to almost every podcast, and recommended subscribing to friends who were visiting/moving here. The Local provides hard news we need, updates on bureaucratic procedures we endure, and a nice dose of tantalising topics on food, even... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fwsunshine
    France9 months ago
  • Clear, smart, and fun!

    I love this podcast! I’ve learned so many interesting things about France!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    annezclayton
    United States10 months ago
  • Great for expats

    As an expat in France, I really enjoy this podcast which gives an informative look into French politics. I often hear about the subjects being discussed in France but struggle to focus on such complex topics in French which is my not my native language. The hosts do a good job breaking down the topics to an understandable level for outsiders such as myself. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    big fat nobody
    United States10 months ago
  • Fantastic show!

    I look forward to this show! The hosts keep me informed while keeping it light. As a new transplant to France, I appreciate the English language analysis of French news and culture.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mad Montessorian
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Engaging hosts with strong on-ground reporting and clear language for non-native French listeners.
Thoughtful, accessible explanations of French politics and life.
A reliable mix of hard news and cultural notes that's useful for expats.
Consistently well-researched with smart guests and lively banter.
Solid for expats seeking practical guidance on bureaucracy, housing, and travel in France.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Macron’s swan song, why France is mad for roundabouts and how Lyon became the home of gastronomy
Q: John, you have a theory or two on why there's so many roundabouts in France. What do you make of all this?
John argues that roundabouts arose from a need to address safety and traffic flow, notes that priority rules on French roads have historically contributed to their prevalence, and asserts that contemporary French driving culture has evolved but remains, in some places, unforgiving about rules—yet roundabouts are generally safer than traditional crossroad layouts.
Why the violence after football in France and will the French pay up for slavery role?
Q: Who was this not so gentleman and what exactly did he say?
The guest explains the remarks attributed to a French Open interviewee, who claimed that a match needs a male umpire and that women lack the strength to referee, which was deemed unacceptable and led to a substantial fine.
The €16 million French château scam and why 2027 could be a ‘scary’ year in France?
Q: What does the podcast reveal about Macron's current focus and public perception?
Macron remains active internationally, with foreign travel and a notable performance singing in Armenia, indicating a leadership style that balances foreign policy visibility with domestic political constraints.
The €16 million French château scam and why 2027 could be a ‘scary’ year in France?
Q: What are the implications of the Chateau de la Casine investment case for would-be investors in France?
The case shows how promises of luxury development can mask misappropriation of funds, with money moving to offshore accounts, investor outreach via social media, and legal actions spanning multiple countries.
The €16 million French château scam and why 2027 could be a ‘scary’ year in France?
Q: What is the current status of rent controls in major French cities, and what might happen this autumn?
The five-year trial on rent controls is due to end in the autumn, with a government review and potential renewal depending on findings; local authorities largely want to keep it, while there are concerns about overall housing market effects.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Talking France

What is Talking France about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly English-language briefing on current French affairs, politics, and culture with a lucid mix of analysis, context, and practical tips for expatriates and travelers. Episodes thread together politics (including local and national dynamics), media landscape, public policy, and everyday life in France, often featuring veteran reporters and subject-matter guests. Noteworthy strengths include accessible explanations of complex policy, a cosmopolitan host team with strong on-ground reporting, and a steady stream of expert perspectives that illuminate how national events play out at the local level. A distinctive edge is the blend of hard political analysis with cultural and language touchpoints, plus practical expatriate guidance on burea... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Talking France?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking France:

1. The Earful Tower: Paris
2. Join Us in France Travel Podcast
3. The News Agents - USA
4. News in Slow French (Intermediate)
5. The Rest Is Politics

How many episodes of Talking France are there?

Talking France launched 4 years ago and published 171 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Talking France?

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What guests have appeared on Talking France?

Recent guests on Talking France include:

1. Carolione Fazeli
2. Rosie Ellis
3. Katy Wright
4. Gisele Pellicot
5. Simon Kuper
6. John Lichfield

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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