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Talking France

The Local France
France
French Farmers Protests
French Immigration Bill
Emmanuel Macron
Marine Le Pen
Far-Right Violence
Agriculture
French Education System
Paris
Catholicism
Immigration Law
Gérard Depardieu
Gérald Darmanin
Extreme Right Groups
Immigration Bill
French Politics
Macron's Birth Rate Policy
Farmers' Protests
Abortion Rights
2024 Olympics

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes161Founded4 years ago
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Society & CultureNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Talking France

Latest Episodes

In this week's show we'll find out why the rules around France's sacred May 1st public holiday have sparked a political row to the point where some lawmakers have accused the government ministers of - quote -  "pissing all over us". 

We'll also hear... more

This week we'll find out whether France is running out of fuel or not and get the latest on how expensive it is to fill up your tank here.

We'll hear about a cautionary tale of how the French tax man caught an apparent 'non-resident' because of all ... more

On this week’s show we’ll find out how the war in the Middle East is impacting life in France as fuel prices rise and protests kick off around the country.

What can the government do to ease the crisis?

With the local elections out of the way Franc... more

We are out earlier than usual this week in order to bring you the results and analysis of the 2026 French local elections.

The definitive second round vote was held on Sunday in thousands of communes across France, from tiny rural villages to the bi... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Presenter and host with a deep connection to current affairs in France.
Emma Pearson
Co-host and team member at The Local France, known for her engaging discussions on French society.
Emma Albright
Co-host and new member of The Local France team, contributing insights on various topics.
John Lichfield
Veteran journalist and politics expert with extensive knowledge of French current affairs.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 206 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
    France6 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
    France6 months ago
  • Clear, smart, and fun!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    annezclayton
    United States7 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 States7 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 States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many reviews highlight the blend of seriousness and light-heartedness, making it both an informative and enjoyable experience.
The hosts are praised for their knowledge and ability to engage with the audience, making challenging subjects accessible and relatable.
Overall, it is seen as an essential resource for anyone wanting to stay connected to France's political and cultural landscape.
Listeners appreciate the informative and entertaining approach to complex topics in France, often describing it as a must-listen for expatriates and those interested in French culture.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

French tax traps you need to avoid and why Paris is divided in two
Q: Does the east-west divide in Paris look set to endure, and what are the social forces behind it?
Experts say the divide is deeply rooted in historical urban planning and socio-economic patterns, with the west housing wealth and corporate power while the east has more diverse, working-class areas; gentrification is changing neighborhoods but the structural divide is likely to persist for the foreseeable future.
French tax traps you need to avoid and why Paris is divided in two
Q: What are the practical implications of the EU's biometric border checks for travelers?
EES checks are being implemented but rollout is uneven: some ports and airports have only limited checks or are using 50% of passengers, with ongoing delays and adaptation required by operators and governments on both sides of the border.
French tax traps you need to avoid and why Paris is divided in two
Q: Can you walk us through Brittany's toll-free roads and how this policy came about?
Policy started in the 1960s to support regional development, funding major highways in Brittany as toll-free expressways. Toll-free sections are rare and Brittany remains unique in having no tolls on its roads, unlike most other regions where tolls are common.
French tax traps you need to avoid and why Paris is divided in two
Q: What is being done to speed up residency permits, and who is leading the reforms?
The Interior Minister announced a plan to hire 500 additional staff across prefectures, streamline processes, and adjust card renewal rules (e.g., extending fingerprint validity to 10 years) to prevent entitlements from being lost when people move. The aim is to reduce delays and improve accessibility.
French tax traps you need to avoid and why Paris is divided in two
Q: Emma, tell us more about the cautionary tale of the French footballer and how tax residency is determined.
The guest explains that residency is tied to living in France, working in France, or having the center of economic interests in France; substantial time spent in France (e.g., more than 182 days) can automatically trigger tax residency, even for non-residents, and authorities will use data like Deliveroo activity and travel records to assess ties to the country.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Talking France

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

A dynamic and insightful exploration of contemporary France, featuring discussions on pressing political, social, and cultural issues faced by the country. The episodes focus on a range of topics, from housing and immigration to political developments and cultural trends, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and nuances of life in France. Notably, the podcast incorporates a mix of expert commentary and relatable content, ensuring that listeners are both informed and entertained. It's particularly beneficial for expatriates and those interested in understanding the complexities of French society and politics, often blending serious topics with lighter segments, such as language tips and cultural anecdotes.

Where can I find podcast stats for Talking France?

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How many listeners does Talking France get?

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What are the audience demographics for Talking France?

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How many subscribers and views does Talking France have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Talking France has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Talking France?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking France:

1. Join Us in France Travel Podcast
2. The New Paris Podcast
3. The Earful Tower: Paris
4. The TLS Podcast
5. Political Fix

How many episodes of Talking France are there?

Talking France launched 4 years ago and published 161 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Talking France?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Talking France from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Talking France?

Recent guests on Talking France include:

1. Gisele Pellicot
2. Simon Kuper
3. 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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