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TALKING FRANCE

PODCAST: Macron breaks war taboo, why Lyon is the place to move to and French language test tips

The team at The Local have a new series of the Talking France podcast, looking at all the latest news in France and the realities of French life, from Emmanuel Macron's military plans to tips for passing your French language test, via moving to Lyon and why the French taxman might be spying on your social media.

PODCAST: Macron breaks war taboo, why Lyon is the place to move to and French language test tips
The Local's podcast Talking France

Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local’s Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield to talk through all the latest happenings from France. 

The big talking point this week is of course Emmanuel Macron’s words on the possibility of sending ground troops into Ukraine – we look at what is on the table, why Macron said what he did and France’s military power within Europe. We also take a quick glance at that hoary old cliché of the French army being keen to surrender.

You can find Talking France on Spotify, Apple or Google podcasts, download here or listen on the link below

Moving on to more practical topics, we’ve got the low-down on France’s biggest farm show – why there were clashes this year, the background to the show’s popularity with politicians and why it’s a great day out. 

And could your new Facebook friend be the French taxman in disguise? Tax authorities have been given the green light to go ‘undercover’ by creating fake social media profiles to catch out tax-dodgers.

France’s third biggest city Lyon has recently come top in a ‘livability’ survey so we’re chatting about some of the reasons you might want to move there.

Finally, we share some tips on passing the French language exam, based on our recent experiences of taking the test.

Talking France is a free podcast made possible by paying members of The Local. You can subscribe here, or you can also help us out by leaving a review on the platform where you get your podcasts.

Member comments

  1. As of 16:37 today, there doesn’t seem to be a link in the two emails sent to listen to this podcast, nor does it show up on your website, nor is it on Spotify. The latest podcast is from February 15. I would love to hear this week’s podcast. Please link it up.
    Love the show, btw, it’s always informative and entertaining.

    1. Many apologies, the email was sent in error and went too early. We’ll have the podcast up first thing on Thursday. Thanks for your kind words and hope you enjoy this one

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TALKING FRANCE

PODCAST: Can France accept major tax hikes and what’s gone wrong with croissants?

This episode of Talking France gets to the bottom of the latest talking points in France, from the slow-moving political crisis to the best French cities for walkable neighbourhood amenities and whether French croissants and baguettes are getting worse.

PODCAST: Can France accept major tax hikes and what's gone wrong with croissants?

The Talking France podcast is back with another episode discussing the latest talking points from France.

This week, host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France’s Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield to discuss why France still does not have a government, and how the new PM will handle France’s deficit problem.

You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below

The team also discusses the top French cities that are closest to reaching the ’15-minute city’ goal, where essential goods and services are only a short walk or bicycle ride away. 

We also take a look at the opposite question – the most isolated and empty parts of France, for those interested in finding some peace and quiet.

In light of upcoming travel changes, our team gives an overview of new border checks in the Schengen zone, as well as details about the visa-free waiver, ETA, to visit the UK, soon to be introduced for Americans and Europeans.

We also discuss French food rules for children – from chocolate recommendations to time spent gathered around the table – as well as the prickly question: are French croissants and baguettes getting worse? Our listeners and readers have the answers.

Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of paying members of The Local – if you would like to support us you can find out more here. You can also help us by leaving us a review, or just telling a friend about Talking France.

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