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 begin this week with French President Emmanuel Macron's recent TV appearance and plans to introduce several referendums as part of an attempt to win back the French people.
You can listen to Talking France on Spotify or Apple, download HERE or listen on the link below
France has its fair share of rodeos. The French press talks about them all the time, and they are something of a fixation for French law enforcement. But France's 'urban rodeos' have nothing to do with livestock. We find out about why French 'urban rodeos' are both dangerous and popular, as well as the history behind them.
Scholars of French history will likely be familiar with the Dreyfus affair, but you may not have realised the role it still plays in French society and how France's parliament wants to honour the wrongly accused Capitaine Alfred Dreyfus.
If you have ever considered a move to France, you were probably warned of the country's impenetrable bureaucracy. But according to The Local France's editor, Emma Pearson, French admin is not that bad. Our Talking France team spars off on the pros (and cons) of French bureaucracy.
And stick around until the end to hear about why one Paris Metro user was fined €150 for carrying a house plant, plus some of the Metro rules everyone should be aware of.
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
- Macron backs holding referendums on French social and economic reforms
- What are France's 'urban rodeos'?
- French lawmakers want Dreyfus promoted 130 years after scandal
- OPINION: Let's stop complaining, French bureaucracy really isn't that bad
- Paris woman fined €150 for taking 'too large' plant on the Metro
- Suitcases, pets and DIY equipment - what can you take on the Paris Metro?
Suggested resources on the Dreyfus Affair; Piers Paul Reid - The Dreyfus Affair (book) Robert Harris - An Officer and a Spy (book), France Inter - Alfred Dreyfus, le combat de la République (free podcast, in French) Origin Story - The Dreyfus Affair (podcast, subscribers only), J'Accuse film, directed by Roman Polanski (in French).
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