The Talking France podcast is back and picking through the recent war-like rhetoric heard in France, as well as the crisis for the French wine industry, possible changes to the school day and and early look at next year’s crucial elections.
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France’s Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield to discuss all the latest news and talking points from France.
It’s all gone a bit martial in France this week, with a top general and the president warning of the threat from Russia and the need to “be prepared to lose children”, plus a new emergency survival guide published. What does all this mean, and is it really an attempted political distraction?
Listen to the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download here or listen on the link below
From real war to virtual war – we’re looking at the key battlegrounds of the 2026 local elections, why they are important and what – if anything – they reveal about France’s complicated and fractured political landscape.
France’s wine industry is in trouble, with winemakers holding a crisis meeting with the government this week to ask for help in confronting the raft of problems that they face, from climate change and US tariffs to changing tastes.
And a citizens’ council has revealed its recommendations for the French school system, from later starts to scrapping the Wednesday day off.
Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of paying members of The Local – find out more about our Black Friday offer for new subscribers here.
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