A former French president is set to spend some time behind bars in prison, quite a bit of time actually. Yes Nicolas Sarkozy, remember him, he’s been up to no good. Again. We'll hear about France's reaction to poor old Sarko being sent down and ask why are France's centre-right, law and order loving, politicians so... crooked? (Not all of them of course)

We'll also lament the demise of Paris's, perhaps even the world's most famous avenue - The Champ-Élysées. Is it now the worst street in the French capital?

We'll get the latest on the anti-government protests and strikes and find out if France will ever actually get one - a government that is.

We'll explore a must-visit French world heritage site in Dordogne and bring you up to date with France's roll out of the EU’s new border checks this autumn. Do Brits really need to prove they have medical insurance to get into the country?

Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

Further reading:

• OPINION: Sarkozy case poses a question - why are French conservatives so crooked?
• Six prehistoric sites in France you have to visit
• What's the deal with EES and medical insurance for British tourists in France?
• Step-by-step: How to renew the Brexit carte de séjour in France

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’ll look at whether France’s new prime minister can do anything to appease the obstinate opposition in parliament and whether he’s got any chance of calming the growing anger on the streets.

We’ll also find out why protests in France always spark a row over numbers, how Americans are being ripped off in Paris, why the French state may no longer pay for your 18-day trip to a thermal spa and why bullfighting is still legal in parts of France.

And stay to the end to find out how the French are obsessed with sexing up their film titles in English.

Host Ben McPartland is joined as ever by the team at The Local France, Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and John Lichfield.

Essential reading:

• KEY DATES: The strikes planned in France in September and October 2025
• American tourists charged extra in Paris restaurants, newspaper sting shows
• Puns, sex and urban legends: How English film titles are translated into French
• France plans to cut state-funded spa treatments for chronically ill patients
• How to avoid taxi scams in Paris

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's show we'll bring you up to date with the turmoil in France, which shows no sign of calming down. The country has another new PM, but another day of strikes, protests and potential clashes looms large. Is there any way the crisis can be resolved?

France's tax man is well nourished but there's a new plan gaining popularity that would see the country's richest pay more. But who's behind it and could it become law?

We'll also hear what you think of the French schools system? Is it rigid and old fashioned or does it help to produce well behaved, polite kids?

We'll look ahead to some of the best events in France this autumn and reveal whether the French really are better at making babies than the rest of Europe.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team at The Local France: Emma Pearson, Gen Mansfield and politics wizard John Lichfield.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.