This week we’ll bring you up to date on the crucial 2026 budget that’s edging its way through parliament and look at what it might mean for you, plus news on the strikes that lie ahead in France.

We’ll find out about a plan to make American retirees pay into the French health system to guarantee they can get care, plus look at the impact of airbnb around France. Has it turned rural villages into ghost towns? And we’ll explain why the Paris catacombs have closed for five months

Host Ben McPartland is joined by the team behind The Local France website - Editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and French politics expert John Lichfield.

Further reading:

• OPINION: France's embattled PM has won some unlikely victories and may yet get a deal
• For all the coverage on the healthcare fee plan visit our Health page

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We simply cannot not discuss the 88 million euro jewellery heist at France's most famous museum The Louvre in this week's episode. How could it happen? Some blame lax security, others blame funding cuts, some blame Macron of course, whilst our politics expert recons France just has too much treasure to look after it all.

And France's government is hanging by a thread. Can it get a vital budget through parliament before Father Christmas comes?

And we'll find out France's new civics test for residency and citizenship applicants is all about and find out about France's cycling boom and why there's a new move to keep bikes off the pavements.

And we'll explore how to make the best impression if you're invited into a French home.

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

READ MORE:

• OPINION: Louvre jewel theft shows the France is simply too rich
• French government confirms civics and language test exemptions for over 65s

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You'll be glad to know things have become just a little clearer since last week when it comes to what is going on in France. Just a little.

We have a new government, we kind of have a new prime minister, we've had a major retreat by the French president Emmanuel Macron, and we have a crucial few weeks ahead of us in France, during which, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say, the future of the country is at stake.

We'll bring you all the latest of course on the chaos and crisis in French politics.

And we'll find out why thousands of Parisians have been sent text messages warning them of a catastrophic flood and look at the latest battle to protect the treasured French cheese Camembert.

And we'll give you the rundown on the best places in France to see incredible street art. It's not the Louvre of course.

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

READ MORE:

• OPINION - Macron has slammed France into reverse gear with pension surrender
• The small French village that hosts the world's only street art theme park

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