Talking France

What that 'slap' says about the Macrons and French farmers fight the future


Published: 28 May 2025 at 16:51 Europe/London

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Episode notes

In the line up this week we'll explain what prompted the huge reaction to that coming together between Brigitte Macron's hands and Emmanuel Macron's face. 


You must have seen the video by now. We don't know what happened but we do know what happened next.


And from taxi driver blockades to farmers protesting in tractors and mysterious blackouts in the south, we'll bring you the latest on ongoing protests and disruption around the country as well as explain the huge paradox in French food farming.


And on the subject of food, why - if France has the perfect diet and all French people are slim and in shape as the cliche goes - is the government bringing out an obesity plan which many say is long overdue.


We'll also find out about the worst French city to be in during a heatwave and which of the country's famous museums and galleries will be charging non-EU residents more to enter.


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


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