Talking France

Why is France so negative about the Olympics, a new schools row and the secret Michelin critics

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Episode notes

In this week’s talking points we’ll look at why the French are so down about the Olympics right now. Are they understandably worried that everything’s going to go wrong and it’s going to be a disaster or are they just excelling at that famous Gallic sport of complaining?

And we’ll hear the story of France’s famous Michelin guide and who the secret restaurant inspectors are. We also examine the latest row around schools in France and learn about why the euro coins in your pocket are going to look a little different very soon.

And we ask the question why in France do political leaders only become liked once they are dead or retired?

Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France team; editor Emma Pearson, journalist Gen Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield.

To sign up for The Local's Paris Olympics guide weekly newsletter you can click here.

Further reading:

• OPINION: How to be loved by the French people? Retire or die
• Meet the new French faces on Euro coins
• Michelin unveils 62 newly starred restaurants in France

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