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INSIDE FRANCE

Inside France: Street tensions, romantic films and France’s biggest TV star

From ever-increasing tensions on the streets to the big TV event of the week, plus some French grammar jokes and one romantic video, our weekly newsletter Inside France looks at what we have been talking about in France this week.

Published: 15 October 2022 09:15 CEST
Inside France: Street tensions, romantic films and France's biggest TV star
Tensions are mounting in France. Photo by Lou BENOIST / AFP

Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

We had a little bit of history in France this week, as the government for only the second time ever used the controversial power of ‘requisition’ to force striking workers back to their posts.

It’s true that there wasn’t a huge amount of public sympathy for the (well-paid) oil refinery workers who had brought some parts of the country to a virtual standstill by preventing fuel getting out to petrol stations.

Nonetheless, the government’s decision to use this power – created in 2003 and used only once since then – feels like quite a big deal. The right to strike is something taken seriously in France (rightly so, in my opinion) and any perceived attack on that does not go down well.

OPINION: The French government’s use of strike-breaking powers could be a political hand-grenade

It all feels like part of the general hardening of attitudes on both sides – Emmanuel Macron’s government and the unions/political left – as they gear up for a major conflict over pension reform. More strikes have already been called for next week.

It’s like when an unhappy couple get into a blazing row over something apparently very trivial – this is no longer about how big a pay rise those few hundred oil refinery workers get.

TV star

Macron was the guest of honour for the launch of a new political TV show in France called l’Evénement, submitting himself to an hour-long, live grilling on a wide range of international subjects. 

Following this very clever video from the Ukrainian defence ministry, Macron also announced more weapons for Ukraine.

A second part of the interview, focusing on domestic policy, will be shown next week.

There were a few clunky phrases that made news the next day, and he appeared to be slightly short-tempered at some of the lines of questioning from host Caroline Roux, but overall it was an impressive performance and there don’t seem to be many world leaders who could have convincingly answered questions on such a wide range of topics, on live TV, for an hour.

Say what you like about Macron (and God knows, the French do) but he’s an intelligent and articulate man.

Incidentally, did you know that Macron holds the record for the most-watched French TV programme of all time, and also takes the number 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 slots?

7 TV shows that will help you understand France

French grammar joke of the week

If you’re struggling with French grammar, it might make you feel better to know that you’re not alone.

And in my experience, no-one is better at this than the very funny bilingual comedian Loïc Suberville, who makes short films pointing up the (many) absurdities of the French language

Podcast

We don’t pretend to be as funny as Loïc, but we’re also talking about the French language – specifically the crazy world of ‘franglais’ adverts – in this week’s Talking France episode, where we also look at fuel blockades and high-stakes politics, energy-saving, fondue, Champagne and whether the French are really going veggie. Find it on Apple, Spotify or Google podcasts, download it HERE or listen on the link below. 

Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

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INSIDE FRANCE

Inside France: Violence, QR codes and stuffed animals

From violent unrest in a French territory to the QR codes required at the Paris Olympics, via D-Day and weird taxidermy, our weekly newsletter Inside France looks at what we have been talking about in France this week.

Published: 18 May 2024 07:38 CEST
Inside France: Violence, QR codes and stuffed animals

Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

High tension

After a relaxed week with a double holiday and most of the country taking a break, it seems that the news has come roaring back this week – first a highly dramatic jailbreak that left two prison officers dead and a fugitive at large, then the worst rioting in 30 years on the French island of Nouvelle Calédonie which left five people dead, and finally a man shot dead by police while apparently trying to set fire to a synagogue in northern France. It seems that there’s barely been time to breathe. 

These three things are, of course, not connected and in the case of Nouvelle Calédonie have followed years of political and ethnic tensions on the Pacific islands.

But it’s not surprising that people feel a bit punch-drunk at this series of events. Already right-wing parties are attempting to make capital out of this ahead of the European elections – a favourite tactic of the far-right in recent years has been trying to portray France as in the grip of an uncontrolled wave of crime and violence.

While no-one would deny that France has crime and that there are problems with violence, the statistics do not bear out this image of a ‘lawless’ country’. 

QR codes

Talking of security, the big topic in Paris this week has been whether we need QR codes to get around the city during the Olympics, after the security plan for the Games was unveiled in detail.

For many people this will bring back bad memories of Covid restrictions, attestations and health passes – although once you dig into the detail of the Games QR codes you realise that they won’t actually affect all that many people.

The areas that they cover are limited and the most onerous restrictions are only in place for the week leading up to the Opening Ceremony. You can find a complete guide to whether you need a code, and how to get one if you do, HERE.

Talking France

We look at the QR code situation on this week’s Talking France podcast, as well as France’s economic reality, the quirks of the French health system and the new ‘drive like a woman’ campaign.

Plus John Lichfield talks about his involvement in projects to commemorate D-Day in his Normandy home, and why the 1944 landings still hold such a special place in French hearts. Listen here or on the link below. 

Get stuffed

But my biggest question about France remains unanswered – why is weird taxidermy furniture so popular? If you’ve spent time at a French brocante you will likely have come across stuffed animal parts made into a variety of items from coathooks and ashtrays to – as below – chairs or stools.

Answers on a postcard, please.  

Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

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