This week we'll find out about how toxic green algae on Brittany's famously picturesque beaches claimed the life of a French jogger and perhaps others plus the role French farming and even the state played in his death.

We'll also look at the far less sparkly side of France's prestigious Champagne industry that's exposed how badly grape pickers are treated and bring you all the details about how you can take a swim in the Seine in the heart of Paris this summer.

And we'll explore why France has avoided the kind of anti-tourism protests seen in Spain and look at some of the famous French sites that have been hit by over-tourism and offer you some fantastic alternatives instead.

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

Extra reading:

• Green algae found along French coastline responsible for jogger's death, rules court
• 10 alternatives to France's overcrowded tourist hotspots
• French champagne makers face human trafficking trial
• Everything you need to know about swimming in the Seine in Paris this summer
• How has France avoided Europe's anti-tourism protests?

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Up this week : It's been another bad week for the reputation of French politicians. We'll discuss why they are so naughty, and when I say naughty I mean corrupt, rather than bed hopping.

And we'll also bring you the good news that Paris and Charles de Gaulle airport will soon have a direct train link that's been centuries in the making. Although there's some bad news too given how much it's going to cost.

We'll find out why France has been so successful in creating high speed trains and not so good at local rail links, why the French name police are so powerful and whether or not foreigners in France should swear like a local.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's mostly foulmouthed duo Emma Pearson and Gen Mansfield as well as the always elegantly spoken John Lichfield.

Extra reading:

• The French baby names banned by law
• 'It doesn't sound as vulgar': The verdict on swearing in French
• French ex-president Sarkozy stripped of Legion of Honour
• French ex-PM Fillon given suspended prison sentence over wife's fake job
• 'Rail golden age': French trains more popular than ever (despite strike threats)

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This week we discuss a shocking incident which saw a teaching assistant stabbed to death by a pupil outside a French secondary school, and find out what the government plans to do, to tackle what the president has described as a "senseless wave of violence".

We'll also find out about the efforts Paris is going to to protect the Seine and reveal all about Paris's second, secret river, that may be given a new life.

We'll find out whether flight passengers in France and around Europe are going to lose out through a planned change in the compensation rules and we'll examine the threat of violence linked to far right extremism in France after a Tunisian was murdered in a suspected terror attack.

And stay to the end to see whether you can spot which famous world changing inventions came from France and which very French-sounding creations didn't.

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

EXTRA READING

• France eyes social media ban for under-15s after school stabbing
• 12 world-changing inventions that came from France
• Paris unveils plans to bring forgotten underground river back to surface
• Paris seeks personhood status for River Seine
• ANALYSIS: How much of a threat is extreme-right violence in France?
• Passenger compensation for flight delays set to decrease in Europe

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