With a minimum of 30 days of paid leave per year, French people have the reputation of being on vacation all the time. During the summer months of July and August, parts of the country virtually shut down. So, what do they do with these cherished “congés payés”?

Too much holiday? Exploring France’s love affair with time off

France is famous around the world for its beautiful sights and delicious food, but it’s also infamous for its aggressive drivers. The French are the first to admit that it can things can get hairy on the roads, especially in Paris. From drivers speeding to those who give the finger, driving in France can be a terrifying experience. In addition, some traffic rules can be downright confusing and getting a licence is something of an obstacle course. In this episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula buckle up and explore French driving culture.

Do the French deserve their reputation of being aggressive drivers?

This week, we explore the upcoming French legislative elections, the so-called "third round" of the presidential race. This time, French voters are electing 577 MPs to the Assemblée nationale, the lower house of parliament. Though arguably just as important as the race for the Élysée Palace, turnout tends to be lower. So do these elections work? We tell you more in this edition of French Connections.

France votes again: What's at stake in the legislative elections?

We focus on one of the most iconic features of life in the French capital: not the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame Cathedral, but the Paris underground metro network. How has it evolved since it was first inaugurated 120 years ago? And how is it dealing with current challenges like the growing number of commuters, as well as strike action? In this episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula take a trip underground to discover the Parisian metro.

Going underground: The ins and outs of the Paris metro

Recent visitors to France will no doubt have noticed the return of foreign tourists. Two years of Covid-19 took a heavy toll on what is otherwise a booming business and an important part of the French economy. Now things appear to be looking up again for the tourist industry. For decades, France has been the number one tourism destination in the world, ahead of Spain and the US. So what explains this lasting success? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

They're back! Why is France so popular with tourists?

Compared to other industrialised countries, French people tend to live relatively long lives. Currently the oldest person alive in the world is a French woman: a Catholic nun living in the South of France. So what’s the secret? Do long lunch breaks and red wine have something to do with it? What’s the economic impact of an aging population and what can the country do to improve care for a growing number of dependent people?

The secret to long life? Why life expectancy is long in France

Presidential elections happen all over the world, but France has its own, unique way of doing things. While there's always some suspense around who will end up in the Élysée Palace, there are some pretty clear rules about getting there: whether it's campaign financing, how much media access the candidates get and how the vote happens on election day. In this episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula take a closer look at the protocol governing the French presidential election.

The ins and outs of the French presidential election

The French presidential election is just around the corner. With the official campaign period in full swing, we explore a particularity of the French electoral system: a candidate's access to mass media. France has a very egalitarian view when it comes to a candidate's access to TV and radio. The idea is for candidates, big or small, to have an equal playing field and for voters to have access to a wide range of ideas. But is this complex system still in step with modern politics?

French presidential election: How France regulates candidates' air time

The first round of the French presidential election is now only a month away. Twelve candidates are vying for the French presidency – a unique, immensely powerful institution. Experts say it's the most powerful office in the democratic world. How much authority and might does France's leader have on the national and international stages, and what are the other perks that come with the top job? In this episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula explore the many powers of the French president.

The powers of the French president: A modern-day monarch?

In this edition of French Connections, we look at some of the fallout of the war in Ukraine here in France. Events that would be grabbing headlines have been overshadowed. That’s the case of the beloved Paris Agriculture Fair, although the conflict in Ukraine has got French farmers worried about a rise in the price of grain feed and fertilisers, as well as higher energy prices. Meanwhile, the French presidential campaign, which would normally be the centre of attention, has also been put on the backburner.

War in Ukraine overshadows Paris Agriculture Fair

A quirky, insider's guide to understanding France and the French, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Thursday at 1:50pm. And join us for French Connections Plus on the last Thursday of the month at 4:15pm.

In this week's edition of French Connections, we focus on something very important that follows you around your whole life: your name. While names can be a source of pride, they can also be a heavy burden for some. In France, changing your last name could be about to get a lot easier. French lawmakers are debating a bill that would simplify the procedure, especially for people who want to take their mother's last name. We also look at the rules surrounding first names and some French favourites.

What's in a name? France overhauls rules on name changes

France is considered one of the top destinations in the world for winter sports, known as "les sports d'hiver". They're a major part of the country’s tourism industry. Ski culture goes beyond the slopes, and like many things in France, it also involves a lot of food. But has skiing become too expensive? And how can resorts cope with climate change? In this episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula slalom the ins and outs of the white gold that is French skiing.

Skiing in France: Beautiful slopes, delicious food… but too steep a price?

What makes gruyère unique? The mild, smooth and nutty cheese is a staple in Switzerland and France. Like many beloved cheeses, it’s highly protected. In France and Switzerland, to be able to call their cheese "gruyère", producers have to follow strict production rules. French and Swiss gruyère makers had hoped to extend this exclusive right to the name to the US market. But in a major blow, a federal judge ruled that gruyère is generic and can be produced anywhere. French and Swiss producers have vowed to appeal the decision that sets a precedent in a much larger ongoing battle between the US and Europe over food labelling.

'Gruyère gate': A big stink over a cheese name

For Parisians, the metro ticket is a familiar feature, but one that's gradually disappearing. Public transport authorities in the French capital have started withdrawing the books of 10 cardboard metro tickets known as "le carnet". While the physical paper metro ticket that many Parisians are attached to will not vanish overnight, it's a shift towards a more modern and eco-friendly paperless future. It's not the first time the ticket has evolved. In many ways, the history of the metro ticket mirrors evolutions in French history. We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

Are the days of the beloved Paris metro ticket numbered?

France's prominent Le Petit Robert dictionary, considered a linguistic authority in the country, recently added a new pronoun to its online edition. The word is "iel", a gender-neutral merging of the masculine "il" (he) and the feminine "elle" (she). This new pronoun, intended for those who identify as neither male nor female, is already used online and by younger generations. But the move to include it in the dictionary provoked a backlash from politicians and linguists. One vocal critic of the new pronoun is French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer. He says it's the latest expression of "wokism" which, he claims, threatens France's universalist model. We take a closer look.

A big fuss over a little word? New French pronoun 'iel' sparks debate

American-born entertainer-turned-resistance fighter and civil rights activist Josephine Baker is the latest to get the ultimate recognition from the French state: entombment in the Pantheon. That begs the questions: what does it take to be a national hero in France?

What does it take to be a national hero in France?

In this week's French Connections, we're climbing aboard an institution: the TGV. France's cherished bullet train is an important part of the landscape and has been connecting far-flung parts of the country for more than 40 years. The first TGV voyage was inaugurated by president François Mitterrand in September 1981. Not only was it an industrial feat, it also revolutionised modern train travel and decentralised the country. But what does the TGV of the future look like? We take a closer look.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's France's TGV high-speed train!

When you picture the French capital, you probably think of beautiful monuments, romantic cafés and pretty parks. But for many tourists in Paris, the city is just too dirty. Whether it’s the urine-soaked streets, ubiquitous dog poop or countless cigarette butts, the reality of everyday Paris is often at odds with the postcard version. Paris authorities pump a lot of money and manpower into keeping the city clean. So what's the problem? Could it be Parisians themselves? In this episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula investigate the capital's filthy reputation.

Is Paris a dirty city?

This week, we dip into the world of France’s most iconic cheese: le camembert. It’s a national symbol that French people are very proud of, but recently Italian mozzarella outsold camembert in France. Has there been a major change in the hearts and minds of the French? Meanwhile, small and industrial-scale producers of camembert have been waging a war over the brand. What’s the traditional recipe, and how do you choose a good camembert?

Camembert culture: Dipping into the world of France’s most iconic cheese

France's third-favourite pastime, just after football and fishing, is hunting. The ancestral activity is a divisive one today, with passions running high between those who defend hunting traditions and a growing number of animal rights activists. Though the hunting lobby is strong, a majority of French people have an unfavourable view of hunting. In recent years, hunters have been on a mission to change hearts and minds and defend their rural way of life. So is it working? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

Hunting: France's divisive pastime

<p>A quirky, insider's guide to understanding France and the French, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Thursday at 1:50pm. And join us for French Connections Plus on the last Thursday of the month at 4:15pm.</p>

French connections

The best podcasts on investing. For anyone interested in the stories in the investing industry, whether it's an interview with Ray Dalio or Ed Thorp to the writer of The Big Short. This topic includes the most fascinating stories from all the best investors. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Investing Podcasts

The best podcasts about ourselves as well as the world through the lense of Science. Specific topics include things about our brain, emotions to biology, physics and more!