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France finally has a budget and, for now at least, a government to go with it. In this episode of So French, Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries unpack how Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu pushed the 2026 budget through parliament using the notorious Article 49.3, why the Socialists backed away from a no-confidence vote, and what this very French political drama tells us about power, compromise, and fatigue. From Paris, the conversation widens to the world stage. At Davos, ⁠Emmanuel Macron⁠ warned against a global slide toward rule by force. At home, his stance is fiercely debated. Polls suggest the French are anxious, divided, and increasingly uncertain about where allies end and threats begin. Then, a classic So French twist. We turn to Menton on the French Riviera, where ⁠Louis Sarkozy⁠, son of ⁠Nicolas Sarkozy⁠, is making his first bid for office. Raised in the United States, outspoken, controversial, and backed locally by parts of the Macron camp, Sarkozy junior is stirring unease across the political spectrum and offering a glimpse of what the 2027 presidential landscape might start to look like. We wrap up with a quick note for international listeners, as the ⁠Louvre Museum⁠ raises ticket prices sharply for non-European visitors, reigniting debate over culture, access, and identity. French politics, global anxiety, dynastic ambition, and a touch of absurdity. Exactly as promised.

A new year, familiar chaos! In the first So French! episode of 2026, Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries look back at a turbulent 2025 in French politics and ask what lies ahead in the final full year of President Emmanuel Macron. From collapsing governments and record-low approval ratings to court rulings that reshaped the political landscape, we unpack the key moments that defined last year. And then we turn to 2026: a country without a budget, a fragile prime minister, and a growing cast of contenders already positioning themselves for the 2027 presidential race. From Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella to the ever-dramatic Rachida Dati and the lingering shadow of Nicolas Sarkozy, French politics promises anything but calm. We also briefly reflect on the controversy surrounding the death of Brigitte Bardot, once a global movie icon, who later turned into Brigitte Bigot, and the uncomfortable questions it raised about memory, legacy, and power. Sharp analysis with a tongue firmly in cheek and zero political downtime. Bienvenue to 2026! 🇫🇷

Christmas in France means lights, long dinners… and traditionally, plenty of wine. But something is shifting. In this festive Christmas edition of So French!, Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries meet Sarah Missaoui, founder of Déjà Bu, Paris’s first alcohol-free bar and drinks cellar. As more French people drink less or stop altogether, even during the holidays, what does that mean for a country so closely tied to wine and champagne? We talk sober trends, generational change, Dry January, and the powerful wine lobby that still enjoys strong political protection under wine-drinker-in-chief Emmanuel Macron. And then, from serious to sweet: a French Christmas commercial about a feared wolf who goes veggie has become a global viral hit. With music by Claude François and praise from the Daily Mail, it raises a simple question: is Christmas about what’s on the table – or about being together? A warm, sharp and very French end-of-year episode. Happy holidays from Sara and Stefan! 🎄🇫🇷

This week, So French goes deep into one urgent question: what is France really doing in the war in #Ukraine — and what does it mean for #Europe’s future? Two major shocks landed almost at the same time: 🔹 Donald Trump’s surprise 28-point “peace plan” 🔹 A French-Ukrainian deal for up to 100 Rafale fighter jets over the coming decade Grand promises, geopolitical theatre… and hard realities. To separate strategy from storytelling, Stef and Sara speak with Élie Tenenbaum, director of security studies at IFRI , France’s leading foreign policy institute. Why is France so far behind Denmark in real support to Ukraine? Why did Macron change course? And why is Europe watching peace talks between Washington and Moscow from the corridor? Expect blunt numbers, complicated truths… and a surprising conclusion about Europe’s strength. Plus: 🇫🇷 Nicolas #Sarkozy wrote 11 pages per day about his 20 days in prison. Sacré bleu ! 🐬 A rare piece of good news from the French Atlantic coast: dolphins are returning Follow So French for sharp analysis from Paris, politics with a human touch, and a European lens on a continent at a turning point. 📬 [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @sofrenchshow 🄾 Produced and hosted by Sara Bertilsson & Stefan de Vries 🎵 Original music by Laurent Bleu

In this episode, Stefan and Sara delve into the complexities of French politics, exploring the cultural psyche that influences political behaviour, particularly the reluctance to compromise. They discuss recent developments, including Amsterdam's new parking regulations targeting French tourists, the ongoing debates surrounding the French state budget, and the implications of Nicolas Sarkozy's release from prison. The conversation also touches on Rachida Dati's legal troubles and the historical context of France's political structure, culminating in a discussion about a rare calculating machine auctioned in France.

Ten years ago today, So French! was born — just one week before the terror attacks that would forever change France. As we relaunch our podcast in a turbulent political and social landscape, Sara and Stefan look back at a decade of transformation: from terror threats to TikTok-era extremism, and from François Hollande to Emmanuel Macron (and still, somehow, Nicolas Sarkozy). This week, we dive into France’s budget battle royale — a “Frankenstein” of a finance bill that might just sink the government. We track the scandal of the week, as ultra-fast fashion giant Shein opens its Paris flagship amid outrage over child-like sex dolls, and we check in on the Bling-Bling President now sitting in solitary. Plus: slow TV from Mont Saint-Michel, the Norwegians’ unexpected role in soothing French nerves, and what happens when you mix politics, pain, and the tides of time. 🇫🇷 Politics. Culture. Outrage. Beauty. Only on So French. Tune in — and vive la relance!

🎉 We’re Back! So French Returns After 5 Years 🇫🇷 After a five-year hiatus, So French is back — and celebrating 10 years since our very first episode! In this special relaunch, co-hosts Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries reunite to reflect on the past decade of podcasting about life in France, #politics, scandals (yes, plenty!), and the ever-evolving French society. Join us as we talk about what’s changed — and what hasn’t — since we last hit record: 🦠 Life post-COVID 🚴‍♀️ Cycling lanes in Paris 🎩 Familiar political faces (Sarkozy, anyone?) 🌍 A fresh European perspective from Amsterdam to Paris and back 🎙️ New format, more guests, and now… video! Whether you’re a longtime listener or just discovering us, So French is your go-to dose of wit, insight, and all things français. 📅 First full episode drops November 5th – exactly 10 years after our debut. Subscribe now and say bonjour to a new era of So French!

It's the seventh week of the National Strike. Will we see any major developments, or will the country stay chaotic over the next couple of days? What's at stake in the upcoming local Elections? Will the pension reform diminish Macron's chances? And who will become the next Mayor of Paris? A dustman in Paris was fired because someone tweeted that he was taking a nap. What's behind this story? Recorded in Paris, 19 January 2020.

This week: Black Thursday is coming! On December 5, a national strike will paralyze the country. It could well last until the New Year. How to survive what could become the biggest strike in decades? Another black day for the French Army, when 13 soldiers died in a helicopter accident during an anti-jihadist operation in Mali. France’s military involvement in Africa is now in question. Turning Black Friday green? As the infamous November took its grip on France, the country’s politicians are getting ready to put the breaks on the shopping frenzy. And will Sara and Stefan quit drinking in the New Year? Emmanuel Macron thinks it's not such a good idea to participate in Dry January. Recorded in Paris, November 30, 2019.

Parlez-vous franglais? The French are not known for speaking English fluently. Or any other foreign language. Our guest, Giuseppe Fantigrossi of the start-up Play2Speak, will tell us why that is the case, and more importantly: how the French can finally improve their foreign language skills. This weekend, it has been one year already that the Yellow Vests started their protests. And they are continuing. There were violent clashes in Paris again this Saturday. It coincided with the day the first half of Macron's (first?) five-year mandate ended. To put more pressure on the President, a national unlimited strike, in public transportation, but probably also in schools, hospitals and other public services will start. How warm is this Winter going to be for the French Government? Also: at the very chic Culture Ministry, a high-ranked civil servant drugged hundreds of young women to make them urinate in front of him. A “crazy pervert” says the Minister, but how come he wasn’t stopped earlier? Recorded in Paris, November 16, 2019

Seine-Saint-Denis is France's poorest district. In 2024 it will be the main site of the Olympic Games. This week the government presented a plan to improve life for its 1.6 million inhabitants. What are the challenges? And is the plan sufficient? Bad news for New York Foodies: in 2023, all foie gras will be banned. We talk with New York Chef Hugue Dufour, who is not amused with the ban. On this side of the Ocean, Halloween is getting more and more popular every year. Ten years ago, the French couldn't be bothered by this very American party, but now they spend 1.3 billion euros on the scary party. Why do they like it? Hosts Sara and Stefan discuss the new tradition. Recorded in Paris on November 2, 2019.

Once every while debate rages in France about Muslim veils. This week another high-point was reached: the topic was discussed in no less than 85 (!) TV programmes, with 286 talking heads, not one of them being a veil wearing muslim woman... In the country that has 'Liberty' and 'Equality' in its publicity slogan, many people would like to see restrictions on the way people dress. And by 'people', they often mean 'Muslim women'. Is banning the headscarf a legitimate way of defending France's 'values' (whatever they may be) or is it an open war against Muslims? We also talk about another immigrant whose clothing obsessed the French: Marie-Antoinette. In two centuries, the image of the Austrian princess transformed into a pop icon. A new exhibition in Paris ‘celebrates’ her life. Recorded in Paris, on 19 October 2019

Hosts Sara and Stefan are baffled by this week's media frenzy following former President Jacques Chirac's death. Why did French media go bananas with their coverage? They also discuss the fire at the chemical plant in Rouen. The aftermath showed once again that French citizens have very little trust in government institutions. And to a certain extent, that distrust is justified by the way French authorities has been handling some severe health crises in the past.

The schools have started again, the Rentrée is almost forgotten, yet the debate on how to reform the old fashioned and underperforming French education system is still raging. The OECD published a report comparing school systems around the World, and the French are not the best pupils. We go into detail of these findings with our special guest Juliette Buisson, Middle School Teacher in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. And also: Patrick Balkany is without a doubt France’s most colourful white-collar criminal. For decades, this flamboyant politician divided his time between lavish properties in Saint-Martin, Marrakech and Giverny. He’s now spending his nights in prison. Recorded in Paris, October 20 and hosted by Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries

The crazy hot Europan Summer is over and that means we're back with So French! It is our fifth Season already. And we are recording in a brand new studio not far from the Eiffel Tower. In this week's episode: France is getting serious about violence against women, while Brazil is insulting Macron. Also: the families of the victims of Air France flight 447 were shocked to learn that the investigating judges will drop their inquiry into the causes of the crash. And: victory for Maurice, the roaring rooster.