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So French!

So French!

Stefan de Vries & Sara Bertilsson 83 Épisodes juin 28, 2026

A podcast based in Paris covering French current affairs, culture, and politics. The show is hosted by Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries. It offers insights into French society and news.

Épisodes

France's Record-Breaking Heatwave and Climate Policy Failures
France's Record-Breaking Heatwave and Climate Policy Failures juin 28, 2026 00:37:02 In this episode, Stefan and Sara discuss France's extreme heatwave, government responses to climate change, transparency issues in French politics, and upcoming French presidential elections. Stefan also tells how his journalistic nosiness led to a radical change in French public spending, or as Sara calls it, the "Lex De Vries".
From Abuse to Arsène Lupin: France’s Dark Reality and Favourite Fantasy
From Abuse to Arsène Lupin: France’s Dark Reality and Favourite Fantasy juin 12, 2026 00:33:05 This week on So French!, Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries look at two sexual abuse scandals shaking France: the killing of 11-year-old Lyhanna and the growing allegations against singer and actor Patrick Bruel. What do these cases reveal about the failures of the French justice system, the protection of women and children, and the way power shields powerful men?And after the darkness, a little
Cannes Fights Back Against France’s Right-wing Media Mogul
Cannes Fights Back Against France’s Right-wing Media Mogul mai 21, 2026 00:26:22 At the Cannes Film Festival, the biggest drama isn’t on screen. In this episode of So French, Sara Bertilsson and Stefan de Vries dive into the growing power of billionaire Vincent Bolloré over French media, cinema and politics. Can one media empire shape what Europe watches, thinks and creates?Plus: fresh trouble for presidential hopeful Édouard Philippe, the endless parade of Macron-era politica
The Presidential Circus Begins… and a War on Chicken
The Presidential Circus Begins… and a War on Chicken mai 7, 2026 00:36:24 S06E11: One year before France’s 2027 presidential election, the race is already crowded with old political heavyweights, ambitious newcomers and oversized egos. Stefan and Sara discuss the return of familiar names like François Hollande, Dominique de Villepin and Michel Barnier, the chances of Édouard Philippe and Jordan Bardella, and the question hanging over French politics: who comes after Emm
Macron at 10, Local Elections and Céline-Mania
Macron at 10, Local Elections and Céline-Mania avr. 11, 2026 00:30:30 Ten years after the launch of En Marche, we take stock of the Macron era. What has Emmanuel Macron’s promise of a political movement “neither left nor right” truly delivered? Has France been transformed, or has it become more divided than ever?We also unpack the results of the latest local elections, the final major political test ahead of the 2027 presidential race. What do these outcomes reveal
Power Plays & Michelin Stars: France Between Politics and Pleasure
Power Plays & Michelin Stars: France Between Politics and Pleasure mars 20, 2026 00:29:33 France heads to the polls and to the table in this new episode of So French. Stefan de Vries and Sara Bertilsson unpack the first round of the local elections, where nearly all races were decided in one go, yet the political landscape looks more fragmented than ever. Is this a preview of the 2027 presidential battle, or just another uniquely French paradox? In Paris, the high-stakes duel between R
From Nuclear Bombs to Tourism Booms
From Nuclear Bombs to Tourism Booms mars 6, 2026 00:37:04 A very French week of Power and Pleasure!France had quite a week. Macron deployed the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, reshaped France's nuclear doctrine, and floated the idea of extending the French nuclear umbrella to European allies,  including the Netherlands. Is this the moment Europe finally gets serious about its own defence? Or is this Paris doing what Paris doe
Trials, Files & Presidential Appetites
Trials, Files & Presidential Appetites févr. 5, 2026 00:28:03 In Episode 7 of So French!, we return to the courtroom, where far-right leader Marine Le Pen is battling to preserve her political future. Prosecutors want her conviction in the European Parliament fake jobs scandal upheld, including a five-year ban from office. Yet they stopped short of demanding immediate enforcement, leaving a narrow legal path that could still see her on the 2027 presidential
Habemus Budget and the rise of (another) Sarkozy
Habemus Budget and the rise of (another) Sarkozy janv. 22, 2026 00:34:13 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, a
Macron's Last Act and Bye Bye Bardot
Macron's Last Act and Bye Bye Bardot janv. 10, 2026 00:38:40 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 t
The XMas Edition: Dry Champagne & a Vegetarian Wolf
The XMas Edition: Dry Champagne & a Vegetarian Wolf déc. 21, 2025 00:37:11 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
France’s Promises, Ukraine’s Empty Hands
France’s Promises, Ukraine’s Empty Hands déc. 5, 2025 00:46:16 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 decadeGrand promises, geopolitical theatre… and hard realities.To separate s

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