Emma Pearson
@emmapearson.bsky.social
Editor of The Local France, co-host of Talking France podcast. Paris resident, Yorkshire born, Castres Olympique 🏉 fan - [email protected]
The days of surprise winter sunshine are, imho, Paris' best days 😎
January 18, 2026 at 4:18 PM
The days of surprise winter sunshine are, imho, Paris' best days 😎
Reposted by Emma Pearson
The growth of Paris from 250 AD to the present day in 3 minutes.
🔎 CITY 3D TIMELAPSE
🔎 CITY 3D TIMELAPSE
January 17, 2026 at 8:15 AM
The growth of Paris from 250 AD to the present day in 3 minutes.
🔎 CITY 3D TIMELAPSE
🔎 CITY 3D TIMELAPSE
My parcel is apparently not only waiting for me, but waiting a well-behaved/patient fashion . . .
To quote In Bruges 'it's a fucking inanimate object'!
To quote In Bruges 'it's a fucking inanimate object'!
January 16, 2026 at 6:11 PM
My parcel is apparently not only waiting for me, but waiting a well-behaved/patient fashion . . .
To quote In Bruges 'it's a fucking inanimate object'!
To quote In Bruges 'it's a fucking inanimate object'!
This person clearly does not live in 🇫🇷 - loitering at a café table for hours with a single espresso while reading, day-dreaming, people-watching is a vital part of the culture here
(albeit some cafés are imposing rules on laptop use)
(albeit some cafés are imposing rules on laptop use)
Coffee shops should charge based on time at the table. I'm coming in and eating carrot cake and drinking my caramel latte in 10mins max. Why do I pay the same as the person with their laptop who's taking up a table for three hours and having the same thing?
January 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM
This person clearly does not live in 🇫🇷 - loitering at a café table for hours with a single espresso while reading, day-dreaming, people-watching is a vital part of the culture here
(albeit some cafés are imposing rules on laptop use)
(albeit some cafés are imposing rules on laptop use)
Another day, another parliamentary crisis in 🇫🇷
(and it may say something about the current political context that we have pieces already written on both of the emergency constitutional powers - Article 49.3 and Article 47 - that the PM is now resorting to)
(and it may say something about the current political context that we have pieces already written on both of the emergency constitutional powers - Article 49.3 and Article 47 - that the PM is now resorting to)
France says parliament approval of budget 'impossible'
France's government has halted budget discussions in parliament and is expected to announce on Friday a way forward after failing to gain backing from lawmakers for this year's spending bill.
www.thelocal.fr
January 16, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Another day, another parliamentary crisis in 🇫🇷
(and it may say something about the current political context that we have pieces already written on both of the emergency constitutional powers - Article 49.3 and Article 47 - that the PM is now resorting to)
(and it may say something about the current political context that we have pieces already written on both of the emergency constitutional powers - Article 49.3 and Article 47 - that the PM is now resorting to)
Is there someone in the UK who could buy it for you and send as a gift? My mum sends me books from the UK all the time and I never get charged customs fees on them - just make sure that the sender does a customs declaration, states that it is a gift, and declares that it is books
January 15, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Is there someone in the UK who could buy it for you and send as a gift? My mum sends me books from the UK all the time and I never get charged customs fees on them - just make sure that the sender does a customs declaration, states that it is a gift, and declares that it is books
So cheering when the mimosa arrives in French florists every January. It's like a little message from spring going 'don't worry, I didn't forget you' 😎
January 15, 2026 at 10:10 AM
So cheering when the mimosa arrives in French florists every January. It's like a little message from spring going 'don't worry, I didn't forget you' 😎
We captured one in the wild!
January 15, 2026 at 8:40 AM
We captured one in the wild!
Also in this episode we have a genuine French person demonstrating the pronunciation of some fun French words and phrases
Talking France: Is it time for France to channel De Gaulle and stand up to the US?
This week on Talking France we look at the reasons so many landlords in France get away with renting out hovels - even though there are supposed to be laws against it.We’ll look at just how safe ...
pod.fo
January 15, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Also in this episode we have a genuine French person demonstrating the pronunciation of some fun French words and phrases
New podcast episode
Was Charles De Gaulle right all along to mistrust the USA?
Plus - the Le Pen latest, French Alps avalanche risk and how landlords get away with renting out terrible apartments
Was Charles De Gaulle right all along to mistrust the USA?
Plus - the Le Pen latest, French Alps avalanche risk and how landlords get away with renting out terrible apartments
Talking France: Is it time for France to channel De Gaulle and stand up to the US?
This week on Talking France we look at the reasons so many landlords in France get away with renting out hovels - even though there are supposed to be laws against it.We’ll look at just how safe ...
pod.fo
January 15, 2026 at 7:17 AM
New podcast episode
Was Charles De Gaulle right all along to mistrust the USA?
Plus - the Le Pen latest, French Alps avalanche risk and how landlords get away with renting out terrible apartments
Was Charles De Gaulle right all along to mistrust the USA?
Plus - the Le Pen latest, French Alps avalanche risk and how landlords get away with renting out terrible apartments
Look, the world is [gestures vaguely at all the terrible stuff right now] but I still think that it's important for journalists to tackle the tough topics
Should you spit or swallow at a French wine-tasting?
You may have heard that real wine experts spit out each wine after tasting it, but if you're at a French wine tasting event you probably won't see a lot of spitting.
www.thelocal.fr
January 14, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Look, the world is [gestures vaguely at all the terrible stuff right now] but I still think that it's important for journalists to tackle the tough topics
France, there, taking back control of its borders . . .
France deports 10 British anti-migrant activists
France has issued 10 deportation orders against far-right British activists who had been involved in anti-migrant activities along the Channel coast.
www.thelocal.fr
January 14, 2026 at 9:01 AM
France, there, taking back control of its borders . . .
Marine Le Pen is back in court today so here's a quick roundup of what the case is all about, what happens next, when we get the verdict and what all this means for politics at both the French and the EU level . . .
(I don't think I'm being overly dramatic to have used 'seismic' & 'crucial')
(I don't think I'm being overly dramatic to have used 'seismic' & 'crucial')
5 minutes to understand the Le Pen case and what it means for France (and Europe)
This week Marine Le Pen heads back to court in France in a case that could have a seismic impact on both French and European politics - here's a look at the case itself, what happens next and what it ...
www.thelocal.fr
January 13, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Marine Le Pen is back in court today so here's a quick roundup of what the case is all about, what happens next, when we get the verdict and what all this means for politics at both the French and the EU level . . .
(I don't think I'm being overly dramatic to have used 'seismic' & 'crucial')
(I don't think I'm being overly dramatic to have used 'seismic' & 'crucial')
January 12, 2026 at 1:41 PM
It's all about this . . .
Just how did George and Amal Clooney get French citizenship?
They own a house here and they say they love France, but as people on this path will know, there's a little more to applying for French citizenship than that. So how did George and Amal Clooney become...
www.thelocal.fr
January 12, 2026 at 11:20 AM
It's all about this . . .
So! George Clooney does speak French after all - B2 level right there 😉 🇫🇷
George Clooney a parlé français aux Golden Globes
YouTube video by M6 Info
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:17 AM
So! George Clooney does speak French after all - B2 level right there 😉 🇫🇷
Reposted by Emma Pearson
Bonjour, afin de contribuer à la présence des institutions sur Bluesky (et leur permettre de faciliter leur exil de X) , j'ai créé ce starterpack des comptes institutionnels nationaux français présents.
January 8, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Bonjour, afin de contribuer à la présence des institutions sur Bluesky (et leur permettre de faciliter leur exil de X) , j'ai créé ce starterpack des comptes institutionnels nationaux français présents.
Here's the 1st Talking France of 2026!
🇫🇷 The plan to restrict social media access for teens
🇫🇷 Doctors, farmers and other New Year strikes/protests
🇫🇷 And exactly how the Clooneys became French (and why I am fine with that)
🇫🇷 The plan to restrict social media access for teens
🇫🇷 Doctors, farmers and other New Year strikes/protests
🇫🇷 And exactly how the Clooneys became French (and why I am fine with that)
Talking France: France takes fight to social media giants and how Les Clooneys became French
This week we’ll discuss the big talking point in France at the start of January 2026, which is just how did George Clooney and his wife Amal and their kids become French citizens?George doe...
pod.fo
January 8, 2026 at 6:58 AM
Here's the 1st Talking France of 2026!
🇫🇷 The plan to restrict social media access for teens
🇫🇷 Doctors, farmers and other New Year strikes/protests
🇫🇷 And exactly how the Clooneys became French (and why I am fine with that)
🇫🇷 The plan to restrict social media access for teens
🇫🇷 Doctors, farmers and other New Year strikes/protests
🇫🇷 And exactly how the Clooneys became French (and why I am fine with that)
More on that ban
Cows banned from iconic Paris farm show over virus fears
Paris' landmark farm show the Salon de l'Agriculture will be staged without cattle this year, due to fears about the contagious Lumpy Skin Disease.
www.thelocal.fr
January 7, 2026 at 3:25 PM
More on that ban
So sad that there won't be cows at this year's Paris Salon de l'Agriculture, the best bit of the event (in addition to the incredible selection of French cheeses/sausage/wine and the drunk French farmers)
Here are some of my favourite beasts from previous years 🐄🐮🐂
Here are some of my favourite beasts from previous years 🐄🐮🐂
January 7, 2026 at 3:00 PM
So sad that there won't be cows at this year's Paris Salon de l'Agriculture, the best bit of the event (in addition to the incredible selection of French cheeses/sausage/wine and the drunk French farmers)
Here are some of my favourite beasts from previous years 🐄🐮🐂
Here are some of my favourite beasts from previous years 🐄🐮🐂
Back in October, Eurostar said January 12th for the full rollout, not sure if they're still on course for that . . .
January 7, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Back in October, Eurostar said January 12th for the full rollout, not sure if they're still on course for that . . .
Reposted by Emma Pearson
Passed through (not travelling) St Pancras yesterday. With a bit of spare time I checked up on the progress of #EES Not looking good albeit not a busy day. Zone B (7 terminals) near check-in closed. I know currently only for Premium ticket holders and can be done at the French immigration booths.
January 7, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Passed through (not travelling) St Pancras yesterday. With a bit of spare time I checked up on the progress of #EES Not looking good albeit not a busy day. Zone B (7 terminals) near check-in closed. I know currently only for Premium ticket holders and can be done at the French immigration booths.
Anyone who has been apartment hunting in Paris is likely to have seen some hair-raising places. A friend of mine viewed a place where the advertised 'separate bedroom' was actually a hole in the floor of the living room where a mattress had been placed . . .
January 7, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Anyone who has been apartment hunting in Paris is likely to have seen some hair-raising places. A friend of mine viewed a place where the advertised 'separate bedroom' was actually a hole in the floor of the living room where a mattress had been placed . . .
France has some pretty strict laws for landlords. Enforcement, however, is another matter - especially in towns like Marseille and Paris where there is a housing shortage and desperate tenants will accept almost any shithole apartment
French landlord handed jail term for renting out tiny, mouldy, windowless apartment
A slum landlord who rented out a mouldy and windowless basement apartment in Marseille has been handed a two-year suspended prison term and fined €20,000.
www.thelocal.fr
January 7, 2026 at 9:52 AM
France has some pretty strict laws for landlords. Enforcement, however, is another matter - especially in towns like Marseille and Paris where there is a housing shortage and desperate tenants will accept almost any shithole apartment
Still brrrr. Canal basin frozen over ❄️☃️
January 7, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Still brrrr. Canal basin frozen over ❄️☃️