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About The Local France
The Local’s goal is to give you all the news and essential information you need about France. Whether you are a foreign resident, a frequent visitor, someone with family in France or are planning a move to the country, our aim is to provide what you need.
Because The Local is staffed by people who have set up lives abroad, we have a keen understanding of the challenges our readers face and we work closely with our members in France to bring you the stories and practical tips that really matter.
The Local was founded in 2004 and we now have a team of dedicated journalists on the ground in nine countries. In 2018 we launched membership and in 2021 we were thrilled to reach a milestone of 50,000 paying members. This support means everything to us and makes us more determined than ever to continue investing in our award-winning independent journalism.
Meet The Local Team
Emma Pearson
Editor, The Local FranceOriginally from Yorkshire in the UK, Emma worked as content editor at the Lancashire Evening Post before moving to France. She joined The Local as France editor in 2019.
Emma Albright
Journalist, The Local FranceEmma Albright is half-French and half-American and has lived her whole life in France. She has been writing for The Local France since 2026.
John Lichfield
ColumnistA former foreign editor and France correspondent at The Independent, John is a regular columnist and one of the foremost experts on France writing in English.
James Harrington
ContributorJames is a freelance journalist who moved from northern England to southwest France in May 2009.
Ben McPartland
Managing EditorBen comes from the UK and became the first editor of The Local France in 2013. He now heads the editorial team from Paris.
Emma Löfgren
Deputy Managing Editor & Editor, The Local SwedenEmma returned to her native Sweden and joined The Local in 2015 after an eight-year stint in Scotland.