Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
In part seven of this series on Quebec, Olivier focuses on something that is dear to the hearts of many Québécois: the majestic Saint Lawrence River. He also explores their relationship with money and the way they conduct business. Olivier asks whether it's easier to do business in Quebec or in France. Quebec, it seems, offers more opportunities for companies, with fewer regulations and restrictions, while France remains a very productive country despite the thirty-five-hour workweek.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Canada, France
In part 8 of Le Québec parle aux Français, Olivier discusses the cost of maintaining a high standard of living. Is France living beyond its means? Heavy taxation and full employment would go some way toward balancing the national budget and covering the cost of welfare programs.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
Quebec may never answer the vexing question: Should Quebec remain part of Canada or not? While opinions are divided, Quebecois don't necessarily show the same passion as the French when debating hot issues.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
Quebec's current relationship with France is complex. French politicians tend to tread carefully regarding Quebec's sovereignty. For many years France adopted a policy of "neither indifference nor interference," a more neutral stance somewhere between a hands-off policy (which could be seen as complete abandonment) and an overly intrusive relationship. Sarkozy moved away from that policy, but his successor Hollande revived it.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
Oliver concludes this eleven-part series with a visit to Fort Chambry, where French and British armies fought over new Canadian territories. How did this affect the present? Olivier leaves us to draw our own conclusions and assures us that he is fond of the Québécois as much as they are fond of him. He shares his final impressions of Quebec in a lovely song at the end.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Paris would be an entirely different city today if the architect Le Corbusier had carried out his ambitious project for the capital. But Minister of Culture André Malraux put a stop to this and set out to preserve the historic heritage of Paris by introducing a new law. Find out what Paris could have looked like in this video!
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Josephine Baker, the legendary singer, actress, and cabaret dancer, played a very active role in World War Two in France. Using her celebrity as a cover, she helped with counterintelligence efforts during the French Resistance.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Josephine Baker was inducted into the Pantheon in recognition of her outstanding service during World War Two. Yet scholars have only just begun to study her contributions to the war effort.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Being born premature is risky, but thanks to modern medical techniques, six out of ten babies who are born greatly premature will grow up to be perfectly healthy children.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
In this new series, Le Jour où tout a basculé (The Day When Everything Turned Upside Down), a mother and son's close relationship is about to change. Enzo, who lives with his mother Murielle, runs into a man with a distinctive tattoo. Determined to track down the man, whom he believes to be his father, he starts an inquiry of his own despite his mother's skepticism.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Enzo is convinced a man with a thorny rose tattoo is his father. He can't wait to share his discovery with his mother, but she claims it's not possible: because of his shady past, his father can't be in the country. But Enzo doesn't want to believe her....
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Enzo's mother finally admits that she knew of his father's whereabouts and asks for Enzo's forgiveness for keeping it a secret. Enzo is still in shock and not ready to forgive her. He's following another lead, a young woman who may eventually take him to his real father.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Enzo unexpectedly meets his father for the first time at Angèle's house. Feeling extremely awkward, he cuts short his visit with Angèle, who, of course, doesn't understand. She later reveals her true feelings for Enzo, who recoils when she tries to kiss him. Angèle storms off, hurt and mystified.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Enzo meets Angèle's dad Brice again and seizes the opportunity to take a picture of him by pretending to admire his tattoo. His hopes of finding his real father are dashed when he shows his mother the photograph, and she doesn't recognize the face. The only bright spot in all this is that Angèle may not be his sister after all.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Enzo ruined his chances with Angèle, and their budding romance is shattered. Angèle feels totally betrayed as she learns the real reason of his pursuit: the search for his father.
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