Every year, a portion of Paris turns into a miniature beach where people of all ages can play games and bask in the sun.

During the summer, a portion of Paris reinvents itself as "Paris-Plage" [Paris Beach]. The capital turns into a vacation spot by providing water access and outdoor activities near the Seine and other waterways like the Canal de l'Ourcq.

The Paris mayor's office set up an outdoor exhibition at the Bastille recounting events that took place on the site of the famous prison. Most people know that the Bastille was stormed during the French Revolution of 1789, but not many people are aware of other important events that took place before and after the Revolution.

The Canard Enchaîné (Chained Duck) recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary. The independent satirical newspaper, known for its shocking headlines, survived many controversies and even censorship. It still has an avid fanbase today.

Meet Jacques Guillaume, electric razor repairman extraordinaire. He's been fixing razors since 1962 in his tiny Paris workshop, and quite successfully at that. He's had many famous customers over the years, from interim president Alain Poher to actor Eddie Constantine.

Lionel discusses the French Academy's latest spelling reform, which includes such modifications as removing the i in oignon (onion) and the circumflex in coût (cost). There's been a fair amount of backlash against the reform, though the changes are only recommended, not mandatory.

A very unpopular labor law caused Parisians to protest near the Bastille before it was passed in 2015. President François Hollande invoked Article 49-3 of the Constitution to force this law through. The protests continued after the law was successfully enacted in 2016. For more information, you can visit the Nuit Debout and Convergence des Luttes websites.

When the weather is nice, Parisians meet up on the riverbanks every weekend to dance, talk, and spend time with friends. For those who love dancing, there are free salsa, hip-hop, and Afro-Cuban dance lessons. It's a party!

Lionel takes us to the friendly Butte aux Cailles neighborhood in Paris. Its village-like atmosphere is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the capital. The Butte aux Cailles was formerly part of the small town of Gentilly before being attached to the city of Paris.

Lionel goes to the Louvre Pyramid, which was commissioned by former President François Mitterrand and designed by the architect I.M. Pei. Located in the Cour Napoléon (Napoleon Courtyard), the pyramid is one of the most famous selfie sites in the world.

Lionel talks about life under quarantine in France. All group activities are forbidden, and you can only go outside to walk your dog, go to the pharmacy, or shop for basic necessities.

Lionel talks about how the French people are doing after a month of confinement. He misses his hairdresser...

In this video, from the beginning of May 2020, Lionel talks about the various deconfinement measures taking place in France. The country has been gradually reopening throughout the month of May.

In May 2020, France entered its deconfinement phase. While the French people are no longer expected to obtain written permission for leaving their homes, they still have to exercise caution and wear masks in most public places.

Lionel describes the latest measures taken by the French government regarding the COVID pandemic. A curfew has been enforced in major cities in an effort to contain the virus.