France’s beloved national star, Johnny Hallyday, is still going strong! He lit up the Stade de la Beaujoire recently, playing to a crowd of over 33,000.

Bamissa, contestant on local French channel’s IDF1’s show Vous avez du talent (You’ve got talent), sings a moving a cappella ballad. We agree with the voters—she does have talent!

This Parisian poetry fair sees poets young and old, from all walks of life. Perhaps poetry is, as one attendee says, a link extended across space, time, and people.

The original lyricism, the striking rhythms, and the fragile melodies of up-and-coming singer-songwriter Buridane have made her career take off. She’s now launching a tour all over France and has been asked to perform at several big music festivals.

Singer-songwriter Elea Lumé gives us an enchanting live performance of her song “Diesel.” Under the stage lights, Lumé is luminous.

German metal band Rammstein has no shortage of fans. Listen to devotees describe just what it is that makes the band compelling enough to sell out ten thousand tickets in just two days.

The French singer Serge Gainsbourg is still remembered long after his death by fans, English rockers, and songwriter (and first lady of France) Carla Bruni.

Grab your bottle of rum, your peg-leg, and your black flag and sail the seas with Cré Tonnerre. Cha Cha Cha!

The Butte Montmartre is a famous Parisian tourist hot spot, much of it filled with teeming crowds of camera-happy visitors. But if you take a look down some of the side streets and back alleys, you may be surprised by all the magnificent sights to be seen.

Mozart fans, take note: Go in through the back door of the Vichy Opera House to see Jérôme Deschamps and his talented crew’s reimaginings of the famous composer’s works. Don’t worry—all the tunes are still pure Wolfgang.

Hélène and Célia tell us about their musical influences, origins, and inspiration. When they encountered prejudice about Africa and Africans upon coming back to France, Les Nubians used music to paint a truer picture of African culture.

Meet Les Nubians, two singer-songwriter sisters who grew up in both Paris and Chad and whose music has been nominated for several awards, including a Grammy (and not just in the World Music category, thank you very much). We know we’re big fans!

We hear a bit more from the lovely Pascale: on her beginnings in the musical world (she started early), her new album, and her music’s special combination of rhythm and soul.

French-Canadian singer-songwriter Pascale—who prefers to introduce herself in verse rather than give the usual “hello my name is”—tells us of the importance of maintaining optimism and lightness in the face of hardship.

Tired of stuffy old grammar exercises in text books? Come along with Lionel and learn something about the use of gender in French. This one’s fun, we promise — and no boring rules to memorize!