Difficulty: Intermediate
France
The best way to teach primary school students about the Holocaust is a contested topic in France. (See our Le Journal video on France’s Holocaust memorial.) One idea, originally proposed by Nicolas Sarkozy at a dinner organized by the Conseil représentatif des institutions juives de France, has not yet been able to see the light of day.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Two students from Gabon were expelled from a French University and deported back to their home country for having low grades in school. One was even forced to leave behind his wife and young daughter (a French citizen). The government of Gabon is not pleased and may take measures to retaliate in kind.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
The young and the old are always the most severely affected by crises – a fact illustrated by this demonstration, in which the elderly clamor for emergency measures so they can make ends meet.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Whether heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, “jouets intimes”-sexual, or sexagenarian, women affirm that sexuality is not just for men.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Drinking and driving brings up serious questions of responsibility. If someone is hurt as a result of drunk driving, is it the driver’s fault alone, or do those who provided the alcohol share some culpability too?
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Neighbors, friends, and the people of France remember Lazare Ponticelli, the last Poilu, who saw one hundred and ten springtimes and two world wars before passing away in March of 2008.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lazare Ponticelli was the last of the “Poilus” — French infantry soldiers who served in World War I. Ponticelli, who was actually an Italian immigrant to France, first served in the French Foreign Legion and then eventually, the Italian army. He died in 2008 at the age of 110.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
It’s common to see photos of celebrities aged forty and up happily pregnant or pushing a pram. But according to most doctors, a woman’s chances of conceiving drop dramatically after age thirty-eight or so. Of course there are exceptions. Modern medical fertility treatments allowed a sixty-six-year-old Romanian woman to give birth to twins in 2005. But unless we’re willing and able to procure such treatments, which can be financially, emotionally, and physically draining, those who want to wait until their forties to have kids will have to take their chances.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
What’s in a name? Quite a lot, as it turns out! Thanks to changes in what land is covered by the Champagne Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (or AOC, the French method of labeling foods and wines according to region), some farmers will soon be able to start cultivating official champagne. But not everyone is a winner—some farmers will lose this prestigious appellation.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
In this episode of "Le Jour où tout a basculé" (The Day Everything Turned Upside Down), Sybille, a bored and lonely housewife, has developed the peculiar habit of spying on her neighbors across the street, much to her husband's dismay.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
In part one of "Le Jour où tout a basculé: Nos bébés ont été échangés" (The Day When Everything Changed: Our Babies Were Switched at Birth), a family is in turmoil. Frédéric is very jealous of his wife Anne-Sophie and accuses her of having an affair with an old flame. Although all the evidence seems plausible, is there another explanation?
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Soon after Claire and Harold move into their new Parisian apartment, strange things start to open. Their new neighbors explain that their new home may have been the scene of a murder. Claire believes it, but Harold remains skeptical. Will they be able to solve this mystery?
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Claire and Harold invite their new neighbors for drinks to get acquainted and thank them for their help. As the evening unfolds, the conversation becomes strained and strange things start to happen. Claire and Harold are left with many unanswered questions.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France None
Adèle always thought that her father was dead, until a mysterious letter from her so-called half-brother arrived in the mail. After being told repeatedly by her family that her father died in a car crash years ago, Adèle is confused and shaken by the letter.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France None
Adèle's mother tries in vain to keep the truth from Adèle, who found out her father might not be dead after all. A surprise visit complicates things even further.
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