Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel L introduces a new social phenomenon called "Nuit Debout" ("Up All Night" or "Rise Up Night"). It's a protest movement born from a general discontent regarding politics, labor laws, and other issues. At 6 p.m. every day, people take to the streets of Paris to discuss ideas and air their grievances. The movement is gathering momentum in other cities and countries as well.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
In part two of "Nuit Debout" (Up All Night), Lionel explains how protesters gather every night at Place de la République in Paris to think of alternative politics for a better world. The "Nuit Debout" movement has its own coded language and even its own calendar!
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Lionel concludes his series on Nuit Debout. The protest movement, expressing discontent with politics in general, is spreading. Lawyers have joined the fight, and the attitudes of the media and politicians toward the movement are slowly shifting.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel discusses the French government's recent decision to invoke Article 49-3 of the Constitution in order to push through a controversial labor bill without a parliamentary vote. He also gives a brief description of the differences between the two houses of the French Parliament, the Senate and the National Assembly.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel shares his opinions on French President François Hollande's first term and on the upcoming presidential elections in 2017. He predicts a "new triangle" of presidential candidates: Hollande, Marine Le Pen, and Nicolas Sarkozy.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel tells us about the Seine's recent flooding, caused by severe weather conditions in Paris and surrounding areas. A statue of a French soldier below the Pont de l'Alma acts as an indicator of the river's water level.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel takes us to a repurposing festival. It's the second edition of this festival in the Marais neighborhood, offering a great opportunity to recycle, repurpose, and reuse everyday objects that would otherwise be discarded. It's also a great way of taking care of our planet.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel gives us the latest updates on France's Nuit Debout protest movement. Though the movement is no longer centered around Paris's Place de la République, it's still gaining traction online.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
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.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel stays in Verdun for part two of this series. You will see the remains of the famous Battle of Verdun, which took place in 1916 and lasted ten months. The French soldiers were called poilus or "hairy men" because of their unshaven faces. Verdun also has a magnificent cathedral with stained glass windows.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel and Jean-Pierre try to find their bearings along the Lindre pond. Luckily they have a compass! Jean-Pierre will teach you how to use a compass and explain the difference between true north and magnetic north.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel and Jean-Pierre conclude the Lindre-Basse series from the top of a wildlife observatory overlooking the Lindre pond. It's a very fragile area filled with bird life that deserves protection.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Over sixty musicians have come together as part of UNICEF's Paris-Africa project, which provides support to victims of the recent drought in East Africa. Their efforts have culminated in this beautiful single, Des Ricochets (Skipping Stones).
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Les Nubians record with the late great father of Bossa Nova, Henri Salvador. “Que le mot soit perle” is a sweet song dedicated to all children orphaned by AIDS.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
In this video, you will learn the history of the French flag. Once it was completely white, the color of the French royalty, and now it's blue, white, and red. The French flag has recently been tainted with controversy by nationalist groups who have appropriated it as a symbol of their own causes.
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