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.

The Underwater Museum of Lorient might be a little hard to get to, given that it's literally underwater. Dedicated to shipwrecks and other sunken objects, the museum is made possible by a team of volunteers with a passion for documenting these lost treasures at the bottom of the ocean.

In an effort to promote ecotourism, the town of Echelles has constructed one of the largest natural bathing areas in France. Its filtration system is 100% natural, powered by thousands of plant seedlings.

In "Éducation Nationale," the slam poet Grand Corps Malade gives us his opinion on the shortcomings of the French national education system through the eyes of Moussa, a fifth grader in Épinay. It's a touching song and a call for change in the name of equal opportunity.

Meet Sheldon, the friendly robot with friendly eyes that flash little hearts when it interacts with people. Sheldon is a huge attraction at tech fairs, where it is used to entertain and delight the crowds. It certainly lives up to the task.

This last part of the Il était une fois episode on George Stephenson deals with the Rainhill Trials, a competition that determined what kind of trains (steam engines or locomotives) would be used on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Stephenson proves to be the best competitor.

This next part of the Il était une fois series on George Stephenson deals with the Rainhill Trials, a competition that determined what kind of trains (steam engines or locomotives) would be used on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

The future of the railroad depends on whether George Stephenson's locomotive, 38 cars long, will run or not. The local townspeople debate whether it will go full speed ahead or not budge at all due to its size.

In a convivial atmosphere, complete with brass bands and good humor, Parisians gather in the streets to have fun and raise awareness about the proliferation of electronic adverstising in the subways. A new citizen movement is spreading throughout France: anyone can join the ranks of "Les Reposeurs" [Redecorators], a group of protesters armed with kraft paper, markers, and whiteboard paint to write anti-advertising messages on posters and billboards.

George Stephenson tries out his invention, a steam locomotive. He allows his son, Robert, to ride on it as long as he stays on the edge of the carriage and gets ready to jump off if the rails buckle under the weight of the locomotive... which they do. Luckily his son followed his instructions!

Years of research and trial and error culminated in the invention of the first locomotive on rails. Not bad for a father-and-son experiment. That's what Murdoch and his son George achieved in 1797.

In part two of this series, "Once upon a Time... the Discoverers," Maestro talks about Cugnot, the inventor of the steam traction engine.

In the series "Once Upon a Time... the Discoverers," the Maestro lets off some steam. Some two thousand years ago, Heron invented the steam machine in Alexandria, but it took two millenia to perfect the invention and put it to practical use.

Galileo is in prison. He tries one more time to prove his theories to his inquisitor. But he finally recants during the trial saying the famous sentence: "and yet... it turns"

Galileo faces an uncertain future. Behind the scenes are political and religious intrigues and enemies plotting his downfall. The Pope, until now sympathetic to Galileo, has a change of heart. Under pressure from all sides and insulted by his latest works, The Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, portraying the Church's view through the character Simplicio (Simpleton), the pope finally sends Galileo to the Inquisition Tribunal.