Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Daniel takes us inside the castle of Dourdan, with its belfry, arrow loops, and many fortifications. This castle has a somewhat unusual history: find out why its roof was knocked off and why it was pretty much impregnable.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Dourdan is a historic town with a magnificent church called the Église de Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois. Renamed the "Temple of Victorious Reason" during the Revolution, the church now contains a statue that bears a striking resemblance to Darth Vader (known as Dark Vador in France).
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
In the last episode on the town of Dourdan, Daniel shows us the Abbaye de L'Ouÿe (literally, "Hearing Abbey"). Legend has it that King Louis VII commissioned it in honor of his friends and loved ones who heard his cries when he was lost in the forest one day.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Join Daniel Benchimol on his tour of the quaint town of Fourqueux. There, you will find a magnificent house where Victor Hugo, the famous French poet and writer, once stayed. Adding to the historic atmosphere, old road markers and vintage hand-painted advertising signs are a great reminder of a colorful past.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Daniel Benchimol takes us to the town of Poissy, about twenty kilometers from Paris. The town name is derived from the word poisson (fish) due to its once important fishing industry.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Don't miss this rendezvous with Daniel Benchimol in the town of Poissy near Paris. Enjoy a visit to a twelfth-century Romanesque church called the Collégiale de Poissy. You can also visit its priory, which now houses a toy museum to the delight of the little ones.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Parks, streets, boulevards, a storied history, and an eclectic mix of people: Belleville has it all! This historic neighborhood in Paris’s 20th arrondissement has been home to many different immigrant groups over the years and in recent times has taken a turn for the “bobo.”
Difficulty: Beginner
France
According to our trusty tour guide, Daniel Benchimol, Paris's Alexander III Bridge is one of the most beautiful in the city. You might find it hard to disagree after watching this video!
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Daniel Benchimol walks us through one of Paris's most charming neighborhoods, the Campagne à Paris (Countryside in Paris). This small, quiet corner of the 20th arrondissement is made up of only 89 houses built in 1906 and gives the impression of a quaint village inside a major city.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Daniel Benchimol takes us to the Cour de l'Industrie (Industry Courtyard) in Paris. It used to be the site of a wallpaper factory that was destroyed in a fire and more or less abandoned. An artisan association decided to renovate the premises, which now house over forty artists and craftsmen. Be sure to visit the area on your next trip to Paris!
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Daniel Benchimol takes us to Paris's eleventh arrondissement, which has a strong artisan tradition. There, you'll meet Laurence Raverdeau, voted the "best craftsperson of France" in 2011, who explains the complex art of upholstering. She shows us some of her amazing creations, which include scented macaroon-shaped cushions.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Daniel Benchimol visits Aline Putot, a renowned sculptor whose studio is located in the Cour de l'Industrie (Industry Courtyard), a revived artisan district in the eleventh arrondissement of Paris. Her craft requires very old tools, some dating from the nineteenth century, as well as more modern ones. Enjoy her beautiful creations!
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
For his last video on Paris's "Cour de l'Industrie" (Industry Courtyard), Daniel visits a gilder. Bruno Toupry explains the intricacies of his trade and highlights the tradition of passing on a craftsman's knowledge, which for him is both a duty and a pleasure.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
In this video, you will discover the origins of the Christmas tree. This tradition dates back to Roman times, when people used to decorate their houses with conifer branches to celebrate the winter solstice.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
In tribute to Uderzo's passing, we revisit the history of the famous comic strip Asterix and Obelix. In an old interview, Uderzo and Goscinny explain how they came up with Asterix in 1959.
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