Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Véronique Schneider is a milliner, or hatmaker, who worked for the Comédie-Française in Paris and then moved to the Cour des Arts in Vauréal to make custom hats that anyone can wear.
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.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Thierry Millet is an umbrella repairer in Paris, and one of last remaining ones in France. He shares his wealth of knowledge and some interesting umbrella facts. Did you know that the first umbrella dates from 6500 B.C.?
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
Victoria manages Millymenthe, one of the last remaining herbalist's shops in France. If you're ever in the Essonne area, stop by the shop and enjoy the specialty of the region, a delicious peppermint tea.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
Laurent Leclercq is a specialist in the restoration of antique furniture. He's so passionate about his craft that he finds excuses to go into the studio when he's on vacation!
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
In Paris, Lionel talks to Lahlou about the ordeal of getting to and from work during the recent pension reform strikes. With ten out of fourteen subway lines closed, Lahlou's commute can take upwards of three hours.
Difficulty:
Advanced
France
Giulia has been a jewelry maker since 2012, when she launched her Desidero brand. You can see and buy her creations in her boutique and studio located in Paris.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
You can get away from it all just an hour away from Paris by visiting Sandra's alternative accommodation in Arbonne-la-Forêt. You can choose between a tree house or a cottage in the heart of the forest and enjoy the wildlife. There's no public lighting, so the animals won't be disturbed.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Gilles Martineau is a craftsman who makes beautiful objects out of concrete. Using 3D software, he first designs a mold that he prints himself with a 3D printer. Then he pours concrete into the mold to create his art.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Karen is passionate about essential oils In this video she talks about some of her favorite ones and their therapeutic properties.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Bruno Légeron tells us about his family business of making artificial flowers and feathers for fashion houses and the movie industry. The Maison Légeron dates all the way back to 1727.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
Bicloune is a unique bicycle shop in Paris with a wide variety of models, from antique bikes from 1905 to contemporary foldable ones. Audrey Hepburn supposedly used to ride a bicycle like one found in this store.
Difficulty:
Advanced
France
Norbert explains the intricacies of a recording studio and the latest technology and trends in the music industry. He also tells us who the first artist to use auto-tune was.
Difficulty:
Advanced
France
Lionel interviews Norbert, the proud owner of the state-of-the-art recording studio Crazy Sound. What started as a sideline business has now become a full-time occupation and passion. The studio welcomes both semi-professional and well-known artists.
Difficulty:
Beginner
France
Lionel tries out his friend's recording studio by singing Joe Dassin's "Dans les yeux d'Émilie" (In Émilie's Eyes), a love song set in the harsh winter of Quebec.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
Lionel introduces us to Norbert, a former mailman who always had an interest in music and, after retiring, finally got to pursue his passion by setting up his own recording studio.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
What's the difference between tapenade and olive paste? What needs to be done to olives to make them consumable? Find out in this video!
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
Patrice Zana's Dada-inspired artwork relies heavily on wordplay. In this video he discusses his pieces Caisse à dire ("Talking Box," a pun on qu'est-ce à dire [what does it mean]), Boîte à choses sûres ("Box of Sure Things," a pun on boîte à chaussures [shoe box]), and more.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Serge Amoruso is an artisan extraordinaire who makes exquisite leather goods, from high-end bags to more artistic objects. Each piece is unique and takes anywhere from six months to two years to make.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Samuel Gassmann is an artisan who makes unconventional cufflinks of all different types: he has one set representing the "totality of time," and another inspired by the Happy Families card game. Be sure to stop by his new store the next time you're in Paris!
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Sophie-SongJa Lévy takes us into her music workshop, SongJa Flûtes. She is a transverse flute (concert flute) specialist who will show you the different parts of the instrument and teach you a few technical terms.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
Patrice Zana is a poet-artist inspired by the Dada movement and the concept of détournement (literally, "diversion," "hijacking"). He invented the term bris colisme to describe his practice, which employs fragmentation, collage, and wordplay in a variety of media.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
Learn all about olives with this olive merchant from Nice. This lovely store, "La Maison de l'Olive," has all kinds of olive delicacies from the region and across the Mediterranean basin. Did you know that the olive groves (oliveraies) in the Nice region were planted by the Greeks?
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
In this video, people on the street are asked about the best compliments they ever received... and the worst.
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