We continue our tour of the Norman Vexin region with a stop in the hamlet of Boisgeloup, where Pablo Picasso once lived. If you get hungry while strolling around this charming little village, make sure to stop in the bakery Chez Valérie et Patrick Bunel, which won an award for best traditional baguette. You can eat one while admiring the beautiful Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church for a wonderful sensory experience.

A theatrical spectacle called "Je t'aime, un peu, beaucoup, aveuglément" revisited the Oedipus myth, incorporating works on the same theme from twentieth-century French playwrights. The event took place in the Château du Grand-Pressigny, and the public was encouraged to wander around the castle as part of the show.

Lionel takes us inside a shop that sells "dragées" (sugared almonds), which are the specialty of Verdun. These treats come in all colors and flavors, from chocolate to marzipan to hazelnut. If you want to try the famous "dragées," be sure to visit this shop in Verdun on your next trip to France!

At the Balzac Museum in the Château de Saché, exclusive period furniture was brought in to illustrate Honoré de Balzac's famous collection of novels, La Comédie Humaine (The Human Comedy). Balzac was famous for his lengthy, detailed descriptions of interiors in his novels.

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.

In this video you will learn about synonyms, words that share the same general meaning but convey different degrees of intensity, illustrated by various examples of feelings. Armed with this new vocabulary, you should never be at a loss for words, whether you're overjoyed or wild with anger!

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.

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.

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!

Lionel Brigeot takes us to the northeast of France to the town of Verdun, where the famous Battle of Verdun took place during World War I. Follow Lionel up the Victory Steps, commemorating the battle in which more than one hundred sixty-three thousand soldiers lost their lives.

Daniel Benchimol is in Maisons-Laffitte, also known as the "horse city." He tells us about the history of its famous racetrack, which boasts the longest straight line segment of any racetrack in Europe. And if horses aren't your thing, there's a campground where you can relax by the river Seine.

In part three of our visit to Maisons-Laffitte, Daniel Benchimol reveals even more interesting facts about this city. The Maisons Castle, which epitomizes seventeenth-century French architecture, has been used for the filming of many famous movies, such as Love and Death, Dangerous Liaisons, Queen Margot, and many more.

Daniel continues his visit to Maisons-Laffitte, home to many famous actors, authors, politicians, business tycoons, and others. According to Daniel, its villas are among the most beautiful in the Île-de-France region.

Daniel Benchimol takes us to Maisons-Laffitte, a town famous for its horse races and jockey training center, the largest in the Paris region. There are also opportunities to explore archaeological remains that have recently been discovered.

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.

Alessandro braves the men's beauty parlor. In addition to a clean shave, he is having his eyebrows, nose hair, and ear hair trimmed. Ouch! After a painful plucking session, he looks fantastic and somewhat relieved it's over...

With Christmas just around the corner, it's time to think of decorations and a festive table. You will learn how to fold a napkin in the shape of a flower, which is sure to dazzle friends and family. Do try this at home!

Whether you're a scholar, a budding writer, or just a casual beach reader, you'll find a lot to learn in Manon and Clémentine's lesson on book-related vocabulary. Using one of the most renowned works of French literature, In Search of Lost Time, as a guide, our two friends also recite their own poem on the future of the book. Happy reading!

Today Manon and Clémentine present a number of "set expressions," or idiomatic phrases. Hopefully you're not feeling "soft in the knee"—there are a lot of useful expressions to learn in this lesson!

Manon and Clémentine will show you how to make an appointment at the doctor's... and how to reschedule it when your friend invites you to go shopping instead!

Fred is a Frenchman living and working in Miami. In this video, he shows us the different kinds of sailboats he uses at his job, Miami Catamarans.

If you happen to be a Capricorn, you should hear what astrologist François Lambert says the stars have in store for you in 2011. Otherwise, no matter what your sign, we foresee a mastery of the French language in your future!

Attention all Scorpios: according to François Lambert, the year 2011 will present many challenges to your love life. But don’t worry––learning French will just keep getting easier and easier!