Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
French Canada is a cultural mosaic that is still exploring its identity. Some French Canadians feel more American than French, while others feel more of an allegiance to their French roots. Somehow, a Quebecois nation is emerging out of all this, but not without some growing pains.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Marion takes us to Parc de la Villette, one of the largest parks in Paris. If you want something more than just a nature walk, you won't be disappointed here! Quirky modern structures and unique perspectives will catch your attention, and the Geode and the Museum of Science and Technology will help satisfy your intellectual curiosity.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
In this episode, Daniel Benchimol introduces La Buttes aux Cailles, a neighborhood in the thirteenth arrondissement in Paris. He will tell you all about the origins of the street, its free spring water fountain, and its artsy walls decorated with stencils.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
One might think that the push to remove anglicisms from the French language would be stronger in France, but the larger movement to "purify" French is actually happening in Quebec. Many Québécois worry that the French language is endangered in Canada, and the Quebec government has taken measures to preserve it by inventing new words instead of borrowing from English. That's why an email is still un email in France, but un courriel in Quebec.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Regular bus riders from the Essonne, a suburb south of Paris, share their views on public transport. It appears that some people behave badly on buses and in the subway, which can give tourists a bad impression. So the next time you catch a bus, don't forget to give up your seat for the elderly!
Difficulty: Beginner
France
The Place des Vosges, located in Paris's Marais neighborhood, is a gorgeous square with a rich history. Formerly the royal square of Henry the Fourth, the area was also the home of two of France's most renowned literary figures, the Marquise de Sévigné and Pierre Beaumarchais.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada
The situation of the French language in Quebec is controversial and complex. Montreal was an English-speaking city until 1920, and it wasn't until the passage of Law 101 in 1977 that French became the official language of Quebec. According to some of the interviewees in this video, Québécois French is in a precarious position once again, with municipal signage and corporate names in Montreal reverting to English, as well as shopkeepers who refuse to speak French.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Marion, our guide, takes us to Place de la Bastille (Bastille Square), where the old Bastille fortress was stormed during the French Revolution. The guillotine was installed on the square for a very short time, but was nevertheless the site of a whopping 75 executions. Nowadays, the square hosts some much less sinister events, such as the Bastille Day (French national holiday) celebrations and the annual Gay Pride Parade.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada
In the second episode of Le Québec parle aux Français, we learn more about the complex relationship between the French and the Quebecois throughout history. We also learn about the evolution of the French language in Quebec—according to a former Prime Minister of Quebec, the province even "spoke French before France"!
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Even the bus drivers will admit it: Parisian buses have a tendency to run late. But the drivers aren't to blame, since they're hindered by car traffic like everyone else. Luckily, the interviewer in this video has some "good humor patches" to soothe any frustrated straphangers!
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada
In the first episode of this documentary on Quebec, a young Frenchman shares his impressions on Canada. As the interviewees in the film demonstrate, the Quebecois have conflicting attitudes toward the French—some see them as "snobs," while others see them as just "polite."
Difficulty: Beginner
France
A former bobsled champion created an ice chapel in Leysin, Switzerland. As you might expect, this unusual place of worship is only available during the cold winter months. If you're interested in visiting, make sure to do it before it melts away!
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Daniel Benchimol walks us through a fun neighborhood in Paris: Le Marais. It's a great place to visit, with the Beaubourg Museum (also known as the Georges Pompidou Museum) and distinctive medieval streets.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel takes us to an Alsace flea market and unearths some shopping gems: old vintage postcards painted by a student of Picasso, a set of tires, a few saucepans, and a makeup kit that he buys for his four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, or so he claims...
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Daniel Benchimol walks us through the "Coulée Verte," a peaceful passageway that cuts through Paris's twelfth arrondissement and offers a nice break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Along the Coulée Verte, you'll find a lot of green spaces, some art galleries and craft workshops, and even a nifty sundial!
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