French workers and unionists usually take to the streets of Paris on May 1st (Labor Day). This year, they are using the opportunity to voice their opinions about Sarkozy and the recent pension reform. They also celebrate past union accomplishments, and commemorate "Juillet 1963," with some interesting lyrical adaptations...

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.

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.

Lauren shows us around the Croix-Rousse neighborhood in Lyon, famous for its traboules, a series of passageways located below the buildings. The neighborhood is a favorite spot for artists and families alike.

Lauren continues her tour of Lyon's Croix-Rousse neighborhood, a favorite haunt of artists and students who go there to live, work, and shop. The neighborhood also maintains its heritage as a center for craftsmen.

In this video, Lucette teaches us how to make some delicious, homemade apricot jam. She also skillfully recites an apricot-related tongue-twister!

Louis and Fabio meet in a park to discuss the nice weather, their summer vacation plans, and the benefits of taking a break from their phones. You'll learn a lot of new slang words in this video!

Tired of stuffy old grammar exercises in text books? Come along with Lionel and learn something about the use of gender in French. This one’s fun, we promise — and no boring rules to memorize!

Lionel shows us that sometimes there are better things to do than stay all day in an office building to pay rent for an apartment we can’t even spend time in. (And yes, the word “travail” really is related to the word “torture.”) Remember, the revolution starts with you!

According to Lionel, we hear far too much about Charlie Hebdo and not enough about Le Canard Enchaîné, which is about to celebrate its centenary in 2016. This quality satirical newspaper is in a similar vein to Charlie Hebdo. Both papers even shared the same cartoonist, Cabu, who sadly did not survive the January attack on Charlie Hebdo. Le Canard Enchaîné was no stranger to extremist threats either.

Lionel L introduces a new social phenomenon called "Nuit Debout" ("Up All Night" or "Rise Up Night"). It's a protest movement born from a general discontent regarding politics, labor laws, and other issues. At 6 p.m. every day, people take to the streets of Paris to discuss ideas and air their grievances. The movement is gathering momentum in other cities and countries as well.

In part two of "Nuit Debout" (Up All Night), Lionel explains how protesters gather every night at Place de la République in Paris to think of alternative politics for a better world. The "Nuit Debout" movement has its own coded language and even its own calendar!

Lionel concludes his series on Nuit Debout. The protest movement, expressing discontent with politics in general, is spreading. Lawyers have joined the fight, and the attitudes of the media and politicians toward the movement are slowly shifting.

Lionel discusses the French government's recent decision to invoke Article 49-3 of the Constitution in order to push through a controversial labor bill without a parliamentary vote. He also gives a brief description of the differences between the two houses of the French Parliament, the Senate and the National Assembly.

Every summer, the city of Paris organizes activities to entertain Parisians who don't go on holiday. On the banks of the Seine, you'll be able to play chess or checkers and feel like you're on vacation. There are also plenty of activities for children.