Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
The Micro-Trottoirs team tackles a big question in this episode: "Do you believe in life after death?" People share their beliefs on the matter. One person remarked, "As the famous French humorist Pierre Desproges would say, 'if God existed, we'd have to file a lawsuit against him!'"
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
Quebec's current relationship with France is complex. French politicians tend to tread carefully regarding Quebec's sovereignty. For many years France adopted a policy of "neither indifference nor interference," a more neutral stance somewhere between a hands-off policy (which could be seen as complete abandonment) and an overly intrusive relationship. Sarkozy moved away from that policy, but his successor Hollande revived it.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Daniel Benchimol concludes his tour of Paris's tenth arrondissement by taking us through the "Nouvelle Athènes" (New Athens) neighborhood, home of some of the great figures of nineteenth-century romanticism. The tenth is also home to the smallest house in Paris, at less than five meters (sixteen feet) high!
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
In "Je suis Charlie" (I Am Charlie), Fabien Marsaud a.k.a. Grand Corps Malade commemorates the victims of the devastating attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. As the slam poet notes, "I prefer to pick up a pen because tonight I am Charlie."
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel introduces us to the tiny village of Frémestroff, which has three hundred seven inhabitants and is located twenty-five kilometers from the German border. It boasts one farm, one bakery, a woodworker, and a shepherd. Some of the older residents have a distinctive accent and still speak a dialect from the Lorraine that resembles German.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Over thirty French bakeries from the Vendée region show off their skills in a galette des rois (Kings' cake) contest. The lucky judges, whose onerous task is to taste those delicious galettes, go to great lengths to explain their choices and make our mouths water. The galette des rois is traditionally served at Epiphany and is notoriously difficult to make. It comes in two varieties, flaky or brioche, and is available at French bakeries throughout the month of January.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Belgium
Singer-songwriter Stromae walks us through his personal creative process and the many choices he has to make to create his beautiful songs, such as the one you will hear in the background called "Papaoutai" (Dad, Where Are You?). Knowing what goes into the complex process of making music only deepens our appreciation of his work.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Daniel Benchimol takes us to the tenth arrondissement to discover the Trinity Church, the "Peinture Céramique" building, and other little havens of peace in Paris. Daniel also introduces us to the Brabant Hotel and the 1950s-themed restaurant Playtime, inspired by Jacques Tati.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
"Maître Restaurateur" (Master Restaurant Owner) is a title bestowed upon a select number of restaurants in France. What does it mean and how does a restaurant achieve this honor? Find out in this episode of "Grain de Sel" (Grain of Salt).
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Joanna is proud to show us her neighborhood. Follow her around her new apartment, her favorite bar, the pretty little garden where children love to play, and learn some useful everyday vocabulary.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
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!
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Marion walks us through the Buttes Chaumont, a former limestone quarry transformed into a magnificent park, complete with an artificial lake, a grotto, dramatic cliffs, and even a Roman-style temple. On a more tragic note, the park is also home to a bridge that the poet Louis Aragon once called a "mecca for suicides." Luckily, the bridge is now protected by a wire fence.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Losing weight is one of the most common New Year's resolutions, probably due in part to the richness of holiday feasts. As you'll see in this video, a lot of French people switch to a diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, and soups as they get ready for the new year or recover from holiday indulgences. Clementines are an especially popular and low calorie wintertime snack.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
In this Micro-Trottoir episode, people are asked whether they are for or against snow. Most of the interviewees welcome snow and find it very pretty; it also makes them look forward to Christmas. But some people pointed out that snow has its drawbacks: it complicates things on the road for those who have to drive to work.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
Quebec may never answer the vexing question: Should Quebec remain part of Canada or not? While opinions are divided, Quebecois don't necessarily show the same passion as the French when debating hot issues.
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