Difficulty:
Advanced
Canada, France
Oliver concludes this eleven-part series with a visit to Fort Chambry, where French and British armies fought over new Canadian territories. How did this affect the present? Olivier leaves us to draw our own conclusions and assures us that he is fond of the Québécois as much as they are fond of him. He shares his final impressions of Quebec in a lovely song at the end.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
Hardcore techno musician Manu le Malin [Wild Manu] is one of the oldest regulars at the Astropolis Festival in Brittany, which just celebrated its twenty-year anniversary. Its attendance has swelled from two thousand to ten thousand participants, but the rave-like spirit of the festival remains the same, and it keeps drawing big crowds every year.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
The Drôles de Zèbres (Funny Zebras) humor festival in Strasbourg has been hosting top French artists, comedians, and a few newcomers for the past twelve years. Among the acts at this year's festival is Laurent Chandemerle, the man with a thousand voices, who can impersonate celebrities to perfection. This video will give you a taste of French humor and, no doubt, a few chuckles!
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
"Un Petit Noir" (or "A Small Black," a slang term for a small black coffee) is the bookstore café in Lyon specializing not only in gourmet coffees, but also in detective novels and thrillers. Besides crime fiction and caffeine, the store also serves some great jazz concerts to add to the "noir" ambiance.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
Lionel shows us around a family farm that spans three generations. This traditional dairy and cattle farm takes good care of its animals, which enjoy a special "cow wash." Nursing cows are allowed a break from milk production prior to calving, and nothing is left to chance as the sex of the newborn calf is predetermined thanks to artificial insemination.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
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.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
If you're a crafty person, consider attending the "Salon des métiers et activités de la création" (Jobs and Creative Activities Trade Show), which features a large number of hands-on workshops related to fine arts, framing, needlework, and more. In this video, Alessandro interviews a workshop instructor who explains an interesting sewing technique called the counted cross-stitch.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
You'll learn some very useful information about running in this video—from what to wear to how to plan a run according to your own physical abilities. It's all about maintaining a "cardiopulmonary balance" and gradually working up to faster speeds and longer distances without over-exerting yourself. Take a break from your French studies and go for a nice jog!
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France, West Africa
The Python-Duvernois neighborhood, on the outskirts of Paris, is having its annual neighborhood fair (you can also find coverage of last year's fair here on Yabla). The locals look forward to getting together, meeting new neighbors, having fun, and eating yummy food prepared by some of the residents.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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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