Difficulty: Beginner
France
What was life like for the poilus, the French soldiers of World War I? In sum, much, much harder than our lives. Subjected to bullets, bombs, death, and all the atrocities of war, these soldiers fought bitterly to protect their homeland, and one another.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Parks, streets, boulevards, a storied history, and an eclectic mix of people: Belleville has it all! This historic neighborhood in Paris’s 20th arrondissement has been home to many different immigrant groups over the years and in recent times has taken a turn for the “bobo.”
Difficulty: Beginner
France, Morocco
Opening night in Casablanca for the movie Indigènes (English title "Days of Glory") provided a special opportunity for some of the subjects of the film to reflect upon their past, and for Moroccans and the French to talk about their future.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
A cemetery might not top your list of places to visit in a city. But actually, cemeteries are a treasure trove of information on a city’s history and architectural taste. The cemetery in Roubaix is particularly rich, with Gothic and art deco tombs side by side.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
According to our trusty tour guide, Daniel Benchimol, Paris's Alexander III Bridge is one of the most beautiful in the city. You might find it hard to disagree after watching this video!
Difficulty: Beginner
France
He may not know it yet, but Amerigo Vespucci's life is about to change. Though he works as a successful banker, Amerigo feels restless and aspires to greater things. Luckily, Lorenzo de' Medici has offered him the opportunity of a lifetime: a trip to Spain to help Christopher Columbus prepare for an expedition to the Indies.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
The explorers are exploring a new territory, full of lush vegetation, exotic wildlife, and, to the joy of a few explorers, gold! Perhaps they could use a lesson on the dangers of greed...
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Vespuccia or America? In the last episode of this fun cartoon, we find out how the name of the new continent now known as "America" came about.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
It's one thing to have to track down a woolly mammoth for food, but it's another thing to cook it! Luckily these prehistoric Americans just discovered how to make fire.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
The Maestro has made his final journey and will not join the next expedition. It's time to bid him farewell!
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Daniel Benchimol walks us through one of Paris's most charming neighborhoods, the Campagne à Paris (Countryside in Paris). This small, quiet corner of the 20th arrondissement is made up of only 89 houses built in 1906 and gives the impression of a quaint village inside a major city.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
The explorers discover Abyssinia and the customs of its inhabitants, who have been cut off from the rest of the world for centuries. Will their visit bring a clash of cultures or a peaceful understanding? Find out in this episode.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
The explorers arrive at Gondar, the former imperial capital of Ethiopia, and marvel at the wonders of the palace. But a deadly illness is threatening the lives of the children of the royal family...
Difficulty: Beginner
France
In this third episode on the medieval town of Senlis, Daniel Benchimol introduces us to the Venery Museum or hunting museum. The museum displays not only traditional uniforms of the Spahis but also the special architecture, painting, music, and art linked to the "venery" activities.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
This last part of the Il était une fois episode on George Stephenson deals with the Rainhill Trials, a competition that determined what kind of trains (steam engines or locomotives) would be used on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Stephenson proves to be the best competitor.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
This video is all about the people of France, from the ancient Franks and Gauls to the present-day population, which currently numbers over sixty-six million inhabitants.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
It's been said that Paris is the most romantic city in the world. In this video, you will discover the origin of the word "romantic" and learn about the romanticism movement, which originated not from France as one might expect, but from England and Germany and later took hold in France.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
This video takes an in-depth look at the curious French idiom mener une vie de bâton de chaise (to lead a chair-pole life). Though the life of a chair pole might not seem very interesting, the history behind the idiom certainly is!
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Patricia discusses the galette des rois (kings' cake), a classic holiday delicacy associated with the festival of Epiphany. A small figurine is placed inside the cake, and whoever finds it in his or her slice is crowned "king" or "queen" for the day.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Patricia explains in detail the tradition of the galette des rois (kings' cake), which predates Christianity. The tradition is linked to a Roman pagan celebration called Saturnalia, during which a lucky slave was crowned "king" for the day.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Patricia delves into the festival of la Chandeleur, or Candlemas, which takes place on the second of February. In France, la Chandeleur is traditionally celebrated by eating crêpes.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
It took two hundred years to standardize French spelling before it could be taught in schools using a method called la dictée (dictation), in which a student writes out the words he or she hears. As a matter of fact, this is the exact same principle behind Yabla's Scribe game!
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Patricia continues her series on the feast of Candlemas, which in France is centered around the crêpe. Due to its round shape and golden color, the crêpe was a symbol of the sun in pagan times.
Difficulty: Beginner
France
Patricia explains the importance of dictation exercises for learning French. Now an essential teaching tool in the classroom, dictation was originally a pastime for French nobility. The author Prosper Mérimée created a dictation exercise for Empress Eugénie that stumped even the brightest intellectuals. Think you can beat them? Try it yourself here.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment? You will not be able to recover it.