Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel stays in Verdun for part two of this series. You will see the remains of the famous Battle of Verdun, which took place in 1916 and lasted ten months. The French soldiers were called poilus or "hairy men" because of their unshaven faces. Verdun also has a magnificent cathedral with stained glass windows.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel takes us inside a shop that sells "dragées" (sugared almonds), which are the specialty of Verdun. These treats come in all colors and flavors, from chocolate to marzipan to hazelnut. If you want to try the famous "dragées," be sure to visit this shop in Verdun on your next trip to France!
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Still in Toul, Lionel takes a closer look at the Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Toul. Its construction started in the thirteen hundreds and was completed around 1495.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Astrid gives us a detailed description of the Toul Cathedral, its history, and its special features. Though its gargoyles may look scary, they serve a special purpose: draining rainwater off the roof. A light and sound show takes place every year, highlighting the gargoyles and the cathedral's amazing architecture.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel is in Toul, twenty-seven kilometers from Nancy in the northeast of France. This small medieval town has a pretty riverside port and a magnificent Gothic cathedral called Cathédrale Saint-Étienne. Don't miss Lionel's signature pun at the end of this video!
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel visits a winery in the Lorraine region, which was full of vineyards in Roman times. Only a fraction of those vineyards remain today. This particular winery produces a wine called "Gris de Toul" (Toul Gray) due to the grayish color of the grapes during the fermentation process.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel visits a vineyard in Bruley near Toul. In this video, the wine grower Isabelle explains the advantages of high vines versus low ones. The high vines are easier to maintain.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
If you wish to travel in France by train, you will find Lionel's video very useful. He will teach you the necessary vocabulary for buying a train ticket from a ticket machine. Happy travels!
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
We continue our series on train travel in the Moselle region, where we'll accompany Lionel on a short train ride from Faulquemont to Rémilly. Many commuters travel to and from work by train each day, some even to Germany, which is just a few miles across the border.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel concludes his discussion of train rides in France at the Rémilly station. Built in 1851, the station now has a special significance for film lovers.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel and his cousin Jean-Pierre visit a nature park in the Saulnois region with some interesting wildlife. Storks are a major attraction in the region. Unlike other storks, these storks don't migrate, but stay year-round.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel and Jean-Pierre try to find their bearings along the Lindre pond. Luckily they have a compass! Jean-Pierre will teach you how to use a compass and explain the difference between true north and magnetic north.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel and Jean-Pierre talk about fish farming in the pond of Lindre-Basse. This practice dates back to the Middle Ages with an order of soldier-monks called the Knights Templar.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel and his cousin Jean-Pierre continue their visit to the Lindre-Basse area with its amazing natural surroundings. The ponds teem with fish and birds for a while before being drained and then used for cultivation, which in turn will enrich the soil after they're refilled.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Still in the Lindre-Basse region, Jean-Pierre explains the fish breeding process to Lionel. They also enjoy the beautiful sight of storks building their nests during mating season.
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