Difficulty: Intermediate
France
In this episode, Pierre Esparre, a fine mosaic artist, explains how he discovered his talent and how he gets his inspiration from everyday life, whether it's a street scene, a YouTube video, or an Internet page. Watch this video to see how Pierre translates his ideas into quirky, humorous, and eye-catching creations.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Daniel Benchimol takes us to the Cour de l'Industrie (Industry Courtyard) in Paris. It used to be the site of a wallpaper factory that was destroyed in a fire and more or less abandoned. An artisan association decided to renovate the premises, which now house over forty artists and craftsmen. Be sure to visit the area on your next trip to Paris!
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Daniel Benchimol takes us to Paris's eleventh arrondissement, which has a strong artisan tradition. There, you'll meet Laurence Raverdeau, voted the "best craftsperson of France" in 2011, who explains the complex art of upholstering. She shows us some of her amazing creations, which include scented macaroon-shaped cushions.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Daniel Benchimol visits Aline Putot, a renowned sculptor whose studio is located in the Cour de l'Industrie (Industry Courtyard), a revived artisan district in the eleventh arrondissement of Paris. Her craft requires very old tools, some dating from the nineteenth century, as well as more modern ones. Enjoy her beautiful creations!
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
For his last video on Paris's "Cour de l'Industrie" (Industry Courtyard), Daniel visits a gilder. Bruno Toupry explains the intricacies of his trade and highlights the tradition of passing on a craftsman's knowledge, which for him is both a duty and a pleasure.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel gives us the latest updates on France's Nuit Debout protest movement. Though the movement is no longer centered around Paris's Place de la République, it's still gaining traction online.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
While the Rio Olympic Games were taking place, the Paris Mayor's Office installed a beach volleyball court complete with real sand in front of the city hall building. Parisians relished the opportunity to practice a sport that is not readily available in the heart of the city.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
A very unpopular labor law caused Parisians to protest near the Bastille before it was passed in 2015. President François Hollande invoked Article 49-3 of the Constitution to force this law through. The protests continued after the law was successfully enacted in 2016. For more information, you can visit the Nuit Debout and Convergence des Luttes websites.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Jean de La Fontaine's fables are all-time classics that have been in the French school curriculum for many years, at all levels. It's safe to say that every French person knows at least one of his fables.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
In this video you will hear a fable by Jean de La Fontaine, the most famous fable writer in French literature. "Le Chêne et le Roseau" (The Oak and the Reed) is a lesson in humility. The humble reed belies an inner strength that the oak does not possess. The oak's unbending nature proves to be its downfall.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Meet Jacques Guillaume, electric razor repairman extraordinaire. He's been fixing razors since 1962 in his tiny Paris workshop, and quite successfully at that. He's had many famous customers over the years, from interim president Alain Poher to actor Eddie Constantine.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Lionel is at a local market in Toul near Alsace, where he samples a beer from a local micro-brewery that sells its products at several markets in the area. The beer goes by the name of "Coin Coin" ("Quack Quack") for no other reason than catching people's attention. The young lady, who brews the beer herself, reassures Lionel that consuming her beer will not give him webbed feet...
Difficulty: Intermediate
Senegal
Cristina talks about Senegal, where she comes from. This French-speaking country has close ties with France and is well worth a visit. It has a mild climate and a beautiful coast. And you might like to try the local cuisine, such as chicken yassa.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel interviews his cousin Jean-Pierre, who is a dog trainer. Jean-Pierre explains that dogs are like children: the sooner they are trained, the better. As a dog gets older, it becomes increasingly difficult to fix bad behaviors. However, it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks...
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
In this video, Jean-Pierre teaches us some dog commands in various languages, using his border collie Chic as a model. He also tells us why some breeds are easier to train than others.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Chic is a very special dog who is the epitome of excellent training and good behavior. Jean-Pierre explains some important factors regarding training, like the sex of the animal. Apparently, male dogs respond better to female trainers and vice versa.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Jean-Pierre's canine club is a very structured environment, where both the dog owners and the dogs receive a membership card. And the dogs even receive a report card as well, just like children in school!
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
Lionel says goodbye to his cousin Jean-Pierre and his "nephew" Chic. Jean-Pierre shares a few more thoughts on dog training, which he believes should be a joy for both dogs and their owners.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
In this video, you will learn about the famous poet, novelist, and journalist Louis Aragon, who lived in the twentieth century. Many of his poems were set to music by famous French singers such as Georges Brassens, Léo Férré, and Jean Ferrat.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Lionel takes us to a highly regarded soccer club where the shadow of certain famous soccer players like Rouyer and Platini still hangs. The Nancy-Lorraine Soccer Club grooms high school boys into professional soccer players, endeavoring to strike a balance between academic and sporting achievements.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Lionel takes us inside the AS Nancy-Lorraine soccer club in Velaine-en-Haye, where young men can study full-time and train to become professional soccer players.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Elisa speaks with her mom about the good old days when technology was not so invasive. Her mom reminisces about the times when you had to write a letter instead of sending an email or text. Still, she admits that modern life has its advantages, now that you can video chat with faraway relatives.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
When the weather is nice, Parisians meet up on the riverbanks every weekend to dance, talk, and spend time with friends. For those who love dancing, there are free salsa, hip-hop, and Afro-Cuban dance lessons. It's a party!
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Amal just learned that she can't have children and is afraid to tell her boyfriend because she thinks he might leave her. Her friend Caroline gives her advice and support.
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