In this video, you will learn to recognize the difference between first- and second-group verbs. First-group verbs end in -er in the infinitive and second-group verbs end in -ir. The verbs in each group have the same endings in each tense, which makes it a lot easier to learn how to conjugate them.

In this video, you will learn how to conjugate the verb finir (to finish) in the present tense. This verb is used as a reference for all second-group verbs, which end in -ir.

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.

Patricia explains how to conjugate second-group verbs in the present indicative. Regular verbs ending in -ir all follow the same conjugation rules.

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!

Lionel takes us to the friendly Butte aux Cailles neighborhood in Paris. Its village-like atmosphere is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the capital. The Butte aux Cailles was formerly part of the small town of Gentilly before being attached to the city of Paris.

Patricia teaches us how to conjugate second-group (-ir) verbs in the passé simple, or historical past. Unlike the more common passé composé, this tense is mainly used in literary works and in historical accounts.

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.

Patricia takes a glimpse into the future by showing you how to conjugate verbs of the second group (ending in -ir) in the future tense.

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.

Aldo takes us to a very special house on 23 Rue Beauregard in Paris. In that house lived a shady character, Catherine Deshayes, who was responsible for the murder of thousands of infants. She and 36 others were burned at the stake by Louis XIV.

Patricia recites Louis Aragon's heartbreaking poem "Il n'y a pas d'amour heureux" (There Is No Happy Love), which has been set to music by a number of famous singers. You can listen to Françoise Hardy's version here.

Meet Jean-Claude and Rachelle, who own a specialty store full of delicious goodies. They talk to Lionel about the madeleine, a specialty of the Lorraine region that was supposedly invented by a cook named (you guessed it!) Madeleine.

Lea shows us one of the largest film libraries in the world, the Cinémathèque Française, which contains over forty thousand films. After the Cinémathèque's original home in the Palais de Chaillot burned down, it relocated to a brand-new facility in Paris's twelfth arrondissement.

Lionel is still in Liverdun, a small village in the Lorraine, to find out some more about the madeleine. It's a specialty of the region that comes in various delicious flavors, such as mirabelle plum and bergamot orange.