As Laurent Voulzy is walking down the beach, he chances upon a fan, and sings a little duet with her. At his concert that night, she’ll be in the front row. Can that “change the face of the world”?

Students taking the baccalaureate exam must complete an essay, choosing amongst several possible philosophical and political themes. France 2 talks with some students about the experience, and asks some prominent politicians what they might have written if presented with the same task.

Meet a group of students as they prepare to take their baccalaureate test, a rite of passage for young French people on the cusp of adulthood. It can be a stressful time, but the students are pacing themselves well.

Henri Cartier-Bresson is arguably France’s most notable contribution to the world of photography.

Public transport has not always been easy for those who use wheelchairs, but the SNCF (French National Railway Company) has been making changes that make for a much more pleasant trip.

Marianne is the symbol of the French Republic and has roots in the revolution of 1789. But are French mayors ready to represent the France of today with a Marianne of color?

A Lockheed P-38 Lightning, last piloted by noted writer Saint-Exupéry, who presumably went down with it on July 31, 1944, has been found and identified off the coast of Marseille. This gives credence to a local fisherman who, six years ago, claimed to have netted the author’s ID bracelet.

In France, one is registered to vote automatically upon reaching voting age.

Mario Canonge is one of the most exciting pianists tickling today’s plastic ivories, and Yabla was lucky enough to have caught him in person.

Mario has been influenced by Martinique, and he discusses what it means to represent and build upon French Caribbean rhythms on the world stage.

Nelly tells the fascinating life story of French fashion icon Coco Chanel, beginning with what led to her career as a designer.

Sophie likes to grow avocados from seeds in a jar of water. She shows off her avocado "farm" to Olivier and explains how she does it. He'll soon be the proud owner of an avocado plant!

Nelly concludes her excellent reading recommendations with some very useful tips. Why not watch the movie adaptation of your novel of choice, or if you're short on time, read a poem or two?

Lionel discusses the life of Rouget de Lisle, composer of the Marseillaise. Written in 1792 as a march to spur on the troops during the war with Austria, only later did it become the French national anthem. And did you know that the Marseillaise was banned by Napoleon?

Nelly recommends some more easy books in French by Amélie Nothomb, Guillaume Musso, and Albert Camus. She also discusses the passé simple or simple past tense, which is primarily used in written French.