Quebec's current relationship with France is complex. French politicians tend to tread carefully regarding Quebec's sovereignty. For many years France adopted a policy of "neither indifference nor interference," a more neutral stance somewhere between a hands-off policy (which could be seen as complete abandonment) and an overly intrusive relationship. Sarkozy moved away from that policy, but his successor Hollande revived it.

The Micro-Trottoirs team tackles a big question in this episode: "Do you believe in life after death?" People share their beliefs on the matter. One person remarked, "As the famous French humorist Pierre Desproges would say, 'if God existed, we'd have to file a lawsuit against him!'"

The Python-Duvernois neighborhood, on the outskirts of Paris, is having its annual neighborhood fair (you can also find coverage of last year's fair here on Yabla). The locals look forward to getting together, meeting new neighbors, having fun, and eating yummy food prepared by some of the residents.

In his song "Zombie," Maître Gims wants to wake up from his Zombie state and take charge of his destiny by removing the chains that hold him back: warding off the darkness, confusion, and paranoia surrounding his life.

George Stephenson tries out his invention, a steam locomotive. He allows his son, Robert, to ride on it as long as he stays on the edge of the carriage and gets ready to jump off if the rails buckle under the weight of the locomotive... which they do. Luckily his son followed his instructions!

You'll learn some very useful information about running in this video—from what to wear to how to plan a run according to your own physical abilities. It's all about maintaining a "cardiopulmonary balance" and gradually working up to faster speeds and longer distances without over-exerting yourself. Take a break from your French studies and go for a nice jog!

In this video, Daniel Benchimol takes us to Paris's thirteenth arrondissement, where you can discover an area known as "La Petite Alsace" (Little Alsace) and enjoy the best butter croissants in the Paris region!

If you're a crafty person, consider attending the "Salon des métiers et activités de la création" (Jobs and Creative Activities Trade Show), which features a large number of hands-on workshops related to fine arts, framing, needlework, and more. In this video, Alessandro interviews a workshop instructor who explains an interesting sewing technique called the counted cross-stitch.

In a convivial atmosphere, complete with brass bands and good humor, Parisians gather in the streets to have fun and raise awareness about the proliferation of electronic adverstising in the subways. A new citizen movement is spreading throughout France: anyone can join the ranks of "Les Reposeurs" [Redecorators], a group of protesters armed with kraft paper, markers, and whiteboard paint to write anti-advertising messages on posters and billboards.

The thirty-four-year-old singer Zaz made her debut in 2010 (after singing on the streets of Paris for a while, like her famous predecessor, Edith Piaf). Her single "Eblouie par la nuit" (Blinded by the Night) was hugely successful and is sure to dazzle you too.

The future of the railroad depends on whether George Stephenson's locomotive, 38 cars long, will run or not. The local townspeople debate whether it will go full speed ahead or not budge at all due to its size.

Indila, a French singer whose first single "Dernière Danse" (Last Dance) topped the chart in 2013, talks about her debut as a singer. She felt more comfortable as a writer and composer of melodies and only recently started singing onstage.

In this episode, Daniel Benchimol takes us to Paris's second arrondissement to discover "Little Tokyo," a tiny neighborhood that has the highest number of Japanese restaurants in the city. Daniel also walks us through the Sainte-Anne covered passageway, one of Paris's many gorgeous glass-canopied walkways.

Lionel shows us around a family farm that spans three generations. This traditional dairy and cattle farm takes good care of its animals, which enjoy a special "cow wash." Nursing cows are allowed a break from milk production prior to calving, and nothing is left to chance as the sex of the newborn calf is predetermined thanks to artificial insemination.

This next part of the Il était une fois series 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.