In part 8 of Le Québec parle aux Français, Olivier discusses the cost of maintaining a high standard of living. Is France living beyond its means? Heavy taxation and full employment would go some way toward balancing the national budget and covering the cost of welfare programs.

Alessandro goes to the flea market to interview the owners of a charming vintage boutique specializing in clothes and accessories from the 1880s to the 1980s. The owners even dress the part in their gorgeous costumes.

How would you like to learn to make your very own ochre paint? Jean-Michel and Stéphane will share their recipe, which is not unlike crêpe batter. While the paint may not be fit for human consumption, it's non-toxic and extremely durable.

Some Alsace residents take Christmas decorating very seriously. From two men who go all out with phantasmagoric light displays to a woman who opts for a subtler, 1940s décor, you'll find some different takes on what it means to be in the "Christmas spirit" in this video.

Discover a unique instrument called the ondes Martenot, a precursor to the synthesizer named after its inventor, Maurice Martenot. This electronic piano-like instrument, once a musical sensation in the 1930's, quickly fell into disuse, but is experiencing a revival thanks to Christine Ott, a talented pianist who adopted this unusual instrument and has worked alongside such musical greats as Radiohead and Yann Tiersen.

The Marseille-based rap group IAM is back after a six-year hiatus with their new album, Arts Martiens (Martian Arts), which is already topping the charts in France. Check out a preview of their song "Notre Dame veille" (Our Lady Watches) in this video.

A menu for 8 euros... in a Zen decor! Not only has Joan Schmitt turned an old Alsatian bistro into a chic restaurant with a modern, minimalist style, but he also cooks for his clientele with local and worldwide produce, which he describes here with great gusto.

Parisian duo Julien Boulfray and Brieuc Carnaille sing a colorful song, "Hey, tu ne me manqueras plus" ("Hey, I won't miss you anymore") from their album "Vertiges." Enjoy their quirky retro pop/rock/electro style of music.

Lauren continues her tour of Lyon's Croix-Rousse neighborhood, a favorite haunt of artists and students who go there to live, work, and shop. The neighborhood also maintains its heritage as a center for craftsmen.

Lauren shows us around the Croix-Rousse neighborhood in Lyon, famous for its traboules, a series of passageways located below the buildings. The neighborhood is a favorite spot for artists and families alike.

France's Aube department has the highest concentration of wind energy in the country, which makes it the perfect place to experiment with new wind technologies and create a model for all of Europe.

Skiing in the French Alps is a great winter activity, but if you decide to take a trip, it's good to know what to do in case of an avalanche. You can never be too prepared!

Nicolas introduces some specialties of the Alsace region at the Alexandre Dumas Catering, Hospitality, and Tourism College. In this episode, pastry chefs bake some delicious cookies called "mannele" and "bredele." It's never too early to start planning your next New Year's fête!

The teenage violist Valentin Tournet plays an excerpt from Marin Marais' "Folies d'Espagne" (Follies of Spain) in this interview. He talks about the folia, an early music theme from Spain, as well as the passion for music he developed at a very young age.

If you're a turtle lover, you may be interested in the Fête de la tortue (Turtle Festival), which takes place in a different French town every year. This year's festival was in July, so you and your turtles will have to wait for next year's!