Factual entertainment
The Secrets of the Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées is neither the largest nor the longest avenue in the capital, yet it is said to be the most beautiful in the world. Every day, 300,000 people pass by without realizing that, behind the scenes, men and women work tirelessly to maintain its prestige. How do they do it? What are thei...
Traveller Communities Fortunes: Inside a Hidden World
Traveller communities fascinate — and sometimes worry — the public, especially when it comes to a subject they dislike discussing: money. Many work as street vendors, chimney sweeps, or fairground ride operators. They live from odd jobs or welfare benefits, yet some are believed to handle fortunes. ...
High Tides: When the Sun Meets the Moon
Every month, the Moon and the Sun align with the Earth during the full moon and new moon phases—this is called a syzygy. The combined gravitational pull of these two celestial bodies then causes the phenomenon of spring tides or "vives-eaux" tides on Earth. This is Newton’s law of universal gravitat...
Let’s Go to My Aunt’s (The Crédit municipal)
Pawning a valuable item in exchange for immediate cash? For that, people turn to the Crédit Municipal, formerly known as the Mont de Piété. Whether facing financial hardship or an unexpected life event, pawnbroking continues to help around 100,000 clients every year! Since the first branch opened in...
Neighborly Support
In the wake of the lockdown, many local initiatives sprang up to keep communities connected, distribute food, offer lessons, or care for the most vulnerable. But what about today? While many of these efforts have unfortunately faded, nearly 12 million volunteers in France still dedicate themselves e...
Proud of Our Regions
A sense of belonging, attachment to one’s territory: 8 out of 10 French people say they are proud of their region, whether by birth or by choice. Cultural heritage, gastronomy, landscapes, local spirit — all these elements create a shared history and collective identity. For some, this sense of belo...
A Very Different Kind of Convoy
Every day, hundreds of professionals transport extraordinary loads, sometimes without us even noticing them. Tight deadlines, extra-large convoys, vertiginous roads… the daily life of these ace drivers is littered with obstacles and dangers. Regardless of the destination, these extreme truckers have...
France is Ours!
Every year, thousands of people move to France from abroad. Last year, more than 236,000 people settled there... whether for professional reasons or to make their dream come true! Over the course of a year, we follow the progress of families, couples and foreign students who have chosen to leave eve...
The Summer Street Traders
With their patter and their gift of the gab, they sell products with revolutionary promises... The stars of the holiday season, they’re known as street vendors, hucksters, pedlars or hawkers. There are more than 30,000 of them in France. In the winter, they work the fairs; in the summer, the markets...
