In Paris, the river boats known as Bateaux-Mouches attract 2.5 million passengers each year. They have become the fourth-largest tourist attraction in the capital. A cruise on the Seine offers surprises every day, even for skippers and mechanics. Passengers enjoy an unforgettable view of the French capital's iconic buildings, from the Louvre Museum to Notre-Dame Cathedral, still standing proud after last year's fire. The ultimate highlight is to see the Eiffel Tower light up at night.

High up in the Alps, a handful of craftsmen are eager to protect their rare and bygone know-how. In the Ubaye Valley, near Barcelonnette, Benoît Paris is one of the last manufacturers of customised wooden skis. Meanwhile, Joël Giavelli, the last blacksmith in the valley, creates knives with handles made from deer antlers. These artisans are the pride of their mountainous region. FRANCE 24 takes you to meet them.

During the Christmas season, Paris puts on a show. The whole city is immersed in a warm and magical atmosphere. The Christmas market at the Tuileries Gardens delights locals and tourists alike. Meanwhile, the Printemps department store shows off the handmade puppets in its shopfront windows. The festive season is also about food: French bakers and pastry chefs work frantically to please our taste buds, while butchers are equally rushed off their feet. FRANCE 24 takes you to discover the magic of Christmas in Paris.

We head to the western French region of Brittany to discover its bistros. In a retro-style establishment, young and old alike enjoy playing games like shuffleboard or "little skittles". Meanwhile, whether it rains, snows or shines, it’s always party time at the Tara Inn bistro in Brest. Every Monday, the stage is open to all musicians, regardless of their background. The bistro also continues the tradition of "fest-noz", a festival created more than a century ago as a welcome break from the tiring work in the fields.

The Verdon Natural Regional Park is located in the southeast of France. Nestled in the hollow of a rock, the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is an architectural treasure trove. The inhabitants are famous for making earthenware, a know-how they transmit from generation to generation. Meanwhile, about twenty kilometres away is the mythical Blanc-Martel trail. FRANCE 24 takes you to discover this stunning region.

The sound of bleating and the cries of shepherds have long echoed across Corsica's Alzo plateau. Early autumn is the perfect time for sheep farmers to bring their flocks down into the valley. Before the big event, shepherd Joseph Sabiani and his friends enjoy their last meal of the season while singing traditional songs. Elsewhere, in the small hilltop villages, locals are pleased to find a little respite after the departure of the last tourists.

In France's eastern Savoie region, we meet 33-year-old Aurélie. She's a computer technician, but also a future hot air balloon pilot. Since the beginning of the year, she has been taking flying lessons. France counts 1,000 hot air balloon pilots, but only 10 percent of them are women. Aurélie is determined to obtain her pilot's licence!

Paris is the eternal capital of fashion. The city is synonymous with some of the world's best-loved fashion designers: Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton, to name but a few. We take you to see the workshops of designers Stéphane Rolland and Jean-Paul Gaultier. But there are also less high-profile artists who keep the Parisian fashion flame burning. Barbara Cohen won France's best craftsperson prize in 2015 for her skills in corsetry. We take you inside her Paris lingerie boutique.

In autumn, the forests of France's central Limousin region are dotted with a special light that brings out the beauty of the trees and leaves. We go for a walk amid the many oaks and chestnuts, two trees that mean a lot to the locals. Meanwhile, in her typical little restaurant, Catherine cooks traditional dishes with local products. FRANCE 24 takes you to discover the region.

A few steps will take you to another era: dance steps, of course! In France's western Poitou region, dancers dressed in 18th-century costumes twirl in time to the music. Meanwhile, in the southern town of Gémenos, a dance troupe called La Poulido de Gèmo keeps the local Provence culture alive through traditional dances. Perhaps surprisingly, the majority of its dancers are young people. FRANCE 24 takes you to check out some of the moves.