were watching, were looking at
People were watching.
Ils se sont assis sur le banc, et regardaient la lune.
They sat on the bench and looked at the moon.
Ils se regardaient l'un l'autre.
They were looking at each other.
Ils me regardaient bizarrement.
They looked at me strangely.
Ils ne disaient rien mais se regardaient fixement.
They said nothing but stared intently at each other.
Ils regardaient une belle fleur.
They were looking at a beautiful flower.
Les gens regardaient ça autrefois comme ils regardent la télévision maintenant.
People used to watch that the way they watch television now.
— La Nuit américaine (1973)
Les enfants regardaient la télévision pendant que Tom préparait le dîner.
The children watched television while Tom prepared dinner.
Ils se regardaient dans le miroir.
They looked at themselves in the mirror.