Episode list

The soul of Andalusia can be found in the heart of its villages, recognizable by the white of the facades. The region is renowned for its culture, architecture and traditions inherited from a history of cohabitation between Muslims, Catholics and Jews. Sophie Jovillard begins her journey by the coast and gradually plunges into the mountainous lands of the Sierra de Grazalema.

The Roya Valley: On the French-Italian border, the Roya Valley alternates between Alpine landscapes and Mediterranean scenery. A natural mountain wilderness, exceptional flora and fauna, unspoilt hill-top villages, rock carvings, a little corner of paradise ravaged by Storm Alex in October 2020. We meet some of the locals, determined to save their valley.

Beginning of the journey in Alassio (Liguria): Jérôme arrives at the Villa della Pergola and meets there Giorgia Trupiano, the landscaper in charge of the gardens of this villa and Stefano Maurizio the gardener who takes care for the agapanthus flowers (a collection of 500 varieties of this flower): Giorgia tells that before Alassio was a village of fishermen and farmers, but the Britih tourists began to come and they brought many exotic plants.After that Jérôme and Giorgia are visiting Genoa: they see the house where Christopher Columbus was born, they see the Porta Soprana (or Porta Sant' Andrea) and the ramparts: they walk through the old town and arrive at the Forno: they taste there a focaccia (flat leavened oven-baked bread) that Genovese people are eating during all the day.Later they go to the Pharmacy Santa Anna (founded in 1650) where they meet Frate Ezio Battaglia, a herbalist who prepare for them a rose syrup and they taste the rose syrup.Later they go to the Porto di Genoa Pra where they meet Matteo Pezzana who shows them the greenhouse with basil: they go to the workshop, there are a mortar and a pestle and they prepare their own pesto (crushing garlic, pine nuts, basil leaves and Pecorino or Parmesan cheese with a touch of olive oil) and they taste the pesto on a piece of focaccia.After Jérôme visits the biosphere: a glass dome donated by the architect Renzo Piano to the town of Genoa: inside there is little tropical forest.Then Jérôme takes the train towards La Spezia and stops at Manarola (Cinque Terre-Unesco World Heritage site): there he meets Lorenzo Bramanti, a marine biologist and Massimo Andreoli (the commander in charge of the marine reserve: they dive to see the coral reef. After that Jérôme goes up Manarola and meets Lorenzo Galetti (Wild Farm Corniglia): they travel by an APE 50 to Corniglia: after living many years in Milan Lorenzo has come back to Corniglia to practice agriculture: they meet Niccolo and Gianpaolo, the associates of Lorenzo who this day prepare a "limoncello" (lemon liquor): after tasting the "limoncello" they go to the farm, visit the vegetables parcel, restore a stone wall and plant a lemon tree.Later Jérôme enjoys with Lorenzo, Niccolo and Gianpaolo a great meal with fresh tuna, salad , focaccia and they explain that they help old people restoring their parcels and that they try to be examples for other young people who return to their home villages. Besides we see zooms about Borgighera (the Garnier Villa, the British influence in the Italian Rivera), about the medieval villages in the mountains, about the village of Camogli and its tiny beach, about the hiking guide Francesca Magillo, about the violet asparagus of Albenga, about the green oysters, about the Vespa in Genoa,, about the hydroponic growing of basil under water, about Pierluigi Lugano the wine maker , about the pruning of olive trees in Apricale, about the vineyards in Cinque Terre, about the rebirth of Bussana Vecchia and about the "Orto collettivo di Genova".

Senegal, a journey through Casamance: Considered by many as the most beautiful region of Senegal, Casamance takes its name from a river in south-western Senegal, between Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Ismaël invites us to explore this exceptional area, with its fertile land and tropical vegetation.

The Larzac, a land for all to share: A Unesco World Heritage site since 2011, the Larzac covers some 1,000 km2 in the south of the department of the Aveyron. An unbeatable destination for activities in the heart of nature, the Larzac also possesses a rich cultural and architectural heritage that is totally unique, and a remarkable biodiversity.

The historic villages of Portugal: In the heart of the Beira Alta are hidden twelve villages, the "Aldeias históricas", the work of several generations of kings who populated and fortified the region. Century after century, it was built, destroyed and rebuilt a heritage which, today, tells the story of the oldest nation in Europe.

Special Alsace indulgence: Alsace, land of gastronomy par excellence, owes its reputation to its specialities, such as sauerkraut, flammekueche, kougelhopf, bredele, spaetzle, the unmissable baeckeoffe, and its wines. We discover this tasty side of Alsace, which also knows how to go off the beaten track, in the company of the chef Anto Cocagne.

Vélomaritime, from Étretat to Calais: The Vélomaritime cycle path is 1500 kilometres long and offers an incredible view of the north coast of France and its emblematic sites. A fun and ecological way of rediscovering three UNESCO-listed sites, five Grands Sites de France and about fifty lighthouses.

Beginning of the journey in the Aegean Sea between Heraklion and the island of Dia: Jérôme is on the boat of Stratos Artemakis and they speak about the Minoan civilization, a people of navigators and traders.Then Jérôme travels to the Gorges of Agiofaraggo where he meets Dimitrios Pratikakis ( a potter) who was climbing a cliff: they walk in the Gorges and visit the Byzantine chapel of Saint Anthony built in the 14th century: they see nice icons .Later they arrive at the southernmost point of Crete with a nice panorama and they go down to the beach. In Heraklion Jérôme et Dimitrios walk near the port (there are some fishermen) and look at the Venetian Fort.Then they walk through the old town (streets of traders) , then they see the Venetian loggia built in the 17th century which is now the town-hall of Heraklion and arrive at the workshop of Dimitrios; his wife Artemis Peiou is also potter, and both are inspired by the Minoan civilization.Dimitrios and Jérôme go to a cafe and eat "bougatsa" (a pastry made with semolina and custard). On the next day Jérôme travels to Kamihis Farm near Zaros; he is received by Velina Papadovasilakis who shows him the house with the rooms for the guests, the kitchen and the dining room (they have solar panels for the power supply): Then they meet Michalis Papadovasilakis in the plantations of carob-trees and olive-trees: they also breed goats.Then Velina prepares bread with flour, sourdough, blessed water and a touch of olive oil, the bread is baked in a bread-oven.Later they make a toast with raki and eat the bread and vegetables.On the next day Jérôme and Velina go to the village of Zaros, they meet Maria And Evangella, two weavers who use classic patterns for their tissues and give Jérôme a Cretan hair band.Then Velina and Jérôme join Michalis at the artificial lake of Zaros (water supply for the inhabitants and for the irrigation) and follow a mountain road: they arrive at the cave of Saint Efthimios and finally enjoy a picnic eating bread and goat cheese. After that Jérôme travels to Zakros where he meets Christina Chrisoula (Taxidi Olive Farm) in an olive tree plantation: she is observing the irrigation, then they plant an olive-tree: with her brother Chrisoula they grow 500 hectares of olive trees and produce olive oil.Later Chrisoula and Jérôme walk to the village of Zakros and enter into the cooperative bakery: the women are preparing traditional cakes made with raisins, nuts, cinnamon, sesame and cloves: Jérôme prepares also a cake and they taste the cakes.Later Chrisoula and Jérôme go to a Geopark: the place is called the Valley of the dead (because the Minoan people used to bury the people in the holes of the valley), Chrisoula is fond of geology and explain that the gorges are the result of the shock of the tectonic plates in Crete.On the next day Chrisoula and Jérôme go to Kato Zagros, the port and Vaggelis Perakis, the fisherman invite them for fishing.Finally Chrisoula, her brother, Vaggelis and other friends are together in a beach restaurant: Jérôme taste different olive oils. they eat grilled fish: the musician play bouzouki and they sing Cretan songs. Besides we see zooms about the nautical sports in Crete (kayaking, kite surfing), about the Minoan civilization (the place of the women in this society, the fashion design using ancient patterns and the archaeological excavations at La Canée), about the geologist Stellos Manolioudis, about the hiking in the Aradena Gorges, about the griffon vulture in Crete, about the Orthodox priest Giorgis (his family life, the 4 other villages), about the olive trees in Crete, about the Cretan diet and longevity, about the Cretan wines (Plyto and Dafni), about the rizitika, the shepherds song and about the luthier Manolis Stagakis and the musician Tzanis Tzanidakis.

Sweden, the strength of nature: Sweden: land of lakes, mountains and forests. The third largest country of the European Union, for many Sweden represents a harmony between man and nature. In successfully preserving its natural environment, it has also done the same for its cosmopolitan cities such as Gothenburg and Stockholm.

Spectacular Ireland: From Galway, a small fishing port that has come to symbolise Irish music, to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and the unmissable scenery of the Connemara peatlands, Ismaël heads off to explore the majestic scenery of Ireland's west coast.

Weekend in Rennes: An immersive visit to the capital of Brittany. Considered one of the best places to live in France it is a major city on a human scale. Today, Rennes attracts tourists not only for its history, heritage and culture, but also for its exemplary approach to innovation.

Beginning of the journey in Allauch: in the heights of Allauch Sophie meets Nicolas Dromard, the comedian and stage manager and they walk towards the village: they cross the "Poterne" , a remaining part of the castle of Allauch and walk through the village: they visit the "Usine électrique" on old building which will be transformed into a museum of Marccel Pagnol. Later they enjoy the sight over the Mount Garlaban, la "Tête ronde", la Tête rouge" and the "Grottes des Pestiférés".Then they arrive at the olive trees plantation where Marcel Pagnol and his brother use to play: there they meet Nicolas Pagnol, the grandson of Marcel Pagnol who invites Sophie to plant an olive tree: after that they go to the "Bastide Neuve" where Marcel Pagnol spent his holidays.At Aubagne Sophie listens to the sounds of tambourines and flutes: there Jean-Marc and Baptiste Negrel (Lei Dansaire de Garlaban) are dancing a traditional folk dance of Provence: Sophie dances with them a quadrille.Then Sophie and Baptiste have a walk through the hills: Baptiste imitates the song of some birds and shows Sophie juniper bays.They arrive at the estate of the Negrel family where Hélène Negrel shows Sophie the saffron produced in the estate. After that Sophie meets on a market Luc Falcot, the goat shepherd and they travel to his farm: Luc , his son Bastien and Sophie are walking with the goat herd through the forest -the goats eat the brushwood and so protect the forests against the fires-: Luc explains how he began to manage the estate of Rove and they taste the "brousse du Rove" a goat cheese. Later Sophie meets again Nicolas Dromard and they meet in a forest Emmanuel Fell (Theater company dans la cour des Grands): Sophie see how the actors are playing theater in the nature: among the spectators Sophie meets Floryse Grimaud , a writer and specialist of Marcel Pagnol.Then Sophie and Floryse are in Aubagne at the "Brasserie la Régence) where Magnol made a film: they visit Aubagne : a nice terrace with a sight over the Garlaban, the house where Marcel Pagnol was born and then the Grimaud house (where Marcel Pagnol used to meet Floryse's father).After that Sophie is in Marseille with Nicolas Pagnol: Fanny Havas (called also Coco) is the captain of a typical "Pointu" boat and they make a boat tour in the port. Besides we see zooms about the members of the hunting club of Allauch and their care for the wildlife protection, about the "Chateau de Buzine ", about the finding of water in this dry region ( the water diviner-in French sourcier- with its divining rod), about the "Domaine du Temps perdu", about the inventors Alain Maurin and Frankie Zapata, about the restaurant "Le Cigalon de la Treille", about Pierre-André Aubert (the chef who uses solar energy for cooking), about the candies factory and the "Moulin Bleu " in Allauch, about the "Vallon des Auffes , about the port of the Goudes-the chef Didier Tani and his restaurant- and about the "Anse du Pharo" (where the shipwright Denis repairs the traditional "pointu" boats of Marseille).

Jordan, a traveller's dream: Jérôme Pitorin hires a car to explore Jordan, a country of a thousand colours. His trip begins amidst the Roman ruins of Umm Qais and ends in the desert of Wadi Rum. From north to south of the kingdom, he encounters a generation that is determinedly claiming a strong identity.

Special Pyrenean adventure: Jacob Karhu, 26, has chosen to live in contact with nature and to reduce his impact on the environment to the maximum. He takes Ismaël on a unique experience: to cross the Pyrenees and live like modern-day Robinson Crusoes, in total autonomy in nature. Will Ismaël manage it?

Namibia: a country of 824.292 square kilometers and about 2,5 millions of inhabitants: also a country of great spaces: Pierre Lemaire, a glider pilot enjoys planing above the desert. Majiedt Boetie and Walter Krohne are conducing a freight train : a special team is observing the sand storms and takes off the sand from the railway tracks.There are also special places in the desert: "Solitaire", a gasoline station: its was a farm created by South Africans, then they began to offer rooms and gasoline for the travelers.Namibia has big national parks: in the north-west in the Damaraland, the park is managed by a conservancy association: Memory Ganuses, manager of the lodge explains how works the conservancy association (now there are 86 areas under this conservancy system).Namibia is also a place for new opportunities: Bernarhard Walther and his wife Marita Walther are managing Ebikes4Africa: a factory of electric bikes and also solar panels (for the batteries of the bikes).On the countryside Henzel Feris manages a farm of 420 hectares breeding goats and sheep ; Morten and Billy Dunn are growing strawberries (before the strawberries were imported from South Africa).Now some words about the journey of Sophie: flight over the Namib desert in a hot air balloon (piloted by Laurent Rommelaere).Then Sophie meets her guide Mose Gereseb: they go to the National Park of Namib-Naukluft, near the road they can see the oryx gazella (also called gemsbok) and later they visit a 30 meters deep canyon.Then they go to Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert where they climb a dune and look at the Dead Vlei (Dead lake) with its dried tree trunks.Arriving at Windhoek Moses explains the story of Namibia, the German period and later the South African period (apartheid).Then Moses and Sophie travel to the Etosha National park (22.000 square kilometers): the see the kory bustard (a big bird), zebras, gnus, giraffes, elephants and the huge nest of the sociable weavers.Later Sophie meets Stéphanie Periquet, a French scientist who is observing the fauna of the Ongava Reserve with camera-traps.Then Sophie meets Paul Tangeni Ndjamburla (a bike tour promoter) at Sandwich Harbour where the dunes of the Namib desert end into the sea, the Atlantic Coast is a good place for surfing. They go to Swapkomund: riding their bicycle the visit the historical center of the town, the township ( where Paul was born) and they eat oysters on the pier.In the dunes near the town Ernst Areseb is a guide who shows to the tourists the life of the small animals in the sand (the famous Namib sand gecko).Later Sophie meets Herman Ariseb of the Topnaar community and discovers a desert melon called nara, a plant with deep roots which produces a fruit with yellow-orange pulp: the seeds are also edible and can be transformed into oil.Finallly Sophie meets Stanley Mareka, a dancer and choreographer who manages its own dance company and often helps the children of a school and their neighbors with food donations.

Special programme: gourmet Martinique: In the midst of Martinique's sublime décor, chef Anto Cocagne meets some of those with a real passion for the island's cuisine. Along the way her path crosses that of cooks and small farmers, all committed to preserving a sustainable local gastronomy.

Iceland, a traveller's dream: A few kilometres from the Arctic, the island of ice and fire amply deserves its name with its incredibly diverse scenery. Volcanoes, glaciers, lava fields, vertiginous waterfalls, geothermal areas, natural baths, black sand beaches: all add up to a landscape from the end of the world or its very beginning.

Normandy from village to village: From D-Day beaches to the rolling hills of the Perche Ornais, from Pays d'Auge and its orchards to Swiss Normandy cliffs, Normandy's varied landscapes provide all a tourist could want. But the region also offers plenty of little-known, even unsuspected, beauty spots that illustrate its rich historic and natural heritage.