ARTE Distribution

In the American West, the Grand Canyon, carved out by the waters of the Colorado River over 445 kilometers, is one of the most impressive natural sites on the planet. Protected by a national park since 1919, it is home to an astonishing biodiversity living in a mineral environment with inhospitable conditions.

Dominating the Romanian Carpathians, Bran Castle stands guard over a land of legends. Associated with the most famous of vampires, Dracula, it attracts crowds in search of artificial thrills. But in the dark woods surrounding the fortress, other wild creatures lurk, far more real than the old count... Bears, lynx and wolves have made these ancient forests their main refuge in Europe. In the shadow of the castle, between flourishing tourism and the need for preservation, a new cohabitation between humans and beasts is taking shape.

In a garrigue bathed in sunshine, the Gardon shapes a wild landscape where life adapts to its whims. 2,000 years ago, the Romans defied this indomitable river by building the Pont du Gard, a veritable masterpiece of engineering. A symbol of human mastery over nature, the edifice has nevertheless blended into its surroundings over time. Little by little, plants and animals have colonized its stones, transforming this ancient monument into an incredible refuge for Mediterranean biodiversity.

Perched on the heights of Alsace since the XIIᵉ century, Haut-Koenigsbourg castle has witnessed the power struggles that have shaped the region. But its history is not limited to human rivalries: by modifying the landscape, its builders also transformed the surrounding flora and fauna. Forests, meadows and rivers have evolved, impacting emblematic species such as the white stork, the wildcat and the European hamster. Today, visited by thousands of tourists, the château stands helplessly by, witnessing the growing rift between man and his environment...

Majestic and timeless, Mont Blanc is much more than just a summit. The cradle of mountaineering, it first saw science guide the first ascents, before becoming the Mecca of high-altitude sports. But Mont Blanc is first and foremost a living, natural heritage, concentrating all the biodiversity of the Alpine massifs. Today, global warming is jeopardizing the snows that were once thought to be eternal, and with them the harmony between man and mountain.

In the heart of the Isle of Mull, battered by winds and sea spray, Duart Castle dominates a wild landscape. Witness to clan conflicts and Scottish destinies, the proud Highland stronghold now seems eclipsed by another history: that of the beasts. Eagles, otters and deer now attract visitors who come to capture the image of unspoilt nature. This fascination with the wild is gradually redrawing the fragile balance between human and animal heritage. Can the Isle of Mull preserve this cohabitation without one taking precedence over the other?

Seeds: Nature's Superheroes takes us on a fascinating journey into the heart of the plant world, where it all begins… with just one little seed. Like tiny exploration pods, these intrepid travelers use spectacular strategies to conquer new territories and ensure the survival of their species. 

Set against breathtaking landscapes—from Europe to Africa, all the way to Australia, South America, and the Great Plains of the United States—the documentary follows their journey, from the moment they detach from their parent plant to their often unpredictable destination. Led by a team of international scientists who study them and attempt to unravel their mysteries, this film reveals the invisible mechanisms of life: seeds which are carried by the wind, transported by water, scattered or crushed by animals, or even propelled by exploding fruits, are Nature’s superheroes.

Deep within Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a secret buried for millennia is coming to light. Trees frozen like statues, blood-red water laced with poison… What is this strange phenomenon threatening one of the planet’s last wild paradises?

A team of scientists investigates and uncovers a disturbing truth: the Delta could cease to exist, a victim of the very forces that shaped it. Using cutting-edge technology, they attempt to anticipate the inevitable and protect the local wildlife and communities. A race against time is on to save this fragile gem before it vanishes forever.

Of all the projects undertaken in France since the start of the millennium, none is more ambitious than the effort to re-establish Mont-Saint-Michel to its former status:  that of an island.

Mont-Saint-Michel, Megastructure tells the story of the monumental project that was carried out over a period of 10 years: the construction of a dam, a pedestrian bridge, and a new parking lot— all challenges that reveal just how extraordinary this project was in every respect and shed light on today's Mont-Saint-Michel.