There exists on our planet
a land blessed by nature, a country where the rich,
fertile, and well-watered soil has given birth to exceptional wildlife. This country is France. You are going to discover it
as if for the very first time. What is this large deer looking at,
as the new day dawns? It's a territory
filled with extraordinary nature, a land which, by its diversity,
has attracted man for thousands of years. The animals living in these climes
have fabulous adventures to recount. However,
they're not part of another world. We men and women share their lives. They struggle to survive,
combat one another, and make peace. They choose their mates, and deploy all their strength
to raise their young. They transform themselves
and acquire unsuspected powers. They travel long distances. Some men protect them,
while others care for them. Some even form alliances with them. From the highest mountain tops
to the ocean shores, here are the secrets of this country. The outstanding destinies
of these little-known animals, and the men and women
who live in contact with them. It's a fascinating journey
into the secret land of wild France. Our story begins in the high mountains. At first glance, everything appears calm,
but a closer look reveals a survival zone. Animals and plants
are engaged in a race against the clock. It's a struggle
to resist the harshness of winter. Animals here are clothed
in a layer of fat and a coat of fur, which enables them
to resist the polar-like cold. They sleep for six months, lowering their cardiac rhythm
to one beat per minute, and reducing their body temperature
down to four degrees Celsius. To take advantage of the sun
for as long as possible, plants begin to blossom under the snow. When spring arrives,
everyone emerges from their shelters. We're in the Pyrenees mountain chain, home to the continent's
most powerful animal. The brown bear is a force of nature. Just out of his den, this huge, solitary beast
has one vital need, to devour everything
he can get his paws on. He hasn't eaten anything for months and has lost a third
of his weight during the winter. The bear's vision isn't very keen, but he has an incredible nose, capable of smelling food
from ten kilometers away. His sense of smell
has detected a dead, wild sheep beyond the summits. To satisfy his appetite, the bear can travel
several kilometers every day. He's the marathon runner of the mountains. In the spring,
his diet requires an abundance of protein, and the sheep will be perfect. This is not the time
to think about anything else, but what's that underneath? Earthworms will make a wonderful snack. While not enough
to restore any reserves of fat, it is tasty all the same. Now, off for the sheep again. A protein diet is all well indeed,
but there's also fruit. The vitamins in fruit are good for health. Now for the main dish, no more stopping. What about ants? They're protein. The problem with the ants
is that they itch. They crawl under the fur. There must be some termites
under this bark. We've got to deal with the ants first. Just a quick stop to clean up,
and a trout passes between the paws. That's hard to resist. Besides, the soft flesh of the fish
is full of calcium, good for the bones. What's that? Raspberries. Sorry, it's too tempting. The technique is a bit tiresome,
but each mouthful deserves to be savored. Our gourmet spreads
the seeds he ingests in the mountains, unknowingly participating
in their biodiversity. After living in the French mountains
for a quarter of a million years, the bear almost disappeared
in the 20th century, but the good news, he's back again. Mammals represent
a third of the bear's diet, and if he attacks
a domestic herd by chance, it's because they're easy to catch and because the bear
doesn't know that such meat is off-limits. The old folks tell children
that if they run into a bear, they should speak politely to him, as the animal has a gift
for understanding a man. If you come across one, don't run. Just walk away as naturally as possible. To the east, the Alps rise up,
forming a 1,200-kilometer mountainous arc. It's a colossus that controls the climate
and maintains the water reserves that irrigate the plains. We're in the Écrins National Park, 150 summits surpassing 3,000 meters
and 10,000 hectares of glaciers. This territory is the realm
of a legendary animal, the golden eagle. A number of people
have decided to devote their lives to preserving this ecosystem. Among them, one such man has been roaming
these mountains since his childhood. Christian is impassionate
by everything that lives here. Although, the golden eagle
has won over his heart. Every year,
he tracks them by finding their nests, determining the number of youngsters, and making certain
that the conditions will allow them to soar through the skies
for a long time to come. The first animal breeders settled
in these mountains 5,000 years ago. The eagle has lived here
for 300,000 years. He's very possessive
of the territory he occupies. If another eagle tries to enter it,
he attacks. The combat is merciless. He is capable of killing the intruder. During his ascension, Christian crosses a number
of different types of terrains, from the bottom of the valley
to the glaciers. It's as if he were traveling
from the south of France to the polar circle. Each sector
has its own plants and animals. Three kilometers of uneven land reveals
as much as 3,000 kilometers of the planet. Their only common element is the water
that the mountain expels into the valleys. Following the torrents, Christian has discovered
a small bird with unique abilities. The dipper feeds on small aquatic mollusks
that live in the river beds. As strange as it may seem, it is capable
of diving into glacial waters. No other bird can move
under the water as well as the dipper. It swims with its wings. To feed its young, it dives down to a depth of two meters
and remains there in apnea for 15 seconds. He does this several times a day. The mountain altitudes
inhabited by man stop here. At 1,600 meters, a new world begins. The huge forest of conifers
with large trees, pines, and spruces. A terrain
reminiscent of the Siberian tiger. The eagle prefers to create his nest
at the edge of the forest, but finding it is no mean feat since the imposing bird
is extremely discreet. Be sure to keep your distance, since the animal,
although strong and powerful, is afraid of us. The King of Birds is fierce. The eagle's hunting ground is higher up,
where trees are more rare, where the terrain opens up
to his piercing eyes, and where grass reigns supreme. On leaving the forest, we cross an area
that Christian calls the combat zone. The tree's branches
fall to the ground exhaustedly. It's pain for those who dare. The alpine grass takes over, a terrain that resembles the tundra
of the Great North. Since prehistoric times,
to flee our hunter ancestors, the marmot has taken refuge
in these high prairies. To go about their daily activities, marmots have developed
a collective surveillance system. Sentinels take turns of guard duty
on their colony's territory. In this way,
they can raise their young in peace and spend their time
playing and living together. Even more outstanding,
they have their own language. From a distance,
they can indicate to others the nature, and proximity of any potential danger. A repeated whistling signifies
that the danger is approaching, be on your guard. A short whistle means
everyone must take cover. During the time
Christian has been observing him, the eagle has become accustomed
to his presence, and sometimes a miracle can take place. The eagle's eyesight
is eight times superior to that of man, and his field of vision is 300 degrees. Nothing escapes his sight. The eagle gains high altitudes
in order to choose his prey. It's a bitter law of nature, but without marmots,
there would probably be no eagles. The final step of the ascension,
the summits. On these vertiginous slopes, we sometimes hear the sound
of falling rocks. It's the chamois,
whose refuge is vertical. The eternal snow
on the glacier resemble the polar circle. One would think that nothing
could live faced with these elements, but that is not the case. Usually, the snow is white,
but in the spring, it can be pink. This is due to algae
which flourish in the snow. What do they feed on? Water. These microscopic particles
color the snow. It's the blood of the glaciers. The Mercantour Massif
is further south in the Alps. An important event has taken place
in the bowels of the earth. During the first days of April,
a birth has been announced. Two brothers are born
in a deep and dark den. This wolf cub is three weeks old. It's the first time
he's seen the light of day. The youngsters' curiosity
is aroused by the smells and sounds coming towards them. The two brothers are ready for adventure, eager to go out
and discover the world above. Their mother isn't there. There she is. Maybe they should've stayed in. They still don't realize
that they are powerful predators. Like their mother, they won't understand
that herds of sheep are forbidden to them, that they frighten children for no reason, and some people would prefer them
not to live on French soil, but in spite of the fear they generate,
the law is on their side. From the highest mountaintops
to the inaccessible cliffs, survival strategies
are invented everywhere. A prime example
are the peaks of the Verdon Canyon. What could possibly survive
on the vertical rock faces where moving around defies
the laws of gravity? Yet, there's a surprising, rare,
and little-known animal living here. A tightrope walker
with a perfect sense of balance, the butterfly bird. This vertical life is the passion
of Arnaud and Stefanie, both European leading climbing champions. During their ascension,
they come across a variety of lives. Small flowers appear as if by magic, or this old Phoenician juniper bush. It's more than a thousand years old, and its roots grow deep
and far under the rock. However, their favorite sight, the one that fascinates them the most
is the butterfly bird, also known as the Tikadrama. It stands vertically,
thanks to the morphology of its feet, which are large
with very solid, curved claws and thumbs facing downward. It's called the butterfly bird because it roams along the cliffs
by opening its wings in fits and starts. Its wide wings enable it
to take advantage of the rising currents and to reach the heights
with a minimum of effort. Equaling the bird's likeness
is a challenge for the two champions. However, the challenge has its limits. Arnaud and Stéphanie
like to sleep above the emptiness below. Sleeping on the cliffs
is like being suspended, momentarily out of time. The plains of Alsace and the Vosges mountain chain
in northeastern France is a surprising region. In the autumn,
geese arrive from northern Europe and cross France on their way
to southern climates to spend the winter. For thousands of years, the adults have been guiding
their newborns along these airborne routes. This family consists of a father,
a mother, and their six youngsters. The two adults fly ahead
and when one of them gets tired, the other takes over. The youngsters follow them. Since this is their first journey, they stay close to their parents
and obey their slightest movements. They take advantage of the current
and fly as if part of a platoon. The parents are not from the same species. The mother is a blue goose,
whereas the father is a grey goose. Their offspring are therefore mixed. Some have the yellow beak of their father
and the others, their mother's pink beak. Things have not gone
as smoothly as planned this year. A young female
has been giving her parents trouble. She spends her time doing
useless acrobatic movements when she should be saving her energy. The youngster refuses
to do as her siblings do. Her constant lagging behind
and falling out of formation is wreaking havoc within the group. Mother often has to put her youngster
back on the right track. The parents use visual references,
including rivers, mountains, and sometimes even our manmade roads
to guide themselves. Tonight, they decide
to make a stop at Lake Kruš. Of course,
the young rebel does her own thing. The family will spend the night
on the banks of the lake. Our family has been awake since dawn,
but it's still too early to fly. They have to wait for the fog to lift. True to her independent nature, the young rebel leaves
on her own to explore the surroundings, totally unaware of the danger. The family is ready to leave. The father is confident
and gives a signal for departure. The sun's rays are strong enough
to create rising winds that will carry them along. At the other end of the lake, however, our young miss is beginning to realize that she can't hear
the shouts of her family. They've left without her. What now? Young geese
don't have a migratory instinct. Without their parents to guide them,
they have no idea where to go. Follow the water,
fly up to the sky, and hope to spot them. Call her mother in the hope
that her cries will reach her. Heading southwest,
the family has left on a long journey, crossing the plains
and then soaring over the mountains, covering 300 kilometers in one day. The mother has just realized
that she's forgotten her youngster. She's got to find her immediately. As she flies back to the lake, the father continues the journey
with his young. He'll slow down the rhythm knowing
that his companion will join him soon. The mother checks every part
of the landscape. There she is. With one flap of the wings,
mother and daughter are reunited. She places her youngster
in her wake and redoubles their efforts, hoping to join the family
before nightfall. There they are. Has the young rebel learned her lesson? Adult geese are extraordinarily patient
with their young, and confident as well. They never give up on them. The plains of Alsace are rich and fertile. Man has lived here for a long time
on the banks of the Rhine, cultivating its hills. Just above these medieval villages,
a medium-sized massif rises up, the Vosges. A sumptuous flora transforms
this relief into a magic forest. Beech, oak, spruce,
and pine trees grow here in abundance, rivaling each other in terms of size. Some of these centuries-old trees
can reach a height of 15 meters. It's a rich and protected habitat
for a large fauna that enjoys the generosity of this forest. Another animal with a ravenous appetite
lives in these forests. More discreet than the bear,
but just as energetic. The badger
is the most home-loving of mammals. Miss Badger lives here. Her life is organized
with great precision. She wakes up at 7:00. She takes care of a little business
behind the big tree at 7:05. Breakfast at 7:10. She cleans herself up at 7:15, followed by a tour
of the property until eight o'clock. Although her schedule
doesn't usually change, today an important project
is going to disturb her routine. This morning, she feels
the pressing need to start a family. Finding a Mr. Badger
is therefore, of vital importance. She knows,
since she's already picked up the scent, where to find a handsome male partner. However, before choosing her lucky mate, Mrs. Badger has to find a home
for her future family. Like any respectable badger, she needs a home with one main entrance
and several secondary exits. More important, however,
is finding the right terrain. Digging begins. This ground is too light,
better look elsewhere. Oh, sorry, madame. This might do. No, it won't do at all. Here? Not so great either. This looks just right. A high ceiling with visible beams. A fox has already done a good part
of the work. This will be just fine. Mr. Badger will help
with the finishing touches. Miss Badger knows
that a few respectable males live on the other side of the lake. What's important
is to avoid a fickle, unfaithful male. Certain males accept
the invitation willingly, only to leave the moment
the youngsters are born. A male has left his odor as he passed by. Where is he hiding? In a universe of caves and labyrinths, one can search for weeks
without finding one another. There he is. What's more,
he looks like a hard worker. That's a good sign. He agrees. Miss Badger is happy. No, the house
is on the other side of the lake. This way, Mr. Badger. Mr. and Mrs. Badger
can now furnish their family home. To do so,
they have to dig out 40 tons of earth to create galleries on several levels. Soon, five young badgers
will be waking up at 7:00 a.m., doing their business at 7:05,
having breakfast at 7:10, and cleaning at 7:15. Going down towards the plains
of central France, thousands of hectares of nature
surround the spaces inhabited by man. Just outside of Paris, there's a forest
whose beauty and unique nature attracted the kings
of France for centuries. Fontainebleau is a royal forest. For 1,500 years, it has been protected
by the kings of France. In this forest
of oak moors and desert sand, in these illusively-shaped rocky massifs, the world's royalty
would come together to ride and hunt. Dogs have been through the undergrowth
of this magic forest thousands of times. An incredible story
has been perpetuated here for centuries. It's a story of complicity
and rivalry between two kings. One often talks about inseparable deer, and it's true that two deer
can spend their entire life together. These two 10-pointer royal males
are a perfect example. The two friends are both seven years old
and have been together since birth. The first deer is fearful, deeply worried,
and spends his time waiting for danger. The second deer is careless
and sometimes oblivious to danger. The fearful deer's ears
can hear the slightest sound within a radius of 300 meters. The careless animal, however,
has a quality cultivated to perfection, his nose. He knows how to find
the best food in any season. Willow leaves and tender ivy. We can understand
why these two deer form a couple. They warn each other of the danger
and share the food they find. They are partners in everything
and are never out of each other's sight. The deer have a territory
they know by heart, and a network of trails
that they use all their lives and which cross our paths. These routes
are transmitted from doe to deer, from generation to generation. The deer has been hunted
by the wolf for thousands of years. To escape their highly organized packs,
they have developed a number of tricks. Although wolves are coming back to France, the danger often comes
from their descendants, dogs. The tricks, however,
for escaping them are the same. Getting away from the pack
as quickly as possible, but especially getting rid of the odor
that dogs can trace for hours. Passing through dry terrain
in order to weaken the odor. Entering the water and hiding,
using it as camouflage. The odor spreads in the water
and becomes imprecise. Even the sharp noses
of the dogs are losing their trail. The deer have escaped the pack. The careless deer remains calm, but his fearful partner
is still stressed out. Once again, they help each other. When it's time to rest, they find a well-protected hiding place
to shelter. They spend the entire winter,
spring and summer together, but with the changing of season
comes the fateful moment of their lives when their story shifts dramatically. It's autumn, their antlers
have lost their velvet texture. Their coat has grown and turned black. A hormone in their body
is multiplied a thousandfold, testosterone. They can only think of one thing,
the does. Each deer approaches
the herd from a different side. One through the plain,
the other from the water. Testing their power of seduction, mingling with the females
to smell their fragrance. The squall stimulates
the female's ovulation and activates their going into heat. From that moment on,
sharing is impossible. The fearful one becomes fearless. Complicity is totally forgotten. Forcing the other to give up
in front of the females. The does await the verdict. The fearful deer is the strongest. His bellowing
rings out like a cry of victory. The careless deer surrenders. The females gather around their hero. He will mate with them for an entire month and prevent any new pretender
from stealing his throne. His careless friend will remain alone, but when the first cold days
of winter arrive, as if nothing had happened, the two friends will become allies
once again for a new season of complicity. Wild animals have lived side by side
with us for thousands of years, and they've had to adapt
to our presence and our activities. Some are dangerous,
but others can be beneficial. A great many animals
have passed through Marie's hands. Ever since she was a child,
when she recognized her calling, Marie has been coming
to the aid of animals in need. Her reputation has gone far
beyond the borders of her community. As soon as an animal is in difficulty,
it's she who is called upon. The most frequent animal wounds
are from accidents with cars. For a variety of reasons, newborns and youngsters
fall from their nests. Hunting is sometimes the cause as well. In the spring she receives
more than 120 species in her home, meaning up to 70 baby bottles
administered per day. Marie's dilemma
is that she has to provide affection to all of her convalescing animals. However, this affection has to include
getting them used to the presence of man, without doing too much since there's a risk
of the animal becoming too attached to its human benefactors. Marie is like a surrogate mother, and a maternal relationship
is created with each animal. The treatment
she administers to sparrows is the same for all the youngsters. Warmth, constancy,
and permanent attention. The little owls with their golden eyes
and their grumbling look are very playful. They like to play
hide-and-seek with Marie. Games like these create complicity. Most of the animals
know how to call for Marie when they need her. In her presence,
their innate fears vanish, and ironically, prey and predator
make peace with each other. In Marie's opinion, the animals
are receptive to encouragement. Simply telling them
to go on, hang in there, do it for her gives them the strength
to fight the illness. Animals are like us, she says. If you encourage them,
if you love them, if you motivate them, they'll make the effort. She feels that some of them
even get better just to please her. However, she doesn't want them
to get too attached to her and forget their wild impulses. When an animal is back in good health,
Marie needs all of her courage. Releasing them isn't easy. A part of Marie leaves with them. Giving back their freedom
is Marie's special gift. On the Atlantic side of France
in the Poitou-Charentes region, there is a very unique type
of territory known as the Marais Poitevin. It's a natural space shaped by man, 100,000 hectares of inundated land. Today, these spaces where seawater
and freshwater come together have created an incredible ecosystem
with flourishing wildlife. Julian has been exploring these wetlands
ever since his childhood, and he knows all its secrets. Julian is a living memory
of this territory. His passion is to talk about the land
in the manner of town criers of the past. This inveterate storyteller
spreads the word about the wetlands to anyone ready
to be charmed by its tales. He guides us through its meanders to discover the incredible stories
of the wildlife living here. Part of the swamp land
is filled with water all year long, the Rozalea. In spring, all the creatures
give life to a new generation. One of them requires a transformation
reminiscent of a science-fiction story to create its offspring. The dragonfly undergoes a metamorphosis. The small larva has spent
more than a year under the water. Its perilous transformation
will take place tonight. A high ground is required. Tonight, its life is going to change. The ugly aquatic larva is going to become
the handsome emperor dragonfly. The liberation can begin. Sucking in the air
and inflating its new body, its thorax breaks the envelope. It sheds its former skin. Its new feet come out easily,
but the dragonfly can't use them yet. They're still too soft. No question of falling now. Wait for the feet to harden. The mutant is now
in a totally vulnerable state. At last, its feet are ready. They're going to be able
to grip its former head. Extracting the abdomen, the final step
before leaving its former body. The young dragonfly deploys its new body. The wings and fowl are humid and soft. Any movement could attract
the curiosity of a predator. It's a critical moment. Suddenly, the miracle occurs. The wings are deployed,
never to close up again. In the early morning, it's finally ready. The dragonfly flaps its wings
and reveals its attractive new appearance. Four independent wings
on a perfectly aerodynamic body. The small aquatic larva
that came out of the water last night has become one of the most sophisticated
flying creatures in the world. No machine can come close
to the perfection and dexterity of a dragonfly in flight. Soon it will find a partner, and the cycle will begin again. When man first arrived here
in prehistoric times, the site was an immense marshland
invaded by insects. In the 12th century,
communities of monks settled here, and began the monumental task
of drying up the swamps. They built dams
to prevent the water from rising, dug canals to evacuate the rainwater,
thus freeing the incredibly fertile soil. Agriculture and animal breeding prospered, giving these formerly hostile lands
an unimaginable wealth. In a part of the marshes, Julian knows of an area left fallow by man
and which has been taken over by animals. The ash trees
which were once used for firewood, have been abandoned. They have since been deployed,
giving birth to a magnificent space. It's a secret spot
that can only be seen from the sky, a forest, where in spring, one hears
the shouts of a thousand youngsters. It's a nursery for colonies of herons,
the Heronniere. Although it's a paradise for some,
it's also a scene of tragedy for others. These fledglings are three weeks old
and are constantly hungry. Their parents spend
every day searching for food to satisfy their ravenous appetites. Something, however, is not right. One of the three youngsters stands back while the other two devour
everything their mother regurgitates, and yet he's hungry too. Usually,
the adults take three to four-hour shifts, but the male in his family disappeared. The mother is required
to execute a constant aerial ballet to feed her young. She has to fly up to 30 kilometers
to find fishing sites. Competition is fierce in the swamp. She's not the only one
fishing for a family of four. The mother doubles her efforts
for her three youngsters, but a struggle
among the brothers has already begun. The two strongest siblings
have joined together against the weakest. More frail and less active,
he can only eat the leftovers. The problem is there aren't any. A single parent
cannot possibly feed all three. Instinctively,
they attack their little brother. It's not just a simple rivalry,
but a fratricidal struggle for survival. The weakest of the three will die
so that the other two can live, and there's nothing
the mother can do to prevent it. The laws of nature can often be merciless. The best way to understand the complexity
of this region is from the sky. The Marais Poitevin
is an extraordinary labyrinth of an infinite number of canals. They drain the water towards the sea. This network of land arteries
acts as a filter on the water that descends
from the center of the country. The wetlands capture alluvia, treat it, and cast
clean, healthy water into the sea. These high-quality waters are a godsend for the reproduction
of the region's species. A great many birds come here
to nest and to lay their eggs, but the countryside
abounds with predators of all kinds. Frank is one of these. His passion is finding the greatest number
of fledglings in a period of a few days. Frank, however,
is a blessing for his prey. His mission,
for the Museum of Natural History, is to give the young birds he finds,
an identity tag. He travels through the swamps
from morning till night, looking for the most hidden areas. His objective is to protect those who have unknowingly placed themselves
in harm's way. The short-eared owl nestles on the ground. This tendency can often be fatal, since they cannot tell the difference
between high grass and a cultivated field. This species of owl
is threatened with extinction. Frank's job is to alert farmers to the fact that beneath their feet,
they possess a real treasure. He asked them to be careful
not to cut the birds into shreds as they reap their crops. This knowledge
and this reverence for life make each of us capable of preserving
what lives next to us. More and more bird species
nowadays live close to man because in our environment,
there are fewer natural predators. Without knowing it,
we offer them our protection. The jackdaw is a small, mischievous bird
whose delicate odor Frank adores. For Frank, smelling the aroma of a bird
is a way of capturing its essence while still allowing it to remain free. Thanks to people like Frank, millions of birds
are identified every year, allowing them
to follow their migratory routes, making it possible
to intervene in the event of an epidemic. Julian has other surprises
in store for us. When night falls over the marshes, other creatures wake up
and leave to go hunting. The Rhinolophus bat is one
of many species living in France, but for one of these bats,
hunting is over for the day. She has to rush back to her colony's nest
since the big moment has arrived. Tonight, she's going to give birth
to her first infant. Like swallows,
bats live under man-made roofs. Although Rhinolophus bats
prefer living in the community, our future mother
finds a more isolated space in order to give birth in privacy. The contractions have begun. The head appears first. The mother begins
by cleaning her offspring. She licks it and frees its ears,
which are stuck to its head. The newborn is free and it descends naturally,
searching for her nipples. With her wings, she envelops and protects
the youngster from a possible fall. The Massif Central in the center of France
possesses numerous volcanoes eroded by time. Further south, we find the incredible diversity
of the Cévennes region. The river water
descending from the granite mountains have carved the contours
of this calcareous region. Over time, the water has dugout canyons
hundreds of meters deep. In recent years, an extraordinary animal
has once again taken up residence on the cliffs of this region, the griffon vulture. It lives in colonies and is dependent on the actions
of the group. The vulture has invented
a collective strategy for finding its prey. It's a sophisticated procedure
that is repeated every day. It's 6:00 a.m., and the sun hasn't yet penetrated
the depth of the canyons. Without the warmth of the sun,
the vulture cannot fly. Despite its hunger,
there's no question of moving yet. At last, the air can carry them. Like an air squadron,
dozens of vultures take off. They gain altitude,
thanks to the warm currents. They can now fully demonstrate
the exceptional talent of dividing up the territory. The large birds take their positions
over several kilometers. They scan every inch
of their hunting ground, but never lose track of the other vultures
for a very good reason. If one of them spots a prey,
it immediately dives down after it. The other vultures haven't seen the prey, but they've noticed
the absence of one of them. This means there's something
to eat down below. In a matter of seconds, the entire colony
gathers around for the feast. The work
of one individual benefits everyone. Sharing is the price to pay
for the colony's survival. Each bird can now return to its nest with a part of the treasure
for its youngsters. The formidable work of vultures
rids the nature of corpses and their bacterial pollution, thus preventing the contamination
of the water table. Thanks to them, these lands are now clean
to the benefit of all the inhabitants. To the north of the Cévennes, the Lozère region with its higher plateaus
is lashed by the wind. Protestants took refuge here
to escape being massacred during the great religious wars. This was once the scene
of numerous combats of faith. Despite its austere nature, it's here that the greatest number
of rivers are born. One of the most famous
takes its source on Mont Lozère, the Tarn. During the first warm rays
of the sun in the spring, the Tarn reaches its optimum strength. Eric wants to challenge the river
when it's at its most dangerous. However, before measuring himself
against its force, the extreme kayak-racing champion
wants to feel its currents. He wants to become one with the river
and go as far as it will allow him. Eric knows that he can't fight its power. The slightest error is unforgivable. The force of the currents
will crush, shatter, and drown him. Eric experiences extreme pressure. During such moments, a feeling
of completeness invades his spirit. His passion was born on this river. Ever since, when spring arrives,
he comes to pay tribute to it. The rivers cross and nourish the land, just as the blood
in our veins nourishes our bodies. They are the country's precious treasures. The rivers of France
have attracted a newcomer from a bygone nearer, the otter. With nostrils capable
of filling underwater, eyes that can change shape to adapt
to different modifications of light, streamlined body, powerful webbed feet, and nasal hairs that enable the otter
to detect the slightest movement of any underwater prey, the otter has a huge number of powers. Beauty, however, attracts jealousies. The otter's thick, soft, and warm fur
made it the victim of hunters in the past, who used the fur
to clothe kings and queens. The otter reigns
over 40 kilometers of the river. When he leaves to hunt for food,
this aquatic beauty can be terrifying. Everyone goes into hiding. If a fish sees an otter,
it's already too late. If you see one, don't try to challenge it. The otter can remain underwater
for eight minutes. An insect endemic to the Cévennes
lives in the Lozère mountains, the black bee. It has existed on our planet
since prehistoric times, and yet it might have disappeared were it not for people
who watch over it and protect it. This flower-loving insect is a workaholic. It works much more than necessary,
in fact. Which is what enables man
to enjoy some of the honey it produces above all, for itself. Yves is a very special kind of beekeeper, and his honey is famous
for its aroma and its unique taste. Yves' ability
for getting the best out of his bees stems from his thorough knowledge
of their society and roles. His talents borders on alchemy. To house his bees, Yves builds them trunk hives which are imitations
of their natural habitat. In these chestnut tree trunks, thousands of workers
live around their queen. The black bee has a highly sophisticated
sense of vision, reminiscent of advanced technology. Attracted by vivid colors, it looks for the nectar
of the finest flowers. However, on its return trip
to the hive to conserve its energy, it passes from color
to black and white mode, a subtle moderation for the bee. When the scout detects
an important source of food, it transmits the information to the hive. By a series of dances and gesticulations,
it indicates the direction, the distance, and even the quantity of pollen available. This is how
the pollen gatherers are recruited. To preserve the health of his bees, Yves practices
a delicate operation every year. He creates a new swarm. He coaxes the old queen
into entering the trap just above. As soon as she's inside,
he can claim victory. The departure of the old queen provokes
the rapid and spontaneous appearance of a very dynamic,
very prolific new queen. However, he also wants to preserve
and protect the species and prevent the black bee
from disappearing as a result of inbreeding with other bees. He therefore transports
the old queen to a secret site where no other variety of bee lives. He won't take any honey
as he allows these swarms to reorganize. In this way,
the black bee species can be preserved. A bee lives for barely 30 days, becoming in turn, a cleaner, nursemaid,
builder, domestic, and guardian. It's only after this entire series
of initial tasks that the bee can become a nectar gatherer. Then one day, it falls to the ground, struck down by fatigue. Throughout its entire existence,
a bee produces about seven grams of honey. To the south of the shores
of mainland France lies an island of majestic beauty. From its mountainous barriers,
extraordinary valleys, ravines, and canyons, a legend recounts that the sun
made such intense love with the sea that a child was born, Corsica. We're now in the Scandola reserve. Dominated
by the Genoese towers of Galeria, the cliffs plunge gracefully
into the Mediterranean. Scandola is dedicated to the preservation
of the island's natural land and sea treasures. This unique site has been classified
as UNESCO World Heritage. The symbol of the reserve, the osprey,
which almost disappeared here, is back again. Although Scandola on land is magnificent, it's under the sea that this reserve
conceals its greatest treasures. To protect this exceptional heritage, one man has devoted his adult life
for more than 30 years. Jean-Marie is the curator of the site. He has an appointment
with a creature from the ocean depths. Each time he dives, as if it knew, the carnivorous creature
rises from the abyss, but it does so without any warning. It chooses its hour. The fish here have no fear of man. They're not hunted
and we represent no danger for them. This herbarium is one
of the Mediterranean's major ecosystems. It's an underwater prairie
which provides nature with 20 liters of oxygen
per square meter per day. Scandola is a favorite spot
for fish to spawn their eggs. The eggs laid here
are carried by the current outside the limits of the reserve and nurture
all the neighboring marine depths. All of these fish species will flourish and guarantee their presence
on the country's coasts. There it is, waiting. The grouper is accustomed
to living in total safety at a depth of 100 meters. However, in these protected waters it has no qualms
about swimming to the surface. Why does it systematically greet him? Is it accustomed to this man in a bubble? Who are you? The love life of the grouper
is one of the world's most surprising, to say the least. The grouper is a hermaphrodite. All young groupers are born as females and at the age of ten
change sex and become males. Males and females come together
in early summer to reproduce. They dance and change colors
as a means of seduction. This is the astounding nuptial parade
of the groupers. The grouper almost disappeared
from the Mediterranean coasts, but it once again reigned supreme,
thanks to reserves like Scandola. The Fango Delta is just
a few hundred meters away from Scandola, a beach where freshwater joins the sea. In these natural ponds, a species of animal that has existed
since the beginning of time flourishes, the cistude. It's the mating season, and this particular turtle
has a curious seduction tactic. As a cold-blooded reptile before mating, it has to recover its energy,
thanks to the sun's rays. Quickly, to the solarium. No time to lose
before the crowd takes the best places. Oops, too late. This makeshift raft
will do just fine as a deck chair. No, this is definitely not a good idea. Over there, an isolated female? The technique is quite simple. Without her seeing, to take his mate by surprise
and keep her head underwater to prevent her from moving and breathing. No one in the colony
seems to be shocked in the least. The cistude turtle is somewhat brutal,
but that's how they reproduce. As soon as one moves away from the coast, this mountainous island
becomes prickly and hostile, with a marquee of thick, sharp-cutting,
and thorny bramble bushes. To survive in this vegetal barbed wire, one needs to be made of bronze
and have an incredibly thick skin. The king of this terrain is the wild boar. Most wild boars
live in groups and never separate. Certain individuals, however,
have a fairly surprising behavior. This large male is a case in point. He's coupled with all the females, resulting in the birth
of a great many young boars. Is he getting bored? Is he frustrated
by the attitude of the sows which no longer call him in their favor? Or is he filled
with an irrepressible spirit of conquest? The male abandons his herd
in search of adventure in other valleys. Equipped with the world's
most extraordinary snout, the boar can distinguish odors
on the ground left by other animals several days ago. A herd of boar
came by here three days ago. About 15 individuals,
lots of youngsters, mothers. Wait a minute, an uncoupled sow. Just what he needs. He's three days late. In three days, the group
has covered a great deal of territory. His snout, however,
can guide him over dozens of kilometers without the slightest wrong turn. The only thing that could make him
lose the trail is the water. Has the female crossed the river? It's over there. Time to cross over. In spite of his hunger,
the armored warrior continues his trek. Day and night,
he stubbornly follows the invisible trail, which brings him closer
to his female with every passing hour. After two days without stopping,
he senses his reward is near. There they are. The herd and the young female. That's definitely her. As if they understand each other with a sense of modesty
characteristic of their species, the two animals join together
to find a discreet site far from curious eyes. Now, it's time for a nice bath
to coat the body with a thick layer of mud in order to eliminate any ticks
that could sting and itch. The adventure he has just experienced
has whetted his appetite, and he's ready once again
to leave in search of new conquests. The sexual drive
of these large, solitary males has an important genetic function
for the different boar populations. Thanks to these adventurous individuals, the wild boar herds will not deteriorate
as a result of inbreeding. The gentleness of the climate and the fantastic
Mediterranean location of Corsica have attracted a number of different
populations throughout the ages. Some of them
have settled in the mountains. In the commune of Venaco, the inhabitants have preserved
the gestures of the ancestors. Animals other than wild boars
travel long distances through the Corsican mountains. At the end of spring,
when the sun's rays warm the earth, goats and sheep
head naturally for the summits. The herds do not need anyone,
not even the dogs that follow them, to reach the cooler climates
of the mountains. Paul is their shepherd. He's been following them for 30 years. When they decide to leave, he has to go. He leaves the village to spend five months
at an altitude of more than 1,800 meters. After a day of climbing,
the animals on their own, find the pastures
where they'll be spending the hot months. The summer can now arrive. An uncontrollable instinct flows
through the veins of these animals. In the past,
some sheep left for the mountains and became what they were
before being domesticated by man, wild sheep. In the neighboring valley, the boar has finally found a herd
with which he can enjoy spending time without having to head for the mountains. A few hundred kilometers away,
the bear is looking for a winter den. He puts together a few branches
and makes a soft, downy nest in the shadow of the spruce trees. The deer are back together. The two rivals
have forgotten their rivalry. A new year of complicity can begin. The vultures continue
to look for a new treasure, which they don't have to share this time. The bat is now teaching her young to hunt. The two wolf cubs have become adolescents and follow their pack
without fear of the lightning. The dragonfly has found a partner and will give birth
to a new generation of dragonflies. The marmots take advantage
of the last days of sunshine before their long hibernation. Mr. and Mrs. Badger have had an argument. They've decided
to separate by mutual consent. The entire family has succeeded
in crossing France from north to south. What remains now
is to cross the high mountains, a final ordeal
that requires all their strength. The difficulties of traveling
have changed the attitude of the young rebel. Her parents sometimes
even let her lead the formation. With enormous courage, these birds have been confronting
the elements for thousands of years in order to survive
and continue to feed our imagination. The geese will spend
the winter in southern climes, and return in the spring to once again soar
above the fascinating lands of France.
