La science de l'étrange

In the heart of Athens, the vestiges of an ancient city have overlooked the capital for over 2,000 years: the Acropolis. Built in the 5th century BC, this sumptuous complex of temples and monuments remains the most extraordinary architectural work left to us by Ancient Greece. Thanks to CGI and explanations of the foremost international experts, discover the technical feats of Antiquity that allowed a rocky hill to be transformed into a monumental and immortal masterpiece. From the infallible anti-seismic systems to the techniques used to hoist blocks of marble weighing several hundred tons to the top of the hill, walk in the footsteps of the greatest engineers of Ancient Greece and discover their ingenuity, precision, and perfectionism.

In August 1938, just west of Vienna, Hitler ordered the construction of the Nazi's Mauthausen concentration camp, one of the deadliest in history.

Uncover the secrets of the most mysterious and powerful knightly order of the Middle Ages – the Knights Templar. You will see how their power and influence grew almost to the heavens, but also how they finally succumbed to the flames of alleged heresy. We will show you the rituals and traditions of this medieval knightly order. You will find out how a devastating smear campaign aimed at destroying the entire order took place or how rumors spread that the Templars survived, went into hiding and their order secretly continues. You will even learn how the Templars influenced the Holy Land and how they connected it to the European continent. The secrets of the Knights Templar are revealed for the first time in a three-part historical documentary miniseries of the same name. Don't be fooled by the legends surrounding the Templars and get acquainted with the latest historical findings.

Every day, Paris’ six railway stations welcome over 3,000 trains and more than a million travelers coming from France and all over Europe. The stations’ sizes are impressive: Gare du Nord is bigger than the Louvre or Notre-Dame de Paris. These railway stations are architectural landmarks and a model of urban planning despite the radical changes they’ve undergone since their construction in the middle of the 19th century. How did the railway stations manage to absorb the boom of travelers in just a few decades? What colossal works were necessary to erect and then modify these now essential buildings? From the monumental glass walls of Gare du Nord to the iconic tower of Gare de Lyon, to the first-ever all-electric train station, each has its own story, technical characteristics, and well-defined urban image.

Gombessa Expedition 3 Protected by an international treaty Antarctica has been spared the effects of hunting and fishing. But signs in ice’s cyclical patterns and its biodiversity have become worrying. Connected to the planet’s global ecosystem via atmospheric circulation and ocean currents, this white haven is suffering the effects of human activities. To document and explain what is unfolding in Antarctica, photographer, diver, and marine biologist Laurent Ballesta and photographer of extreme environments Vincent Munier will be blending their artistic perspectives of a rapidly changing continent. Laurent will tackle technical and human prowess below the ice to bear witness to its remarkable underwater life. His photographs will advance knowledge on Antarctica’s unique and little-known biodiversity. On land, his eye riveted to the lens of his camera, Vincent captures snapshots of life in an Emperor Penguin colony.

The Obersalzberg was an ordinary Bavarian mountain until Adolf Hitler discovered it in 1923. There at the Berghof, the Nazi leader spent his time surrounded by his most faithful lieutenants and his mistress, Eva Braun. Though mostly destroyed, remnants of the vast building complex still exist.

Hardly a day goes by without it being mentioned: we call it AI, artificial intelligence. Smart cars, smart phones, smart computers and smart surveillance systems - they are increasingly shaping our everyday lives. The triumph of intelligent devices seems unstoppable. Will they soon be smarter than us, or even replace us?

While Paris, the City of Lights, shines brightly, hidden in its shadows are fascinating installations, put in place nearly two centuries ago: the sewers. Even today, this 2,600-kilometer-long labyrinth of streets and infrastructure ensures the sanitation of the entire capital. In 1854, during Haussmann's grand urban renewal projects in Paris, the French engineer Eugène Belgrand undertook one of the century's largest construction projects: the renovation of the Paris sewers. His main innovation: an ingenious dual network that simultaneously treats wastewater and delivers drinking water to Parisians.

Venice, one of the world's most beautiful cities, was born of a peculiar idea: the desire to build a city in the middle of the water. Emerging 1,500 years ago out of the mud of a marshy lagoon, Venice has managed to rise above the sea’s challenges ever since. The city’s founders knew what they were doing: the water’s relentless threat is also the source of the city’s fortune and worldwide influence. But it takes constant vigilance. Over the centuries, Venice has had to invent and innovate, finding new technical solutions to keep the city vital, vibrant, and dry without sacrificing its soul.