Echappées Belles

Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, "La Sérénissime" has an artistic and architectural heritage of incredible richness which attracts many visitors from all over the world. Venice has mastered its lagoon, a shallow expanse, to become the icon of romanticism and global tourism.

Ismaël Khelifa explores the region of Porto and the center of the country. It is to the rhythm of the meetings that he soaks up the atmosphere of Portugal. Traveling from city to city, the facilitator discovers how much tradition and modernity live in perfect harmony. This stay is also an opportunity to appreciate the flavors and generosity of Portuguese cuisine.

Tiga takes viewers along the Dordogne river. Long used by barges to transport wood from the Massif Central to the Bordeaux region, its waters are known to be sometimes calm, sometimes choppy. Its preserved natural environment and its rich biodiversity have earned it recognition as a World Biosphere Reserve by Unesco.

Jérôme Pitorin crisscrosses Reunion Island and meets its inhabitants. With its vast protected national park, the island is a magnificent playground for all lovers of outdoor activities. Far from the clichés of fine sandy beaches lined with coconut palms, Reunion is especially famous for its many natural sites.

Costa Rica, the "Switzerland of America", enjoys a sweetness of life that has taken advantage of its history, especially thanks to the cultivation of coffee trees, which transformed this poor country into a prosperous nation. But Costa Rica is home above all to 5% of the planet's biodiversity, forging the reputation of a virtuous nation.

Ismaël Khelifa embarks on a gourmet journey to the other end of the Atlantic Ocean, in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. In the four corners of the Guadeloupe archipelago, he will taste typical Antillean dishes. Between courses, he goes for a walk to stretch his legs and dive into the turquoise waters.

Between lakes and mountains, sport and delicacies, there is something in Haute-Savoie to satisfy all travelers. From village to village, Jérôme Pitorin discovers a warm way of life, but also the importance that the centuries-old traditions have for the Haut-Savoyards, and their love of the simple pleasures that nature offers.

The second largest French department is not only a territory of fine sandy beaches: most of it is occupied by the regional natural park of the Landes de Gascogne. This extends from the Bassin d'Arcachon, in the Pays de Buch, to the south of the Grande Lande and covers a large part of the pine forest of the Landes de Gascogne massif.

From Guéthary, the little pearl of the Basque coast, to the village of Espelette, via Sare, where the emblematic Rhune train is located, Sophie Jovillard sets out to discover the coast, the valleys and the Basque mountains. From its old fishing villages to its medieval towns, the Basque Country could be summed up in one word: authenticity.

More than 15,000 kilometers from the metropolis, French Polynesia sounds like a dreamlike end of the world with its 118 islands scattered across the Pacific over an area equivalent to the surface of Europe. Its almost 300,000 inhabitants are united around a common value: respect for nature. In partnership with Géo.fr

Postcard landscapes, hamlets clinging to the mountains, grandiose glaciers, sharp peaks and secret valleys: this is Valais. Ideally located in the southwest of Switzerland, Valais corresponds to the upper Rhône valley, in the Alps. Ismaël Khelifa travels the snowy valleys of this canton to meet its inhabitants.

The Dominican Republic is famous for the beaches of Punta Cana, "all inclusive" hotels and mass tourism. But, behind these images, hides a magnificent island with many faces. The "Rep-Dom", as its inhabitants call it, is a country rich in contrasts, with an exceptional geography.

Aired on France 5 on Saturday April 17, 2021 at 8:54 pm - Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Madeira appears today as an island out of time where, between sea and mountains, it is easy to relax. Land of champions, like Cristiano Ronaldo, Madeira also attracts personalities who come to recharge their batteries. Sophie Jovillard sets out to meet its inhabitants, who never cease to preserve this paradise in the middle of the Atlantic.

Broadcast on France 5 on Saturday May 1, 2021 at 8:55 pm - Duration: 1 h 31 min Ismaël Khelifa embarks on a journey towards the French islands of the Mediterranean. Throughout his visits, Ishmael discovers how men have used the geographical isolation of these small pieces of land to make them unique places. Indeed, each island has its own identity and function.

Aired on France 5 on Sunday May 2, 2021 at 10:17 - Duration: 1 h 31 With hundreds of kilometers of canals with towpaths, greenways and numerous small roads, the Champagne countryside offers an ideal terrain for exploring by bicycle. With a compass as his only ally, Jérôme Pitorin is ready to go on an adventure in Champagne.

Aired on France 5 on Saturday May 8, 2021 at 8:57 pm - Duration: 1 h 27 To discover Martinique, Ismaël Khelifa is accompanied by Théo Curin, Paralympic swimming champion, endowed with an unusual will, who has succeeded in forging a destiny as brilliant as his Olympic medals. Ismaël wanted to invite Théo to this issue of "Echappées belles" to share his passion for travel with him.