Iconic Landmarks

Every year, over two million visitors climb up to Marseille's most-visited monument, Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica. How did this structure, which has stood up to so much, see the light of day? With the help of historians, architects and experts, we shall unravel the secrets of the construction of this indestructible monument whose builders had to be exceptionally resourceful.

The Louvre is a symbol of Paris, one of the world's finest museums in the biggest palace in Europe. Thanks to 3D reconstructions, CGI, and interviews with leading architects including Ieoh Ming Pei's son, the film retraces an unprecedented architectural saga and takes us behind the scenes in what was one of the main residences for a series of kings and emperors on the throne of France.

Destined to be demolished, the Orsay station has been the subject of much debate, before finally being turned into a museum, the missing link between the Louvre and the Pompidou centre. Project after project, the Musée d'Orsay has grown, illuminated, to attract ever more visitors. Discover how these challenges have been met, to modernise this monument while preserving its historic cachet.

Built on a cliff more than 60 meters high, the Prince's Palace dominates Monaco and overlooks the sea. The construction work that started in 1215 and is still in progress today was a major challenge. Discover the story of this adventure spanning nearly seven centuries through this unprecedented documentary, with the House of Grimaldi as its echo and setting.

Located on the edge of a 20,000-hectare forest and explored by more than 10 million visitors every year, the Château of Fontainebleau is one of the most imposing palaces in France. Using CGI and interviews with experts, this film recounts the epic story of the creation of this incredible royal megastructure, once a small hunting lodge that was transformed into an international symbol of power.

From ceilings covered in feathers to sofas specially designed by Karl Lagerfeld, discover how the Hôtel de Crillon has been reborn under the artistic direction of Aline Asmar d'Amman. Between excitement and apprehension, this film takes us behind the scenes at one of the most beautiful luxury hotels, in the period leading up to its grand re-opening gala.

A 17th-century treasure, the Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte is one of the biggest private properties in France. Featuring interviews with experts, historical reconstructions, engravings, and CGI, this film will take us on an exploration of this huge construction project and the architectural prowess of builders who would go on to work on another masterpiece, namely the Château of Versailles.

The Élysée is home to ceremonial salons, huge walls, secret passages, apartments, reception rooms, and the Jupiter nuclear command center. With the help of experts, 3D models, reconstructions, and animated archive material, this documentary takes us on a trip back through the incredible saga of this seat of French power that has become a symbol of the Republic itself.