They are the future of rural France: more and more young graduates are giving up a lucrative career to settle in the small villages of the French countryside. Whether they're grocers, farmers or cheesemakers, these young people are doing their best to favour short food circuits and highlight local produce. We went to meet some of the members of this new generation.

A natural border between France and Germany along 180 kilometres, the Rhine is a backbone of Europe. Every year, more than 300 million tonnes of goods pass through it: that's about two-thirds of the river traffic in Western Europe. From bargepeople to police officers and fishermen, we meet those who make their living on this mythical waterway.

For French craftspeople, the title of "Meilleur Ouvrier de France" is the prestige of a lifetime; the recognition of unparalleled know-how. The most famous winners are all chefs, but in reality, 230 different trades are involved in this competition. Florists, stonemasons and pastry chefs all compete with their skills to win the holy grail of their profession. We went to meet some of these talented craftspeople.

High up in the French Alps, Tignes is one of France's best known winter resorts. That's of course thanks to its snow, but also a more unexpected asset: its water. At 2,100 metres above sea level, its frozen lake in winter attracts divers in search of chilly thrills. The lake results from the 1950s construction, lower down in the valley, of a gigantic 180-metre-high dam, the highest in France. This monumental project completely reshaped the region and the destiny of the village.

The northern French city of Lens, once famous for its coal mines, saw a museum open in 2012. The Louvre-Lens is the little sister of the famous Paris museum. Since its arrival, it has literally transformed the neighbourhood, inspiring some residents to become frequent and passionate visitors. The museum has adapted to the area, which was hit hard by the closure of the coal mines in the 1980s. Every week, workshops are organised for young jobseekers. The goal is to seek inspiration in the artworks to improve self-confidence. Today, the Louvre-Lens is part of the scenery and the locals approve.

More than 500 years after his death, Leonardo da Vinci's legacy lives on in the castles of France's Loire Valley. The Italian genius spent the last three years of his life at the court of King Francis I, in Amboise. Today, volunteers are bringing the Château d'Amboise back to life by recreating royal balls there. At the Clos Lucé, which was da Vinci's residence, the chef brings 16th-century recipes up to date. Finally, in the nooks and crannies of the Château de Chambord, a researcher tirelessly tracks down every trace of the legendary artist.

Nine out of ten French people love chocolate. Chocolatiers like to think that the tenth person must simply be lying. In the city of Lyon, France's chocolate and gastronomy capital, techniques are a well-kept secret. Philippe Bernachon shows us part of the process of making chocolate from cocoa beans. At the Voisin chocolate factory, we learn about how to make old-fashioned pralines from huge slabs of chocolate. Meanwhile, Willy Ferrier tells us about his unique work as a chocolate sculptor.

France has more than 2,000 castles of all kinds. Across the country, enthusiasts are willing to make huge sacrifices to become owners. A childhood dream for some, a family inheritance for others, or even for the love of old stones: everyone has their own reasons. However, once proud castle owners, all are faced with the same reality: these monuments are generally a huge financial burden. The smallest renovation work usually costs millions of euros. As a result, today's owners are seeking innovative solutions – such as crowdfunding – to make their castle last.

In France's overseas department of French Guiana, the Amazon rainforest covers 90 percent of land. It's teeming with wildlife, but this unique biodiversity is in danger. Researchers and locals are doing their best to protect it, like in Favard, where the village healer passes on his knowledge to the younger generations and educates tourists on the need to protect the forest. Meanwhile, entomologists list different species of insects, a titanic job as this knowledge is still in its infancy. Finally, researchers are trying to understand what's driving the decline in sea turtles.

The Musée d'Orsay is the second most-visited museum in France after the Louvre. In 1986, this former Paris train station became a showcase for Impressionist art. The exhibition rooms are constantly evolving because only half the paintings are on display at any one time; the others are kept in the storeroom. Curators regularly renew the exhibits. Sometimes, the masterpieces require the expert care of restorers, who then have the delicate mission of bringing the paintings back to life. We take a closer look.