The craftsmen who shape the accessories of France's Republican Guard have a particular know-how which simply cannot be replaced by a machine. When the cavalry band need new musical instruments, be it helicons or clarinets, they call on the best talent. As for the most prestigious decorations, such as the Military Medal and the Legion of Honour, they are created by the craftsmen of the Paris Mint with military precision. FRANCE 24 takes a close-up look at this unique craftsmanship.

Located 13,000 kilometres from the French mainland, in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Kerguelen archipelago is home to a maritime nature reserve that has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2019. On land, thousands of elephant seals spend their days basking in the sun. The seabed, which has remained untouched, is teeming with rare fish. Hundreds, perhaps even thousands of organisms, have yet to be logged. FRANCE 24 takes you to discover this unique ecosystem.

From the foothills of the Vosges mountains, to a medieval town in the south, to a village on the Spanish border, France has many beautiful streets full of history. We take you to discover three of them.

We take you to discover the coastline of the French region of Brittany and its gems of natural beauty. With its 70-metre-high cliffs, the Cap Fréhel has some of the most dramatic scenery in the region. Further west, there are spectacular views over the Morlaix Bay, home to more than 60,000 seabirds. Out in the Atlantic, Ouessant is the last island before America. We end our journey at sunset at the Raz peninsula, looking out onto the Atlantic, at the tip of Europe.

In 1659, the Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed, putting an end to the war between France and Spain. More than two centuries later, under Napoleon III, a total of 602 boundary stones were put in place to mark out the Franco-Spanish border. Each of them has a story to tell. The demarcation line was then used as a crossing point for merchants and smugglers. Today, it sets the scene for a breathtaking journey. FRANCE 24 takes you to discover this corner of southwestern France.

We take you across France to discover some examples of increasingly rare craftsmanship. On the banks of the Loire River, Gilbert makes wooden moulds for some of France's biggest hat designers. Some 600 kilometres south, in the Pyrenees, the profession of clog maker still exists. The proud inhabitants of the Bethmale valley continue to wear locally made clogs for special occasions. Last but not least, wooden boats known as barquettes have been sailing in and out of Marseille's old port since the 18th century. Denis's family have been making and restoring them for three generations.

Located in the middle of Reunion Island, the Cirque de Mafate attracts nearly 100,000 hikers every year.  Listed as a World Heritage Site, it resembles a huge natural amphitheatre cut off from the rest of the world with no roads and only limited access via hiking trails or helicopter. So how do its 700 inhabitants get by day to day? FRANCE 24 has this report.

Some 158 French villages belong to an elite club: those deemed the most beautiful in France. In the heart of the hilly Auvergne region, in the centre of the country, the village of Usson clings to a volcanic peak at an altitude of 600 metres. Meanwhile, in the heart of the southern Aveyron region, Cantobre is a real eagle's nest. Only 15 inhabitants live on this cliff shaped by centuries of erosion. Further east, in Provence, the peaceful village of Cotignac is nestled at the foot of a spectacular rock. This village was originally built on a river.

Welcome to the magical world of amusement parks! France is a pioneer in the domain: in 1955, on the northern Opal Coast, Bagatelle welcomed its first visitors, two months before the opening of Disneyland in California. The founder's grandson is at the head of the park today – it’s a family affair! Other must-sees: Parc Astérix, which celebrated its thirtieth anniversary last year, and Futuroscope near Poitiers, where amid futuristic buildings, visitors can go around the world in four minutes with their feet in the air. FRANCE 24 takes you on a whirlwind tour.

The Mercantour National Park, in the south of France, is a hiker's paradise. If there's one person to thank for it being so well preserved, it's Roger Settimo. The 94-year-old discovered the site almost 66 years ago and has spent his whole life studying and photographing its wildlife. At altitude, hikers can see marmots and deer, admire bucolic landscapes or take an interest in prehistoric engravings. FRANCE 24 takes you to discover these breathtaking mountains, where more than 400,000 visitors come to recharge their batteries each summer.