In the south-eastern French region of Vienne, one tomato grower has striven for years to produce the best possible flavours. Jacky Mercier has won over the most demanding of palates, including top Paris chefs like Yves Camdeborde and Iñaki Aizpitarte. They now cannot imagine doing without his traditional tomato varieties. Jacky's secrets are character, authenticity and lots of patience. We went to meet him.

Legend has it that in 1963, France's Vanoise National Park was created to save the last endangered Alpine ibex. With 107 peaks of over 3,000 metres or more, the park in the heart of France's Savoie region attracts thousands of hikers each year in search of fresh air and the great outdoors. In this intact nature reserve, locals have developed alternatives to the usual winter sports. From snowshoeing to discover wildlife, to dog sledding for a unique adventure and even diving into a frozen lake, there's something for everyone!

Under a blanket of snow, the vineyards of France's Côte d'Or region seem asleep in winter. However, it's during this season that their destiny is played out: the vines are pruned and fires are lit to protect them from frost. The coopers make barrels for the next harvest, with a know-how that has earned them international success. Down in the cellars, day after day, oenologists and their keen senses supervise the wine ageing in the barrels.

The 80 dormant volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys, located deep in France's central Auvergne region, are a geological wonder listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The green slopes attract hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, unfazed by the magma still bubbling 50 kilometres down. The rich volcanic soil also delights Auvergne's cows, whose milk is entirely devoted to the production of Saint-Nectaire cheese. Meanwhile, the petrified lava is turned into a stone that's been worked by local craftsmen for centuries.

It's a school like no other. Since 1822, the Centre of Naval Instruction, in the French port city of Brest, has trained the cadets of the French Navy. Every year, 240 youngsters aged between 16 and 18 join the famous "Mousses School". They board for 10 months, taking theoretical classes and learning about military life: teamwork, discipline and the meaning of commitment. But navy life isn't for everyone, so as a taster, the first sea outing is a crucial moment.  During their ten months of training, the apprentice sailors are put through some severe tests, none more so than the daunting field exercises. We take a closer look.

In France, working the soil is often a family business. In the western city of La Rochelle, we meet three generations of cereal farmers who have been working the fields since 1912. A little further north, in the Mayenne region, a whole family has converted to organic farming. For all of them, each working day is a chance to learn or pass on know-how.

It's nicknamed the intense island. Located 10,000 kilometres from the French mainland, in the Indian Ocean, Reunion Island contains a thousand treasures for the senses. Some 40 percent of the territory is a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the coast, whale song punctuates the missions of oceanographers. Meanwhile, on the Grègues plantation, a bright orange root is harvested by hand to make a popular spice: turmeric.

There are some places in France where the destination is less important that the actual journey; beautiful roads that are just delightful to take. The road bordering Lake Annecy is both a challenge and a reward for cycling enthusiasts. Meanwhile on the French Riviera, the Grande Corniche, which has inspired so many filmmakers, is best enjoyed at the wheel of a vintage car. As for the Passage du Gois in the Vendée region, a submersible road that links the Atlantic island of Noirmoutier with the mainland, it is also used to pick shellfish, on foot. But watch out for high tide!

Forests cover almost a third of French territory. While part of this wood is protected, a growing share is transformed into timber or used for heating. The teams from France's National Forestry Office help manage this essential resource. More than simple lumberjacks, they roam the forests every day to ensure the development of this "green gold". Meanwhile, private individuals also come to cut their own firewood, in agreement with landowners. But rest assured: logging is strictly monitored and French forests are experiencing constant growth.

In France, puppet shows attract children and adults alike. All year long, puppeteer Jacky Cartillier and his daughter Carole-Anne criss-cross France with their Guignol show. They have passed down the show from generation to generation for 70 years. Guignol, the most famous French puppet, was created in the city of Lyon in 1808. Two centuries later, Guignol and his sidekick Gnafron have lost none of their banter. Meanwhile, Marie and Sandrine belong to the Talabar puppet theatre company. Since its founding in 1987, the female artist-puppeteers have produced 14 different shows.