Secrets d'histoire Season 17 Episodes

Episode 1

L'homme au masque de fer

116 mins

The man in the iron mask: Who was hiding behind the iron mask, Louis XIV's most famous prisoner? Writers such as Voltaire, Alexandre Dumas and Marcel Pagnol have largely contributed to forging the legend. No less than 50 different hypotheses exist concerning the identity of this mysterious and emblematic man.

Episode 2

L'amour fou d'Auguste Rodin et Camille Claudel

115 mins

Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel: of love and passion: When Camille Claudel met the renowned sculptor Auguste Rodin, she was only 19. Initially his assistant, then his muse, she eventually became an accomplished artist in her own right. Their love story remained secret for several years, in the shelter of the Château de l'Islette, in Touraine.

Episode 3

Fuite à Varennes: la folle cavale de Louis XVI... l!

106 mins

The flight to Varennes: Louis XVI's madcap escape: 21 June 1791. Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette and their children flee the Palais des Tuileries. Stopped in Varennes, the royal coach never reached its destination. From the Château de Versailles, we look back at this extraordinary and unforgettable episode of the French Revolution.

Episode 4

D'Artagnan, le mousquetaire du Roi-Soleil!

98 mins

D'Artagnan, the Sun King's musketeer: Alternately spy and messenger, d'Artagnan was also the jailer of the most famous prisoners of the 17th century. But just who was Charles de Batz de Castelmore? And how did this man from Gascony become a prestigious musketeer, before meeting his famous friends Athos, Porthos and Aramis?

Episode 5

Nostradamus ou comment prédire son avenir...

101 mins

Nostradamus, or how to predict the future... In the 16th century, the whole kingdom knew of this astrologist who predicted the future: Nostradamus. Was he an imposter, whose only talent was to tell evidences to incredulous minds? Or an extraordinary prophet, whose predictions continue to spark off debate even today?

Episode 6

Jean-Paul II, l'athlète de Dieu

104 mins

John Paul II, God's athlete: Karol Wojtyla, better known as Jean-Paul II, left his mark on History. We follow in his footsteps at the heart of the old town of Krakow, in Poland, exploring the background of he who would become, to general amazement, the first non-Italian pope in 450 years.

Episode 7

Vercingétorix, le premier des Gaulois

108 mins

Vercingétorix, the first Gaul... France is still Gaul, and the formidable Roman army is throwing all its weight into conquering it. Vercingétorix, eloquent and charismatic, prepares to stand against them, bringing his people together to confront the most powerful legions of their time. An immersion in the daily life of Gaulish civilisation.

Episode 8

Napoléon III, le dernier empereur des Français

111 mins

Napoleon III, the last emperor of the French: In the footsteps of his uncle Napoleon I, Prince Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte became the first French president to be elected by universal suffrage, before overthrowing the republic and crowning himself emperor under the name of Napoleon III. He thus realised an all-consuming ambition, despite the innumerable hurdles he faced.

Episode 9

Vatel, Carême, Escoffier: à la table des rois!

112 mins

Vatel, Carême, Escoffier: serving a king's table. François Vatel, Antonin Carême, Auguste Escoffier: who were they? We look beyond the aprons and chefs' hats to discover the men themselves. Three men, three chaotic destinies, three perfect successes, but one identical passion: haute cuisine. Down the ages, their culinary innovation indelibly marked the gastronomic world.

Episode 10

Diana, cette illustre inconnue

116 mins

Diana, an illustrious unknown: Lady Diana is one of those people who, without being a politician, artist or writer, marked contemporary history. On August 31st, 1997, her tragic death shocked the entire world. But who was the real Diana Spencer and why did she agree to marry Prince Charles, heir to the British throne?

Episode 11

Elisabeth II, notre Reine

Episode 12

Rosa Bonheur, la fée des animaux

100 mins

Rosa Bonheur, the animal fairy: Rosa Bonheur, French star of the 19th century, known even across the Atlantic, was one of the most talented painters of her time. A free woman with a strong character, she refused the codes that society imposed upon women and frequented the biggest personalities of her era, notably Buffalo Bill.

Episode 13

Ragnar, le viking qui a terrorisé Paris

112 mins

Ragnar, the Viking who terrorised Paris: From the 9th to the 11th century, a wave of unprecedented violence hit Europe. The Vikings pillaged the kingdoms they crossed. Who were these Scandinavian warriors? It was in Norway, on the banks of the Naeroyfjord fjord, that it all began with the most notorious of their leaders: Ragnar Lodbrok.