The Pyrenees with Michael Portillo
Former British Government Cabinet Minister turned broadcaster Michael Portillo embarks upon a journey of self-discovery as he walks stretches of the Pyrenees mountain range between Spain and France.
- 2022-2022
- 1 season
- Documentary
Former British Government Cabinet Minister turned broadcaster Michael Portillo embarks upon a journey of self-discovery as he walks stretches of the Pyrenees mountain range between Spain and France.
Season 1 Episode Guide
4 Episodes 2022
Episode 1
A Quest of Identity
45 mins
Michael explores the Spanish Basque region, an area which is integral to Michael's own heritage. His Spanish father and Scottish mother met through their work to help Basque refugee children who had fled to Britain during the Civil War.
Episode 2
A Physical Challenge
45 mins
Michael's Pyrenean quest continues with the physical challenge of the French High Pyrenees. He meets Olympic cycling champion Marion Clignet, who refused to let epilepsy curtail her career. He reflects on his career and the war in Ukraine.
Episode 3
A Spiritual Quest
45 mins
Michael meets a young couple from Luxembourg who left city life behind to become pig farmers. He enjoys a hearty lunch in a mountain cabin and learns about local customs and culture. He ends his day at abbey with Benedictine nuns.
Episode 4
An Emotional Journey
60 mins
The final leg of his walk is a very personal one for Michael as he is back in Spain, in the Catalonian Pyrenees. In 1939, his father fled through these mountains as a political refugee from the Spanish Civil War.