Wild France with Ray Mears — S01E04 — The Cevennes

00:00:02 France... for many of us, that means tourist attractions,

00:00:43 to the rolling plains.

00:01:42 and for naturalists, it's a hidden treasure trove.

00:02:31 about trekking through the Cevennes with donkeys,

00:03:20 and they were moved here from several kilometers away,

00:04:17 If I'm sliding off a hillside, it's going to be really awkward,

00:04:56 With a wingspan of nearly three meters, they can cover vast distances in no time.

00:05:52 But the poison is not selective, and the vulture disappeared very quickly.

00:06:57 The griffin vulture prefers the soft meat like muscle, intestine.

00:08:12 one that's crossed the border all the way from Italy,

00:09:27 So he's got some there, he's taking it in the shade.

00:10:28 Conservationists are keen for them to stay and grow in number,

00:12:10 As I get deeper into the landscape, I get a sense of how remote this area is.

00:13:15 As a consequence, you see lots of terracing put in by local people.

00:14:22 Yves keeps bees in a traditional way that is unique to the Cevennes.

00:15:26 It's very beautiful.

00:16:15 and you've taught people in England, Scotland, Germany.

00:17:04 The true honey of the bee.

00:18:07 Laurent Fossar is a local chestnut farmer.

00:19:12 Grafting usually takes place in early spring.

00:20:09 You can still clearly see these grafting marks,

00:21:01 so I'm going to put these chestnuts, or châtaignes, to good use

00:21:40 We've got this wonderful baguette made from chestnut flour,

00:22:27 This really is one of France's best kept secrets.