Record-Breaking Dams

New Episodes

There are dams - and there are mega dams. La Rance, Tignes and Roselend - three emblematic structures that, in their own time, have all broken records in Europe and even the world. With their Innovations and new construction processes, they represent civil engineering at its best. Never-before-seen images from inside the structures, drone shots and exclusive 3D animations allow to reconstruct the challenges and the achievements of their builders. In 1966, the dam of La Rance began to feed the first tidal power plant in the world.

When the Tignes dam was finished in 1952, it was the highest dam in Europe. Finally, there is the impressive Roselend dam in Savoy, renowned for its exceptional aesthetic appearance since its opening in 1962.

Bridges are counted among the most spectacular works of art and hold a special place in the history of engineering. They are the answer to a central challenge in the history of mankind — mastering…

For the second time, the TGV, France’s high-speed train, is the fastest train of the world. Yet, its engineers are continuously pushing for even higher speeds, having launched the new TGV Ocean and…

Taming nature and putting its energy to the service of man…it’s a challenge which has been mastered thanks to the construction of hydro-electric barrages. Three exceptional dams have…

To overcome oceans and mountains that separate us from our neighbors, engineers have pushed the limits of subterranean construction and dug tunnels which were thought impossible to achieve. We follow…

Canals are impressive masterpieces of human engineering. Join us for a closer look at three of the most well-known waterways of great historical and economic relevance. The first is Canal du Midi,…

Millions of cars, thousands of kilometers covered every day, on a network across an entire country. French highways are among the most developed in the world. There's the A40, a dizzying feat that…

The Normandy Bridge, the Chaban Delmas Bridge in Bordeaux and the Ténérez Bridge in Brittany. Three emblematic structures that have broken records in France, Europe and even the world. In 1994, the…

What drives scientists, inventors, and engi- neers to push the limits of what is possi- ble ? These innovators continually strive to design and develop technology, machines, and buildings that help…

Today’s submarines are the pinnacle of technology, the most sophisticated constructions in shipbuilding ever. In 1971, the Redoutable entered active service, a 9,000-ton vessel able to dive to a…

There are dams - and there are mega dams. La Rance, Tignes and Roselend - three emblematic structures that, in their own time, have all broken records in Europe and even the world. With their…