Révélations monumentales - Episode Guide

In France, on the coast of Normandy, in a vast bay swept by the most powerful tide in Europe, stands the Mont-Saint-Michel. Both a masterful abbey and an impregnable fortress, this silhouette is known around the world and attracts nearly 3 million visitors each year. Yet the Mont Saint-Michel is far from having revealed all its secrets. Today, with the help of the latest technology, experts now have the means to scrutinize this site on all scales and try to fill in the gaps of its fascinating history.

Erected at 2430 meters high on a rocky crest in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, the city of Machu Picchu remains in the eyes of many this civilization's most breathtaking and enigmatic urban creation. This extraordinary sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, still holds many mysteries. But today, using state-of-the-art technology, experts now have the means to go back in time to probe the invisible, to explore what lies beneath and around this ancient city, and reveal its secrets.

Nestled in the Jordanian desert, Petra is regarded as the 8th wonder of the world. Forgotten for centuries, this city was erected 2000 years ago by Nabataeans, a people of Arab merchants. It was rediscovered during the 20th century by a Swiss explorer. Even today, scientists are still fascinated by its monumental facades carved into the rock and its unique hydraulic system. Using the latest technology, experts can go beyond what the eye can see, and are on a mission to unravel Petra's mysteries.

On the planet's largest continent, in Asia, the Great Wall of China spans the country from East to West: but this enigmatic monument is still shrouded in mystery. Thanks to the latest digital technology, today's experts now have the means to scrutinize this UNESCO World Heritage site from all perspectives and scales, from the infinitely far to the infinitely close. History, science, construction… they dissect the work of ancient builders to try to reveal secrets kept for millennia.

The story behind the breath-taking temple complex Angkor Wat, which is located in Cambodia. Angkor Wat is a Hindu, then subsequently Buddhist, temple and the largest religious monument in the world. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century.

How the church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, rebuilt by the Roman Emperor Justinian, has survived 1,500 years of turbulent history. Built in 537, this is a walk-through the stunning place of worship located in Turkey.

A look at Le Louvre, the world's largest art museum, located in Paris, and the home of Leonardo da Vinci's celebrated portrait, the Mona Lisa.

Taj Mahal: A walk through the iconic mausoleum complex, located in India and commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his beloved wife.

The Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is regarded by many as the most sacred Christian site in the world. Every year, the site welcomes more than one million pilgrims. Built on the site of the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, it has a unique atmosphere. Defied by time, wars and earthquakes, the Holy Sepulchre was rebuilt many times, and has transformed itself into an architectural labyrinth. Here, thanks to the use of new technologies, the Holy Sepulchre reveals its secrets as never before.

An exploration of Tikal, one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centres of pre-Columbian Mayan civilisation. Hidden in the heart of the rainforest, Tikal was the capital of the most powerful kingdom that the Maya built.

In this episode, we discover Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the most popular cathedrals in the world. It attracts 15 million visitors each year. An icon of French culture, and history, this monumental masterpiece is testament to the skill of its medieval builders.