Series synopsis
A Journey in the Wild American West, also known as Voyage dans le Grand Ouest américain is a French documentary television series that premiered on ARTE on March 8, 2026. It stars Louis-Marie Blanchard.
From the Californian desert to the rainforests of Alaska, naturalist and writer Louis-Marie Blanchard sets out on a 5,000-kilometre journey in the footsteps of ecological pioneer John Muir. Through the emblematic landscapes that Muir helped to save, he sets out to meet the men and women who keep alive his fight to preserve the wilderness. A journey of initiation, poetry and commitment, driven by a deep and intimate admiration for the man who changed his life.
Premise
From the Californian desert to the rainforests of Alaska, naturalist and writer Louis-Marie Blanchard sets out on a 5,000-kilometre journey in the footsteps of ecological pioneer John Muir. Through the emblematic landscapes that Muir helped to save, he sets out to meet the men and women who keep alive his fight to preserve the wilderness. A journey of initiation, poetry and commitment, driven by a deep and intimate admiration for the man who changed his life.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Louis-Marie Blanchard as Self - Host
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 3 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 3 | March 8, 2026 | March 8, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
California's National Parks In search of the legacy held by the world's first protected natural areas, writer and naturalist Louis-Marie Blanchard travels through California's great national parks, following in the footsteps of John Muir, the pioneer of nature conservation. During his journey, he meets people who work tirelessly to protect wild nature. |
March 8, 2026 |
| 2 |
Oregon's Hidden Treasures Writer and naturalist Louis-Marie Blanchard explores the lesser-known natural wonders of the American West, from the long-lived pines of the White Mountains to the majestic volcanoes of Oregon. Human activity has massively impacted and forever altered these landscapes; today, many animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. |
March 8, 2026 |
| 3 |
Wild Alaska In Alaska, Louis-Marie Blanchard visits the Tlingit people, who are experiencing a cultural renaissance, climbs the Muir Glacier, scarred by climate change, and addresses the current challenges of nature conservation. Primeval forests, brown bears, fjords, and animistic traditions paint a vivid picture of the beauty and fragility of the boreal wilderness. |
March 8, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ARTE |
|---|---|
| First aired | March 8, 2026 |
| Last aired | March 8, 2026 |
| Runtime | 53 minutes |
| Status | continue |