Europe's Wild Kingdoms

The animals associated with these places

The animal stories are specific to their settings. The production synopsis names deer at Chambord, harbour seals around Mont-Saint-Michel and black storks at the Bastei bridge. These associations make the series a useful meeting point for viewers interested in both European places and the wildlife that occupies them.

Smaller or less conspicuous inhabitants also receive attention. The Alhambra’s ribbed newts and cave-dwelling beavers at the Pont du Gard feature in the producer’s examples. Including them broadens the idea of a heritage landscape: the significance of a place can extend to animals a visitor might easily overlook.

Two episodes linking heritage and habitat

Written and directed by Patrick Morris, the production is listed as two 50-minute episodes in 4K. Le cinquième rêve describes privileged access to the sites, with the aim of revealing how their histories and the lives of their animals are connected. The credited co-production partners include Love Nature–Blue Ant Media, ARTE GEIE, Doclights and Impala Pictures.