Alongside the last Mussot or Marc Lévy, it will certainly be one of the

page turner

of the summer.

The summer issue of our colleagues from

Sciences et Avenir La Recherche 

(with whom we produced the “Sixième Science” podcast) also found the recipe to transport the reader.

Released on July 1, the magazine contains in its central file a scientific treasure hunt throughout France.

Journalists have listed no less than 100, alternating between museums unknown to the battalion, exceptional sites and curiosities of nature or human activity.

Before slipping it into your suitcase, briefing with Carole Chatelain (photo opposite / B. Martinez), editorial director and chief nugget finder.

How did the idea that gave birth to this dossier come about?

Obviously, it is linked to confinement.

We told ourselves that, this summer, most of our readers were going to take their vacation in France, and that we had to offer them opportunities for outings.

Hence the idea of ​​offering them little-known treasures.

It's not specified on the cover, but the editorial staff really wanted to find treasures that you won't find elsewhere.

Several renowned researchers also share their favorites with us.

What do you mean by “scientific treasure”?

The site must be of scientific interest, but it can be in very different fields; from natural and architectural heritage to places of science, where researchers work. The selection is all the wider as it covers the metropolitan and overseas territory. For example, we take you to the archaeological park of Roches Engraved in Guadeloupe, which is little referenced despite its wealth. In a completely different register, you may be tempted to discover the T-rails of the aérotrain, brilliant precursor of our TGV, which has never been marketed. 


A few pages further on, readers will find our map of France of open-air sites where you can observe dinosaur footprints or their bones.

What all this has in common is that they are nuggets that vacationers are unlikely to know.

For example, if you visit Balazuc (Ardèche), which is one of the most beautiful villages in France, you will also find a museum there with an extraordinary collection of nearly 600 fossils of major interest.

To come across such a pearl during your vacation is totally unexpected.

Let's talk about the casting.

What were your selection criteria to retain 100 treasures on, I imagine, many more proposals?

First of all, we had a geographical constraint, which is that all regions be represented, so that the reader can find satisfaction whatever their resort.

After that, astonishment was really our first criterion of choice.

To be accepted, a proposal for an exit had to be unknown or almost unknown to the rest of the editorial staff.

Let us be in pure discovery.

Did you know that the Ardèche has more dolmens and menhirs than Brittany?

We didn't know.

If I had to summarize, this file was designed as a

page turner

with plenty of possibilities for outings and weekends, whether for the summer or after.

Personally, what was your favorite?

If I had to name just one, it would be the Tapestry of the Apocalypse, in Angers (Maine-et-Loire).

Everyone knows the Bayeux tapestry, this one the readers do not need us to discover it.

Due to its theme, its gigantism (141 m long and 4.60 m high), but also its execution (reversible, the tapestry leaves no visible thread on both sides), this one, very well highlighted in the castle of Angers, is worth at least as much the turning.

We are clearly on a nugget of world order.

In addition to this dossier, what will readers find in the pages of this summer edition?

Many things. We were interested, for example, in the tiger mosquito. Arrived in 2004, it has since spread over almost two thirds of the national territory. The subject is approached from all angles: how to protect yourself from it, not to be stung, how the insect evolves. On a more tech note, one of our journalists dwells on the subject of deep fakes, those videos that rely on artificial intelligence to make anyone say anything. Numerous teams are on the war footing to fight these attempts at manipulation, especially in the banking sector. Especially since distinguishing the true from the false is very complicated. It plays out with a few things, like the reflections of light in the eyes. We are witnessing a real race for the shallot between those who use the faked image to manipulate the audience,and all the others to whom it prejudices.

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