It was during a trade show that the Charentes Tourisme development agency requested the production of Echappées belles, the France 5 travel show. Every Saturday, it achieves great audiences. 1 million viewers and the multiple rebroadcasts that follow. “It’s a great showcase for our territory,” emphasizes Marie Picard of Charentes Tourisme. We asked them not only to cover Charente-Maritime which is already well publicized but to also take an interest in Charente. »
This is how, for a week, a film crew traveled through the two departments with the recipe that made the show a success: visiting well-known or more unusual places with local ambassadors. “We choose people who are comfortable in front of the camera and who know how to tell stories,” says Jérôme Pitorin, one of the program’s hosts. Then, we set off to discover corners or activities that even locals can discover. »
On display in this issue, there will be a panel of sporting, cultural and nature sequences. “In Charente, we toured on the river in a canoe, we cycled,” continues Jérôme Pitorin. In Charente-Maritime, we went sailing on “Albarquel” and a trip with the kite buggy world champion to the Côte Sauvage. We are also going to Madame Island. »
This Thursday, April 11, the team was in Rochefort for the essential sequence on the market. It was Sylvie Deschamps, master gold embroiderer at the famous Bégonia d’or workshop, who served as a guide for the journalist.
“Oh but I watch you every Saturday night! » Jérôme Pitorin indulges in the selfie exercise. Many recognize him, including Sylvie, a Rochefortaise with whom the host takes the time to type the discussion. “I don’t have the means to go, so Echappées belles is a bit like my way of traveling. »
The show, which is in its 18th season, had a breakthrough four years ago. “At the time of Covid, we attracted many new viewers,” explains Jérôme Pitorin. When we are confined, we need an escape…”
Echappées belles sur les Charentes will be broadcast on Saturday May 18 in prime time on France 5.
