Crozet et Kerguelen, sanctuaries on the other side of the world

You would never go there on holiday, but these islands on the other side of the world are real gems on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They were discovered a few weeks apart 250 years ago on 24 January and 12 February in 1772 by the French navigators, Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne and Yves-Joseph Kerguelen de Trémarec.

The Crozet and Kerguelen Islands belong to the French Southern and Antarctic Lands and are the largest land masses in the southern Indian Ocean. Characterised by a cold – the average temperature does not exceed 5°C – and very windy climate, it is not a tourist paradise. And yet for decades, scientists have been flocking there, attracted by the unique wealth of these islands: their incredible biodiversity. Far from hubs of human activity and surrounded by particularly rich waters, the Crozet and Kerguelen Islands are real sanctuaries for many species, including king penguins, elephant seals and albatrosses. Scientists can study these animals in their natural habitat by fitting them with tags and sensors and by monitoring their everyday activities.

We are providing you with a unique opportunity to discover these islands on the anniversary of their discovery through our photo and video reports.