[2][3] The first documentary aired on 4 January 1997 on the Franco-German TV channel Arte.

[4] In coproduction with Arte France and Trans Europe Film, in collaboration with Éditions Gallimard, the programme inaugurated the adaptation of the collection "Découvertes Gallimard" in the same year, telecast on Saturday evening at 8:45.

[5] Selected documentaries are available in English, for instance, Alexandrie la magnifique and The Mummies of Taklamakan.

Key players, periods and events in history are used to figure in the stories, from Maya empire, Mesopotamia to the exploration of Africa, from Ancient Egypt to the Taklamakan mummies, from Leonardo da Vinci, Louis the Sun King, Frederick the Great to Jean-François Champollion, etc., the series explores our planet, recounting mankind's achievements, development, lifestyles and religions.

[1][8] The Human Adventure has been released on VHS and DVD by Arte Vidéo since 2002.