5 fascinating documentaries to boost your general knowledge

Life isn’t just about reality TV. Because you can never have too much general knowledge stored in your brain, January’s fresh start and good resolutions are the perfect excuse to set yourself a simple goal: watch (at least) one documentary a week. And you’re in luck — right now, TV schedules and streaming platforms are particularly generous. Society, culture, nature, scandal… Here are 5 must-watch documentaries to devour and seriously boost your culture.

A close friend, a bishop, a couturier, a private secretary—Queen Elizabeth II’s inner circle could be counted on one hand. And because we never tire of discovering new stories about Her Majesty, Julia Melchior unveils The Queen and Me, a moving portrait of an icon we miss so much. Her passion and deep knowledge of the equestrian world, the faith that guided her entire life, her brightly colored outfits designed to be seen from afar, her kindness toward staff, her unconditional love for her dogs, her mastery of Celtic dancing… Every detail of what made her happy is shared here by those who truly knew her—closely, often, and for years. Feeling nostalgic?

The Queen and Me, now streaming on arte.tv

They are among the most essential creatures on Earth, pollinating one-third of the plants we eat. There are no fewer than 20,000 species of bees—masters of natural architecture with remarkable intelligence. It took the teams at National Geographic and their cutting-edge cameras to create this gripping three-part documentary. Viewers are immersed inside the hive and into the daily lives of bees in the wild, revealing their ability to use tools, fend off formidable predators like the Asian hornet, and even devise strategic plans. A true masterpiece produced by James Cameron, led by explorer Bertie Gregory and backed by the expertise of entomologist Samuel Ramsey—after three years of filming.

Secrets of the Bees, now streaming on disneyplus.com

When it comes to World War II, resistance fighters are rightly celebrated. What’s less known is the scale of the opposite phenomenon: between 1941 and 1945, around 30,000 French citizens voluntarily joined the ranks of the Wehrmacht, the Schutzstaffel (SS), and the Milice, under the banner of the Legion of French Volunteers Against Bolshevism (LVF). Deployed to Poland, Belarus, and Russia, these extremists committed mass crimes with impunity, actively participating in the Nazi war of extermination. Who were they? What drove them? Were they ever punished? In his gripping documentary Les soldats français du Reich, Jean Bulot sheds light on this deliberately overlooked chapter of history—one that helps us better understand the roots of France’s far-right movements and the National Front.

Les soldats français du Reich, now streaming on arte.tv 

A tragic loss: the undisputed icon of French reality TV passed away last March. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and having survived multiple suicide attempts, Loana had everything going for her after leaving Loft Story in 2001—money, fame, and sharp intelligence. But after years in the spotlight, the public moved on. Partying led to bad influences, and old demons resurfaced. While we await more in-depth documentaries on streaming platforms, revisit these clearly sensationalist testimonies gathered in 2021 by Guillaume Genton and Thibault Gitton for RMC Story: a long interview with Loana herself, alongside Benjamin Castaldi, a media sociologist, a psychiatrist, and former loftmates Christophe and Julie—still together today.

Loana Story – The Broken Destiny of an Icon, now streaming on canalplus.com

n ninth grade, Zadig, Iris, Saïm, Mila, Nour, and their classmates are constantly glued to their phones. All day long, they’re flooded with fake news, rumors, and conspiracy theories—making it increasingly hard to separate fact from fiction. For six months, two real journalists from the Fake Off embedded themselves in these teens’ daily lives to teach them how information is created. Fact-checking, understanding hidden agendas, raising awareness: in Détecteurs de mythos, à l’attaque des fake news, director Cécile Tartakovsky takes on the challenge of educating tomorrow’s citizens with humor, empathy, and clarity. A must-watch for all ages.

Détecteurs de mythos, à l’attaque des fake news, now streaming on france.tv

“Why don’t you have children?”—a question that deeply irritates journalist Enora Malagré, who was deprived of motherhood due to endometriosis. A painful reality explored in a powerful documentary already making waves, co-directed with Chloé Garrel. Women without children are given a voice: those who struggled to conceive, those who experienced multiple miscarriages, those who chose sterilization, and celebrities who deliberately opted out of motherhood, such as Béatrice Dalle, Marianne James, and Mireille Dumas. But how do you grieve a dream when the choice is no longer yours? Enora—ironically sharing her name with the patron saint of pregnant women—delivers a deeply moving and cathartic testimony.

Why Don’t You Have Children?, now streaming on france.tv

After the acclaimed Bouche cousue (2020), director Karine Dusfour returns with Je vais te tuer, a gripping exploration of coercive control. Through unprecedented access to courtrooms dealing with domestic violence cases, the film gives voice not only to specialized judges but also—strikingly—to the perpetrators themselves. Emotional blackmail, surveillance, GPS tracking, threats… all used without apparent remorse. These chilling testimonies shed light on the insidious mechanisms leading to abuse. Essential viewing.

Je vais te tuer, now streaming on arte.tv

© Morgane Productions

What will France look like in 75 years? That’s the premise of this extraordinary journey through time, narrated by Stéphane Varupenne of the Comédie-Française and directed by Michael Pitiot. France: Once Upon a Time Tomorrow imagines the country in 2100, transformed by climate change. Based on scientific projections, landscapes become greener and more aquatic, with pneumatic vehicles and buildings covered in vegetation. A fascinating vision of a future where nature ultimately reclaims its place.

France: Once Upon a Time Tomorrow, now streaming on france.tv

For the first time in 2026, the Paris Agricultural Show was held without cattle due to an outbreak of nodular dermatitis. In the fields, cows, bulls, sheep, and goats graze peacefully under the watchful eye of Amélie Jolivel, a rural vet. Director Marianne Kerfriden follows her intense daily routine—cesareans, injections, sutures—at a relentless pace. This powerful portrait highlights the close relationships between field veterinarians and farmers, far from the glamorized version often seen on TV and social media. A raw and moving depiction of a demanding vocation.

Country Vet, now streaming on france.tv

They have “uplifting enthusiasm,” show remarkable solidarity, and their labor struggles led to major social progress. Northern France is the focus of a documentary rich in archives and testimonies, exploring a region shaped by the Industrial Revolution. Proud of their roots and heritage, locals experienced a major rural exodus a century ago, working in mines and factories. These “black faces” contrast with powerful industrial families like the Beghin family and the Bonduelle family, whose wealth shaped the region’s elegant seaside resorts. A fascinating film that might just inspire your next trip up north.

The People of the North, now streaming on france.tv

Did you know that the origins of drug trafficking can be traced back to the Netherlands, whose expertise in botany and the strategic port of Rotterdam turned the country into a key distribution hub? Directed by Christophe Bouquet and Mathieu Verboud, Drug Trafficking: Europe’s Poison is a two-part documentary. The first episode explores the history of drugs across Europe, while the second paints an alarming picture of today’s situation. Mafia networks, 1970s youth culture, opium cultivation in former colonies, cannabis farming in Morocco’s Rif mountains… Drawing on insights from researchers, journalists, police officers, judges and customs officials, this investigation exposes the inner workings of a system that is both chaotic and uncontrollable. Absolutely dizzying.

Drug Trafficking: Europe’s Poison, available on arte.tv

With Agnès Jaoui as writer and narrator, Mélissa Theuriau producing, and Karine Dusfour directing (also worth watching: her excellent Je vais te tuer, which follows trials for domestic violence), not to mention powerful testimonies from Florence Foresti, Lena Mahfouf and Virginie Efira, the name-dropping alone makes The Age of Women dream-worthy. But beyond that, it’s incredibly informative and genuinely enjoyable to watch. Designed as a snapshot of women’s lives today, the documentary tackles a wide range of issues: occupying public space from the playground onward, body image, abortion, stereotypes and, of course, mental load. Among the most memorable voices? Najia Zahaoui, juggling life between her two daughters and her ill mother, and the warm, relatable gynecologist-obstetrician Amina Yamgnane, founder of La Clinique des Femmes in Paris, delighted that her grown children have finally left home. You’re not alone.

The Age of Women, available on France.tv

Big blonde hair, acrylic nails, flawless guitar chords, sharp wit, and socially engaged lyrics — Dolly Parton has long been more than just a country star. She’s become a pop culture icon able to bring together Americans across political divides, generations, and backgrounds. In Nicolas Maupied’s Dolly Parton: America’s Great Unifier, interviews and archives reveal the queen of country music in all her paradoxes — a joyful, inspiring portrait of a woman who managed to unite a nation through her music and charisma.

Watch Dolly Parton: America’s Great Unifier on arte.tv

Just two hours from Paris, Ireland ranks among the most breathtaking countries in the world. Its rolling green hills, rugged coastlines, and dramatic cliffs shaped by wind and ocean create landscapes unlike anywhere else. Combining stunning panoramas with fascinating scientific and historical insights, Ireland: Between Land and Sea feels like a journey straight from your couch. From Connemara to the Beara Peninsula, with a boat ride to meet marine wildlife, this documentary captures the untamed spirit of Ireland. Maybe your next travel destination?

Watch Ireland: Between Land and Sea on arte.tv

Also discover the most anticipated films of 2026 and our top picks from the new literary season.