# Once Upon a Time... The Explorers (1996)

> A French animated series that uses a cast of cartoon characters to guide young viewers through the stories of world explorers.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/4003

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 26
- Episode runtime: 26 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, family, documentary
- Created by: Albert Barillé
- Network: Canal+
- Cast: Roger Carel, Olivier Destrez, Hélène Levesque, Patrick Préjean, Daniel Beretta
- TMDB rating: 7.5/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0284738/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: none
- Tone: whimsical, warm, curious, gently instructive

## Synopsis

Il était une fois... les Explorateurs (1996-1997) is a French animated educational series created by Albert Barillé and produced by Procidis for Canal+. Its principal characters are the cartoon guide Maestro, voiced by Roger Carel, and the young companions Pierrot, voiced by Olivier Destrez, and Pierrette, voiced by Hélène Levesque, who travel through the stories of world explorers. Patrick Préjean voices Le Nabot and Daniel Beretta voices Le Gros and Le Teigneux. Across one season of twenty-six episodes, each half hour follows the drive of an explorer to cross unknown seas and lands, with the obstacles of weather, distance, and doubt shown through hand drawn sequences. The format is a family friendly documentary animation rather than a continuing drama, so each episode stands on its own while building a broader picture of discovery. The tone is warm, curious, and gently instructive, with a sense of wonder about maps, ships, and new worlds. Fans of Once Upon a Time... Man and Once Upon a Time... Life will find the same blend of animated storytelling and factual history here, and families looking for a learning cartoon will recognise its appeal.

## Shows like Once Upon a Time... The Explorers

- [Dragon Hunters (2006)](https://ember.film/tv/4427)
- [Les Contes de la rue Broca (1996)](https://ember.film/tv/63943)
- [Once Upon a Time... Life (1987)](https://ember.film/tv/2500)
- [The Long, Long Holiday (2015)](https://ember.film/tv/61524)
- [Minuscule: The Private Life of Insects (2006)](https://ember.film/tv/14791)
- [Great Greek Myths (2016)](https://ember.film/tv/59969)
- [Little Einsteins (2005)](https://ember.film/tv/2937)
- [Once Upon a Time… Man (1978)](https://ember.film/tv/5719)
- [The Adventures of Tintin (1991)](https://ember.film/tv/1479)
- [Simsala Grimm (1999)](https://ember.film/tv/37846)

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