Who is Nicolas Vanier? | A Polar Explorer & Experienced Musher
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Nicolas Vanier is a French explorer, writer, and documentary filmmaker who has dedicated his career to exploring and highlighting the beauty of the natural world. With a passion for adventure and a deep love of nature, Vanier has traveled to some of the most remote and rugged corners of the planet, documenting his experiences and sharing them with audiences around the world.
Born in Dakar in 1962, Vanier grew up with a strong connection to the outdoors and a fascination with wildlife. He spent much of his childhood exploring the forests and fields near his home, and developed a deep love of animals at an early age. After completing his studies, Vanier set out on a series of epic journeys that would take him across the globe and introduce him to some of the most stunning landscapes on earth.
Vanier's adventures have taken him to various continents, and he has braved some of the most extreme conditions imaginable in the pursuit of his passions. He has traversed the frozen tundra in his quest to explore the world and share its beauty with others. Along the way, he has encountered countless fascinating people and experienced a wide range of cultures, all of which have added depth and richness to his work.
Through his writing and filmmaking, Vanier has brought the beauty and wonder of the natural world to millions of people around the world. His books, films, and television documentaries have inspired countless others to seek out adventure and explore the wonders of the earth for themselves.
In this article, we will delve into the life and career of Nicolas Vanier, exploring the many adventures he has embarked on and the impact he has had on the world of exploration and conservation. From his early years to his epic journeys across the globe, we will chart the course of Vanier's incredible life and discover the passions that drive him to push the boundaries of what is possible.
I. Early Days
Nicolas Vanier was born in Dakar, Senegal in 1962, the youngest of four siblings. From an early age, he was drawn to the outdoors and spent much of his childhood exploring the forests and fields near his home in Sologne, France. His love of nature was nurtured by his grand-father, avid nature enthusiast and instilled in him a deep appreciation for the beauty and wonders of the natural world. However, Nicolas had no history of adventuring in his family. His attraction for adventure, he described it himself as "an obviousness, an attraction, since always".
Vanier's parents were both well-educated and had a strong interest in history, literature, and the arts. They fostered this love of learning in their children and encouraged them to explore their interests and passions. For Vanier, this meant spending countless hours outside, observing and studying the animals and plants he encountered. He became an avid reader, devouring books about wildlife and adventure, diving into the adventures of Jack London, Paul-Émile Victor or Ernest Shackleton and dreamed of one day embarking on his own epic journeys.
📷 Credit: Ushuaïa TV Youtube Channel
As he grew older, Vanier's interest in nature and adventure only deepened. He was an active and athletic child, and enjoyed participating in a variety of outdoor sports and activities. He was also an avid scout, and spent many happy hours exploring the countryside with his friends. These early experiences in the outdoors had a profound impact on his later career, and he credits his parents with instilling in him a deep love and respect for nature.
At 17, he decided to take a train from Paris to the last station beyond the Arctic Circle, in Kiruna, Lapland. He then set out to discover the Great North that he so coveted, to meet reindeer herders. He continued his immersion in native cultures the following summer by traveling to Canada, where the Indians built him a canoe to cross the peninsula of New Labrador.
Overall, Vanier's background and childhood were marked by a deep love of nature and a strong desire to explore the world, especially the "Great North". These passions would shape the course of his later career and lead him on some of the most exciting and rewarding adventures of his life.
II. Career
Nicolas Vanier's professional journey has been one of exploration, adventure, and a deep love of the natural world. From his earliest days as a writer and filmmaker, Vanier has been driven by a desire to document and share the beauty of the earth with others.
He traveled to some of the most remote and rugged corners of the earth, documenting his experiences and sharing them with audiences around the world. His work took him to various continent, and he braved some of the most extreme conditions imaginable in the pursuit of his passions.
He first crossed Lapland on foot in 1982, then the Great North of Quebec in a kayak in 1983 before switching to dog sleds for his crossing of New-Quebec Labrador. Vanier then tackled the Rockies and Alaska in 1986-87 before changing continents and undertaking a long odyssey in 1990-91, crossing Siberia, from Mongolia to the Arctic Ocean, over 7000 km. He repeated this effort a few years later, this time over 8600 km during the "White Odyssey", crossing the North American continent with sled dogs, from Alaska to Quebec in less than 100 days.
10 years later, in 2005-2006, still guided by the call of adventure, he undertook the "Siberian Odyssey" and its 8000 km across Siberia, from Irkutsk to Moscow with his team of 10 dogs. It will take him 4 months to complete his journey. Finally, almost a decade later, in 2013-2014, he embarked once again on a long crossing by sled from eastern Siberia to Lake Baikal, his previous starting point. This crossing will give birth to the film "The Wild Odyssey" released the same year
📷 Credit: M6 Video (SND)Youtube Channel
Vanier is known for his love of dogs, and many of his adventures have featured these loyal and hardworking animals. He has trained and worked with a variety of breeds, including Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and Greenland Dogs, and has used them to explore some of the most challenging and remote environments on earth.
Throughout his career, Vanier has received numerous awards and accolades for his work. In addition to his successful books and films, he has also been recognized for his contributions to conservation and environmentalism. He has been honored with a number of prestigious awards, including the French Academy of Fine Arts Prize for Adventure Writing and the French Order of Merit.
Vanier's work has evolved over time, and he has tackled a wide range of subjects and themes throughout his career. However, one constant has been his love of nature and his desire to explore and document the beauty of the earth. Vanier's work is a testament to the enduring power of the natural world and the human spirit.
Nicolas Vanier's documentaries:
- 1985 : Coureur des bois
- 1988 : Caravane
- 1988 : Rivières ouverte
- 1988 : Partage des eaux
- 1989 : La course des trappeurs au Labrador
- 1997 : Un hiver de chiens
- 2006 : Chiens des neiges
- 2007 : Grande Odyssée 2007
- 2013 : La dernière meute
Nicolas Vanier's films:
- 1993 : Au nord de l'hiver
- 1995 : L'Enfant des neiges
- 1999 : L'Odyssée blanche
- 2004 : Le Dernier Trappeu
- 2008 : Lou
- 2013 : Belle et Sébastien
- 2014 : L'Odyssée sauvage
- 2017 : L'École buissonnière
- 2019 : Donne-moi des ailes
- 2020 : Poly
- 2022 : Champagne !
Nicolas Vanier's books:
- 1988 : Le Triathlon historique
- 1988 : Solitude nord
- 1992 : Transsibérie, le mythe sauvage
- 1993 : La Vie en nord
- 1994 : Solitudes blanche
- 1994 : Otchum, chef de meute
- 1995 : L'Enfant des neiges
- 1997 : Un hiver
- 1997 : Nord
- 1997 : Robinson du froid
- 1998 : Le Grand Brâme
- 1998 : Destin Nord
- 1998 : Territoire
- 1998 : Taïga
- 1999 : L'Odyssée blanche
- 2000 : C'est encore loin l'Alaska...
- 2001 : Le Chant du Grand Nord
- 2003 : Le Voyageur du froid
- 2004 : L'Or sous la neige
- 2004 : Le Dernier Trappeur
- 2006 : L'Odyssée sibérienne
- 2007 : Mémoires glacées
- 2008 : Loup
- 2011 : L'Or sous la neige
- 2011 : La Passion du Grand Nord
- 2011 : Tome 1 - Mohawks et les Peuples d'en haut
- 2012 : Tome 2 - La Quête de Mohawks
- 2013 : Belle et Sébastien
- 2014 : Avec mes chiens
- 2015 : La Grande Course
- 2016 : Les Pieds sur terre
- 2017 : L'École buissonnière
- 2019 : Donne-moi des ailes
- 2020 : Poly
III. Personal Life
In addition to his career as an explorer and documentarian, Nicolas Vanier has had a rich and varied personal life. He has enjoyed a number of close relationships and has had a number of memorable experiences outside of his professional work.
Vanier is married and has four children, three daughters and a son. He and his wife have been together for many years and have a strong and supportive relationship. Vanier is known to be a devoted husband and father, and values his family above all else. In fact, his wife and children often accompany him on his adventures and have participated in several of his expeditions.
In his free time, Vanier enjoys a variety of hobbies and interests. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time in nature, whether it be hiking, camping, or simply exploring the countryside. He is also a talented musician and enjoys playing a variety of instruments, including the guitar and the piano. In fact, music has always been a passion of Vanier's, and he often incorporates it into his adventures by playing his guitar around the campfire or singing traditional songs with the indigenous people he meets on his travels.
Vanier is also an animal lover and has a number of pets, including dogs, cats, and birds. He has a particular fondness for dogs and has worked with a variety of breeds throughout his career. In addition to his pets, Vanier is also involved in a number of animal welfare organizations and works to support the humane treatment of animals. He is a strong advocate for conservation and the protection of wildlife, and often uses his platform to raise awareness about these issues.
After his numerous sledding expeditions, Nicolas started in the field of dog sled racing. Three times, in 1996, 2003 and 2015, he took part in the famous Yukon Quest, a 1600 km race through the Canadian north and Alaska. He finished two of the three races, in 13th and 9th place. In 2017, he repeated the experience on another route, the Iditarod over 1700 km in Alaska. This race will mark the end of his career as a musher, finishing the race in 36th position.
📷 Credit: Paris Match Youtube Channel
Vanier's personal life is characterized by his love of adventure, his deep connection to nature, and his strong relationships with those he holds dear. These passions and values have been a constant throughout his life and have helped to shape the person he is today. Whether he is braving the elements on an epic expedition or simply enjoying a quiet moment with his family, Vanier's life is defined by his love of the natural world and his desire to share it with others.
Conclusion
Nicolas Vanier is a French explorer, writer, and documentary filmmaker who has dedicated his career to exploring and highlighting the beauty of the natural world. With a passion for adventure and a deep love of nature, Vanier has traveled to some of the most remote and rugged corners of the planet, documenting his experiences and sharing them with audiences around the world.
Through his writing and filmmaking, he has brought the beauty and wonder of the natural world to millions of people around the world. His books, films, and television shows have inspired countless others to seek out adventure and explore the wonders of the earth for themselves.
Vanier's contributions and impact have been significant. He has inspired others to explore and appreciate the natural world, and his work has helped to raise awareness about important issues such as conservation and animal welfare. His enduring love of nature and adventure serves as a reminder of the beauty and wonder that exists in the world around us, and his legacy will be felt for years to come.
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Image credit:
1- Nicolas Vanier, explorateur,11 novembre 2011, Own work, Choubruxelles (CC BY-SA 4.0)
2- Photo du camp de Nicolas Vanier à Vassieux-en-Vercors, 28 June 2013, Own work, Choubruxelles (CC BY-SA 4.0)
3- Avant-première du film "L'école buissonnière" : François Cluzet, Jean Scandel, Nicolas Vanier, François Berléand, Éric Elmosnino,1 October 2017, Own work, Georges Biard (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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1 comment
grand bonhomme ce Nicolas Vanier c’est un exemple pour toutes les générations ! De plus il vit en Sologne notre région de prédilection.
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