A Breath of Fresh Air: “Passe-moi les jumelles” Offers a Unique Escape on Swiss Television
In a media landscape often dominated by quick-paced content, one Swiss television program is deliberately slowing things down. “Passe-moi les jumelles” (“Hand me the binoculars”), a program on RTS, is gaining attention for its commitment to thoughtful storytelling and a focus on human connection. The show distinguishes itself as the sole program on Swiss Television that prioritizes taking its time, offering a counter-narrative to the relentless demands of modern life.
The program, described as an “escape” show, centers around two reports per episode, emphasizing encounters and a return to a more deliberate pace. It’s a space where silence and emotion are given room to breathe, offering viewers a “monthly oxygen boost” as described by the show’s producers. This approach resonates with audiences seeking respite from the constant stimulation of the internet and daily routines.
Recent episodes have showcased a diverse range of subjects. On December 12, 2025, an episode featured Matthieu Fournier discovering birds on Lake Geneva, alongside a portrait of 86-year-classic Flory Lambelet and an interview with light artist Michael Ventura. Prior to that, on December 5, 2025, the show explored the Priorat wine region in Catalonia, connecting it to ornithological research in the Val d’Illiez, Switzerland. The November 28, 2025 episode took viewers into the vineyards of Geneva to observe starling murmurations, featuring an interview with a skilled craftswoman and the keeper of the Dôle station in the Jura mountains.
On November 21, 2025, “Passe-moi les jumelles” ventured into the Valais region to explore the world of the bearded vulture with ornithologist Julia Wildi, before transporting viewers to the ethereal landscapes of the Arctic with illustrator Lauriane Miara. The show’s ability to seamlessly blend local stories with broader, international themes is a key element of its appeal.
The program’s creator, Paju, intentionally positions “Passe-moi les jumelles” as an antidote to the “tyranny of daily life” and the “frenetic agitation of the web,” choosing instead to simply “take the air of time.” This philosophy has clearly struck a chord with viewers, establishing the show as a unique and valued offering within the Swiss television landscape.
You can find more information about “Passe-moi les jumelles” on RTS’s website, view videos on YouTube and listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts.
