Lords of the Ocean, an adventure that challenges preconceptions about sharks

Alumni

For over five years, the Lords of the Ocean team—founded by two ENSTA graduates—has been crisscrossing the seas in search of large sharks. They dive to help us understand them better, combat our preconceptions, and protect them more effectively. In 2026, they presented their documentary "Pélerinhâge in Scotland" at numerous French and international festivals.

From the School Benches to the Sharks of the Bahamas

Jérôme Bourdillon and Benjamin Lair are both ENSTA graduates. After several years in their respective careers—one as a hydrographer and the other as a naval architect—the two friends decided to quit their jobs to pursue one of their dreams.

“We wanted to swim with the world’s largest sharks to prove that they aren’t the man-eaters people try to make them out to be, and to take action to protect them.”

Jérôme Bourdillon ENSTA graduate, co-founder of the Lords of the Ocean project

On this sailing journey lasting over six months, they were joined by Armel Ruy, a filmmaker from Brest specializing in wildlife documentaries, and Cyrielle Houard, a diving instructor. Over the course of 9,000 miles, the “Lords of the Ocean” team encountered 13 different species of sharks: bull sharks, tiger sharks, thresher sharks… Species reputed to be dangerous, yet the four friends dived with them in complete calm.

To raise awareness of their adventure and spread their message, they produced a documentary as well as an 8-episode web series available on YouTube. And very quickly, this first experience made them want to continue.

In Search of Sharks Along the French Coast

© Lords of the Ocean

Back in the professional world—Jérôme as a freelance Senior Surveyor and Benjamin as an Engineer at Naval Group—they’re preparing for Season 2 and planning their trips during their vacations.

"With Season 1, we tried to dispel fears by showing that the largest sharks have a completely undeserved bad reputation. For this Season 2 of Lords of the Ocean, we sought out sharks along our coasts to demonstrate that, once again, we had nothing to fear and to inspire a desire to protect them."

Thanks to the strong bonds formed during Season 1, the collective project continues as a natural progression. In 2021, the first crossings began from Brest to Scotland in search of the basking shark, a reclusive species that fears humans and is therefore difficult to identify.
 

"We had to wait until 2023 to find our first basking sharks near Scotland, but in the meantime we made a wonderful discovery: a gathering of several hundred porbeagle sharks, a species classified as critically endangered by the IUCN."

This discovery prompted them to take their time before publicizing their project. The Lords of the Ocean team contacted scientists and worked to have the area designated a sanctuary, all while continuing their expeditions.

Benjamin et Jérôme en excursion depuis un voilier
© Lords of the Ocean

Little by little, the footage they gathered allowed them to edit the Season 2 documentary. In 2025, during a chance encounter between Armel and Guillaume Meurice, the socially conscious comedian offered to lend his voice to the documentary and invited his sidekick Aymeric Lompret to participate.

Pélerinhâge in Scotland, a documentary to be released in 2026

"We’ve presented the documentary ‘Pélerinhâge in Scotland’ at numerous festivals, and so far, the reception has been extremely positive—it’s been selected everywhere!"

While waiting to see the film on a major streaming platform, you can catch it at one of many film festivals, such as the What A Trip festival in Montpellier in late June, Lumexplore in September in La Ciotat, Le Grand Bivouac in October in Albertville, the FIFAV in La Rochelle in mid-November, Into the Blue in November at Wolubilis in Belgium, … and for those in Brittany, see you on June 19 at 7:00 PM at the Cinéma Liberté in Brest!

© Lords of the Ocean
Synopsis

Four friends from the Lords of the Ocean collective set sail from Brest to Scotland in an attempt to get close to the basking shark, a discreet and endangered giant. For over three years, they battle the weather, uncertainties, and setbacks during a maritime quest as demanding as it is unpredictable. Blending humor, adventure, and environmental commitment, the film challenges our view of sharks and reveals the fragility of the ocean world.

To learn more, follow their adventure at

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