Coquelinou, the Little Black Grouse: The Nature Podcast for Kids to Listen to as a Family in Serre Chevalier
He lives up in the hills. He has black feathers with a bluish sheen, a lyre-shaped tail, and quite a temper.
This is Coquelinou, the little black grouse of the Écrins National Park—and he’s about to set off on his very first solo adventure.
"The Wild Adventures of Coquelinou " is an 8-episode children’s podcast produced by Valérie Dauchy-Demoulin.
Written as an interactive story, it takes children—and their parents—along the mountain trails that you might be exploring yourselves this winter on snowshoes or this summer on a hike.
Who is the black grouse, this unassuming inhabitant of our mountains?
Before following Coquelinou on his adventures, a little background is in order. The black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) is a large mountain gallinaceous bird.
The male is recognizable by his bluish-black plumage, red eyebrows, and lyre-shaped tail—a very distinctive feature. The female, on the other hand, is much more inconspicuous with her speckled brown plumage.
In Serre Chevalier, it inhabits high-altitude heathlands, forest edges, and alpine pastures between 1,500 and 2,500 meters.
It is a sensitive species, particularly vulnerable to disturbance in winter. Respecting the marked quiet zones helps ensure its survival until spring.
In the podcast, the voice of the oldest fairy of the black grouse guides Coquelinou—and, through him, the children—toward a better understanding of their mountain neighbors.
Episode 1 — Coquelinou Does Whatever He Wants (5 min)
It all starts with a moment of disobedience. Coquelinou sets off on his own, against his mother’s advice.
Episode 2 — Crystal Hen Has Magical Powers (5 min)
The old fairy appears. She will be the central figure throughout the entire series.
Episode 3 — Crystal Chicken Will Watch Over Coquelinou (6 min)
The fairy confirms her mission. The adventure can truly begin.
Episode 4 — Coquelinou and the Two White Rags (6 min)
A mysterious first encounter. It’s up to you to guess which animal it is.
Episode 5 — Coquelinou and the All-White Ball (6 min)
A white silhouette in the snow. A mountain hare? A sleeping marmot? The kids vote.
Episode 6 — Coquelinou and the Webbed Giants (6 min)
Strange footprints in the snow… Could they be from snowshoers?
Episode 7 — Coquelinou Chased by Kousca (7 min)
The predator enters the scene. Is it a golden eagle? The tension mounts.
Episode 8 — Coquelinou Shows Off Too Much (9 min)
The grand finale. Coquelinou discovers love—and perhaps a little more wisdom.
Why listen to this podcast in Serre Chevalier?
Because Coquelinou isn’t a fictional character who came out of nowhere. He’s a real inhabitant of our mountains. The black grouse, the marmot, the roe deer, the snow hare, and the golden eagle: all these animals live in the Écrins National Park and on the slopes of Serre Chevalier.
This podcast works in two stages. At home or in the car before heading out, it prepares children to observe, look for tracks, and look up. Then, out in the field, the connection to reality becomes tangible: a footprint in the snow takes on a whole new meaning when you’ve heard about Coquelinou’s adventures the day before.
The illustrations by Nolwenn Gaillard bring these animals to life. The sketches can be used alongside the podcast for younger children who need visual cues.
What is the recommended age?
The series is suitable for children ages 4–5 and up. The interactive format—where children are asked to guess before the answer is revealed—keeps even the youngest viewers engaged. Episodes last between 5 and 9 minutes: the perfect length for a gondola ride, a car trip between two towns, or while getting ready for a day of skiing.