France 3 Commissions Men of Honour Adaptation

France 3 has commissioned a local adaptation of the Banijay Belgium format Men of Honour, to be produced by Endemol France’s Puzzle Media.

The French version, titled Les Héros du Gazon, will spotlight the 40-year-old AS Fontenay-le-Vicomte football club, which is struggling to keep its position in its division and avoid relegation. After a disastrous season, the eight-part series will document the team’s journey as it welcomes a new head coach, former professional player Pascal Dupraz, known for his experience coaching Ligue 1 teams.

Dupraz will put the players through rigorous physical and technical training exercises in a bid to avoid relegation.

Puzzle Media, which is producing the local iteration, joined Endemol France last year with the aim of expanding its sports offering. It has already grown to be the first French production company to deliver action and broad sports content in high volume, with a slate that includes Riding Zone, which made a return this year to coincide with the Paris Olympic Games.

“Our mission is to bring compelling stories of human endurance and passion to the forefront,” said Jonathan Politur, founder and producer at Puzzle Media. “With Men of Honour, our goal was to capture the thrilling world of football but also inspire viewers by showcasing the resilience and determination of the AS Fontenay-le-Vicomte club. We hope this series will resonate with audiences and cultivate a greater appreciation for the sport and its players.”