Ghislain Bardout

About Ghislain Bardout

Mechanical engineer specialized in energy, Ghislain Bardout graduated from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. In recent years, he has embarked on a path of adventure and underwater exploration in polar regions. Drawn to the sea and the mountains, he first developed a passion for climbing and then for scuba diving. His enthusiasm for this activity quickly led him to teach and diversify his skills in both technical and professional diving.

During his studies, he worked closely as a logistics coordinator and technical manager for Jean-Louis Etienne. It was in this capacity that in April 2007, he organized a diving campaign at the North Pole, involving an underwater robot and six divers. He then conceived a project for underwater exploration aimed at creating a unique photographic and cinematic report on the underwater world of the ice pack, in the most representative and comprehensive way possible: the expedition “Deepsea Under The Pole by Rolex.” During the planning of this modern adventure, he became an entrepreneur to realize his dream.

In the spring of 2010, after three years of preparation, he was dropped off with seven teammates and a husky at the end of the polar night, 76 km from the pole. After a 45-day journey on the ice pack, challenging for both the men and the equipment, and 51 dives in extreme conditions, the adventure – a first – concluded with remarkable success. It yielded unique and spectacular images of the underwater ice pack, which traveled around the world, showcasing a dream world in peril due to climate change.

The expedition resulted in the film “On a marché sous le pôle” which has been broadcast worldwide, particularly on France 3 – Thalassa, France 5, and National Geographic Channel. It has been awarded 12 prizes including best adventure film, best polar film, best underwater film, and the National Geographic award. A 256-page book published by Éditions du Chêne under the title “On a marché sous le pôle” recounts the preparation and unfolding of the expedition, alternating between narrative and photos.

Ghislain Bardout offers to share his experience of expeditions through conferences aimed at the corporate world. Driven by passion and contagious enthusiasm, he recounts the behind-the-scenes of major exploration projects. Supported by extraordinary images brought back from the “Deepsea Under The Pole” expedition he led in 2010, he immerses you in the heart of an adventure that is technically, physically, and humanly engaging. His narrative transports the mind into a universe that is both fascinating and extreme. However, the analysis and decryption of the multiple facets of an expedition reveal many connections with the corporate world.