  Observing the first galaxies formed during the reionisation epoch, i.e.
approximately within the first billion years after the Big Bang, remains one of
the challenges of contemporary astrophysics. Several efforts are being
undertaken to search for such remote objects. Combining the near-IR imaging
power of the VLT and the natural effect of strong gravitational lensing our
pilot program has allowed us to identify several galaxy candidates at redshift
6 <~ z <~ 10. The properties of these objects and the resulting constraints on
the star formation rate density at high redshift are discussed. Finally we
present the status of follow-up observations (ISAAC spectroscopy, HST and
Spitzer imaging) and discuss future developments.
