Do you want to get away from it all? Do you want to rediscover the taste of the outdoors, of paths with no finish line and of the silence you only hear up there, at altitude?
This selection is for you.
The team shares its 5 favorites with you. Works that make you want to put on your hiking boots , close the door behind you, and follow in the footsteps of those who dared to leave. Sometimes far away. Sometimes close by. But always intensely.
01. “Fill their eyes: So that they remember the beauty of the world” - Edith Lemay
The story
Edith and Sébastien have four children. One day, the diagnosis is made: three of them have retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease that will gradually make them blind. There's no treatment, no cure, but one thing is certain: time is running out.
So they decide to fill this time with images, colors, and wonders. Before darkness falls, they embark Mia, Léo, Colin, and Laurent on an unforgettable world tour. Namibia, Mongolia, Indonesia, Egypt, the Amazon...
An adventure lasting more than a year to offer them what life risks taking away from them: the beauty of the world.
Why we loved it
It's an ode to the urgency of living. To tenderness, to nature, to transmission. It speaks as much of love as of adventure. We come away a little overwhelmed and a lot inspired. An extraordinary family adventure, both intimate and universal.
Also available as a documentary on Disney+
02. “The Diagonal of Emptiness, an Exotic Journey to France” - Mathieu Mollet
The story
Can you experience an exotic adventure without leaving France? Mathieu Mouillet answers with a bold challenge: to cross on foot, for 18 months, the famous “diagonal of emptiness,” this imaginary axis that connects the least populated departments of the country.
From the Ardennes to the Basque Country, it travels at 4 km/h, off the beaten track, to explore what are said to be abandoned, forgotten areas with nothing to see.
But he finds the complete opposite there: passionate residents, deep-rooted stories, concrete projects and an unsuspected vitality.
Why we loved it
Because adventure doesn't always begin at the airport. This book shatters the clichés about rural France and inspires a desire to rediscover our lands, at first glance.
It is also a story of personal transformation, driven by a contagious energy. We close the book with the desire to go and see for ourselves “where there is nothing to see.”
03. “In search of Europe, a walk to discover our landscapes” - Marie and Arnaud Epagneau-Comte
The story
Architects and geographers by training, Marie and Arnaud decided to cross Europe on foot. 4,500 kilometers, 17 countries, a slow walk to reconnect with the ground, the long term, and meaning. Tired of stop-and-go travel and snapshots, they wanted to place their bodies back at the heart of the landscape, to truly experience what we only skim over.
From the wonder of a sunrise to icy nights, from unexpected encounters to haunted silences, they give voice to the territories and those who inhabit them. A journey as physical as it is philosophical, to rediscover the chance to live on a continent as rich, diverse, and profoundly human.
Why we loved it
A plea for simplicity and wonder. The story touches the mind as much as the heart, and inspires us to rethink the way we travel and inhabit the world.
04. “Wild” - Nick Hornby
The story
Cheryl Strayed has hit rock bottom. Addictions, drifting, brokenness... Her life is shattered after her mother's death. So, without any training or real preparation, she grabs her backpack, laces up her hiking boots, and sets off alone on the Pacific Crest Trail. A 1,700-kilometer trek from the Mojave Desert to Oregon, in an attempt to rebuild her life.
Why we loved it
Far from the clichés about self-improvement, the film tells Cheryl's (true!) story with honesty and accuracy. We believe it. We are there. And we come out of it changed.
PS: With a stunning performance from Reese Witherspoon.
05. “Resilience, giving up is not an option” - Loury Lag
The story
Loury Lag is known for his extreme expeditions, going where few venture. But this time, he's not alone. In Resilience, he recounts the extraordinary adventure he experienced alongside Martin Petit, a former athlete who became a quadriplegic. Together, they crossed deserts, climbed peaks, and braved the elements.
From the Sahara to the Alps, via the Atlantic, their challenge is clear: to prove that disability does not prevent daring or achievement. A human adventure guided by mutual aid, freedom, and a fierce desire to push boundaries.
Why we loved it
It's a book that shakes you up, inspires you, and sets the record straight. The sublime photos don't diminish the harshness of the journey, but rather make it more tangible. A powerful tribute to those who refuse to be told "it's impossible."
What if it was your turn?
No need to drop everything to get started. The adventure can begin in the woods, on a family trail, or simply with a desire to see the world differently.
If these stories have given you ants in your pants, we still have something to feed your desire to escape.
➜ Bucket list: 100 outdoor experiences to have once in your life
➜ The 5 best getaways for a family weekend
➜ Slow tourism: 5 ideas to reconnect with nature
