Meet Clotaire

Venturing alone from her home in north-western France Clotaire is a French long-term traveler, born in France and raised somewhere between Paris and Belgium. It’s far from the typical postcard image of the country, some might even describe the area as bleak. But he grew up surrounded by remarkable people and meaningful experiences.

At some point, however, books and documentaries were no longer enough. Living in such an environment, he felt a growing need to experience the world firsthand rather than simply read about it. As far back as he can remember, he had always wanted to travel. What once seemed like an unrealistic childhood dream gradually became a guiding principle: to build a life centered around owning little, wanting little, but dreaming boldly and far. A minimalist lifestyle, in his eyes, was the path to the greatest return: happiness.

He went on to study nursing and later settled in Grenoble, France, where he enjoyed the comfort and beauty of the region. Yet even there, beyond the mountains, he felt the pull of something greater - distant horizons waiting to be explored. He soon developed a rhythm: working, saving money, then leaving whenever the urge arose. He would spend everything on travel, return to work, and repeat the cycle for years. Eventually, he felt ready for a longer, more ambitious journey around the world

His initial plan was to explore Europe and Africa, but once he reached Cape Town, he realized he couldn’t imagine doing anything other than continuing to explore. From there, he flew to Asia and began cycling across the continent, later continuing through New Zealand and Australia. Afterward, he returned to Asia to keep the adventure going. When the time felt right, he flew to Alaska and began a journey from the very top of the Americas, cycling all the way down to Ushuaia, Chile.

This way of life has brought him to the present moment. It has now been nearly eight years, and he feels no desire to stop. His next plan is a symbolic one: a final ride from Japan to France, closing a chapter after ten years away from his home country.

And after that, who knows? Most likely, Clotaire will set off once again. After all, he still can’t imagine doing anything else.