Do you know many slow tourism events that stretch over 600 kilometers and last 13 days?
If the answer is no, let us introduce you to our event: Vers Pau en Mode Éco.
For the #ET20 event taking place at the Palais Beaumont in Pau, we’re challenging participants to travel to the event by bike. The goal? Reduce your carbon footprint and avoid individual car travel.
But this idea isn’t new… some of us already had it last year.
It all started over a casual chat when three Loopi colleagues—Rémy, Valentin, and Cyprien—challenged themselves to reach Pau by bike… in just 4 days! For obvious reasons, we’ve decided to slow the pace down this year.
Mais avant de plonger dans cette deuxième saison, faisons un retour sur les débuts de Vers Pau en Mode Éco et l’édition 2023 qui a dessiné les contours de ce que l’on souhaite pour cette année. Et qui de mieux que nos trois collègues un peu déjantés pour vous parler de cette première saison ?
The origin of the project
On a Monday morning in front of the coffee machine, most people are thinking about their workweek and how to make it more efficient. But our three colleagues? They were wondering how they could cover 600 kilometers in 4 days. Most of us would’ve skipped such a superhuman challenge—but they all agreed to take it on! Still, the real question we’re all asking is: why?
Rémy: “I have a real passion for bike travel. Doing this route in such a short time was a true challenge. I jumped into the adventure—and didn’t really give Fabien a choice!”
Valentin: “I hadn’t had the chance to get to know my two new colleagues yet, so this was the perfect opportunity! I’m used to bikepacking, but I’d never done it with others—so this experience really appealed to me.”
Cyprien: “Choosing to travel to the ET event in Pau by bike instead of by train or car reflected our deep commitment to sustainable mobility and the values Loopi stands for. For us, it was essential to lead by example and adopt eco-friendly modes of transport. Cycling not only helped us reduce our carbon footprint, but also offered an immersive and authentic experience. It was a unique opportunity to strengthen our team spirit and actively promote responsible tourism.”
The impact of this adventure
Alright… they each had solid reasons for taking on this challenge, but what did they actually get out of it? And did the experience live up to their expectations?
Rémy: “What did I get out of it? Massive calves! *laughs* And another road conquered by bike!”
Valentin: “We really broke the ice through this experience—it was a true team-building moment! Plus, what was just a passing thought in the back of my mind became real, and it totally challenged my preconceptions about bike travel.”
Cyprien: “Personally, it allowed me to push my physical limits and discover the beauty of our region’s landscapes in a whole new way. Professionally, it strengthened the bond with my colleagues—creating a stronger team dynamic and a new sense of connection. Finally, this adventure gave me a sense of accomplishment and renewed motivation to promote Loopi’s values.”
We agree with them on one thing: there’s probably no better team-building experience than spending several days on bike paths with your colleagues—sharing great moments, making new connections, and facing a few challenges too. So, to better understand the behind-the-scenes of this event, we asked them to share the most memorable moment from that first edition.
Rémy: “The village of Mortagne-sur-Gironde remains one of my most unforgettable memories! At the end of the first stage, arriving at the port was incredible and the atmosphere was truly unique. The guesthouse was amazing, with wonderful people. We had dinner at a restaurant on the port, alone on the terrace. The waitress had a great sense of humor—which is always a plus after a day on the bike—and the food was excellent. After a good night’s sleep, we met the only vintage pinball repairman in France, surrounded by dozens of machines, each one more beautiful than the last. We set off again under a blazing sun, with a wine tasting as the cherry on top.”
Valentin: “Meeting our partner La Bulle Verte was a highlight—we were able to share our experiences and thoughts around responsible positioning, which was really insightful! This encounter happened right after a visit to a local wine area with regional producers—such a great discovery! Overall, the bike journey allowed us to explore so many places I probably would’ve never seen otherwise.”
Cyprien: “That’s a tough question—because there wasn’t one moment that stood out more than the rest… What stays with me is the adventure itself and the bonds we built along the way! Honestly, it’s not something I would’ve done alone. And that’s what mattered most. Sure, there was the eco-conscious mindset, the stunning landscapes, and the people we met—but above all, it was the journey itself. It’s always the little hiccups and tougher moments that leave the biggest impact. But don’t worry, for the next adventure, we’re aiming for something more accessible and collaborative—so that everyone can join in at their own pace and share meaningful moments together.””
It’s true—we’re kind of relieved not to have to keep up with the 600-kilometer pace over 4 days. 13 days of adventure sounds much more reasonable… and we’re almost tempted to join you this year!
Why are we doing it again?
That’s exactly what this second edition is all about! Inviting all tourism enthusiasts heading to #ET who want to support sustainable mobility to join a 600-kilometer travel event. And really—what better way to arrive at #ET20 than being able to say you were part of this one-of-a-kind adventure? Even last year, our three colleagues got great feedback at #ET19…
Rémy: “We got amazing feedback—but it was more about the sporting challenge than the environmental impact. Still, this adventure really inspired a lot of people at the event.”
Valentin: “People were impressed and thought it was an ‘impossible’ experience—which isn’t true. Anyone can do it, without necessarily stepping too far out of their comfort zone. And that’s exactly what we want to promote this year!”
Cyprien: “Most of the feedback we received was praise for completing the journey in such a short time—for the initiative and the commitment.”
It’s true—hearing that kind of feedback when arriving at #ET20 is definitely motivating… To give us that final push, we asked our cyclists for one last word to anyone thinking about joining the ride this year.
Rémy: “Going on a bike trip—whether it’s for 2 days or 12—is always an adventure. Loopi gives you a chance to experience that by helping you discover places and people you’d probably never encounter by car or train. Cycling reconnects humans with nature, so let’s take this journey together—slowly, and mindfully, toward that reconnection.”
Valentin: “Challenge your assumptions—Vers Pau en Mode Éco will be an amazing experience, no matter your level!”
Cyprien: “To everyone considering joining Vers Pau en Mode Éco in 2024, I strongly encourage you to come along. This year, we’re taking the time to fully enjoy the experience by extending the journey to 13 days, with shorter stages. It’s a unique opportunity to live a meaningful adventure with your colleagues, engage in conversations about the future of tourism, and do it all in a positive, shared atmosphere. Whether you’re ready to take on the full journey or just join for a few stages, you’ll get to take part in talks, activities, and create unforgettable memories. Don’t miss this chance to experience something different and inspiring!”
As for me, they’ve all convinced me to join them this year—time to go warm up!
Et vous ?
To learn more about our unique event Vers Pau en Mode Éco, check out our dedicated page.
