An extraordinary initiative in the Vosges
In the shadow of the Vosges mountains, an extraordinary initiative took root in 2023: an entirely volunteer-run travel agency, led by two couples of neighbours. Based in Épinal, Estivent is reinventing tourism by focusing on small groups, artisanal logistics and affordable rates. A formula that has already won over 200 travellers in three years, proving that collective adventure and the luxury of exchange are worth far more than standard comfort.
In brief
- Two neighbouring couples from Épinal launched Estivent, a volunteer travel agency, in 2023
- The agency organises trips for groups of up to 15 people, fostering social connections and bonds
- 200 travellers have already taken part in various getaways: yoga in the Vosges, hiking in Switzerland, or cycle touring on the Atlantic coast
- Operation relies on volunteering, with rates lower than those of traditional agencies
When retirement inspires a supportive project
The story of Estivent begins with a casual conversation over an aperitif. Pascale Martinelli, one of the founders, recalls: ‘My husband used to organise trips for his company before his retirement. With our neighbour Guy, they often talked about travel. Personally, I dreamed of cycling along the Atlantic coast. Guy then said to me: “What if you let others benefit from your project?”‘ From this spark, an agency unlike any other was born.
The story of an inspiring encounter
Guy Lacour, a former travel organiser in the non-profit sector, became its president. He explains: ‘We opted for a corporate structure with tourism registration and civil liability, but with a resolutely community-based operation. The goal? To offer convivial trips, where the travellers, often strangers to one another, become a group of friends by the end of the journey. Often, they continue to see each other afterwards.’
Destinations chosen for their collective soul
Estivent does not offer classic tourist tours, but experiences where the human element comes first. Destinations vary each year, but some return regularly. Yoga weekends in the Vosges, for example, attract groups in search of serenity. In 2025, the agency also organised sports outings in Switzerland, while cultural trips to Paris allowed visitors to discover the capital from an original angle.
Collective and authentic experiences
But the star of the catalogues remains, without a doubt, cycle touring along the Atlantic. Thierry Martinelli, one of the founders, handles the logistics: ‘The participants set off by bike, and I take care of their luggage. I bring lunch to the site every day. Personally, I don’t see anything of the trip!’ A highly precise organisation that allows travellers to fully enjoy the adventure without worrying about the details.
A newsletter that builds loyalty among a community of 400 subscribers
To reach new travellers, Estivent relies on an annual newsletter, distributed to 400 subscribers. Thierry Martinelli is the editor, and he details upcoming destinations, conditions of participation, and the behind-the-scenes workings of the agency. ‘It’s a real communication channel,’ he explains. ‘Many of our first clients come from this network. After that, word of mouth does the rest.’
The Estivent spirit: between business and conviviality
A model far from mass tourism
Unlike traditional agencies, Estivent does not seek to generate profits. Guy Lacour insists: ‘We have a corporate structure, but our heart beats for a community relationship. Rates are calculated to cover costs, not to enrich shareholders. This is what allows us to offer prices well below those of the market.’
The project appeals as much through its originality as its simplicity. No luxurious catalogues, no flashy mechanics. Just a promise: to live collective experiences on a human scale. And for now, it works. With nearly 200 convinced travellers in three years, the agency is already preparing its next getaways, always with the same philosophy: ‘We travel together, we share, and we leave with memories far more precious than a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower.’
A formula that inspires beyond the Vosges
Although the initiative is inspiring callings across France, the founders of Estivent choose to preserve the original spirit of their concept. This human and volunteer adventure will therefore continue to be written in the heart of the Vosges, in Épinal.
