Where are you from?

We are from France.

When did you start your interest in exploration?

As long as I can remember, my first interest in exploration began when I was five years old. I went to the airport to pick up my uncle, who was coming back after spending a few months in Australia. From that moment on, I dreamed of exploring this country one day.

Then, when I was seven, my parents bought an old campervan. We travelled for four weeks across France and Spain during the summer. Even though we encountered mechanical problems along the way, I absolutely loved that trip and made memories that will last forever.

When Fanny was younger, she traveled to Senegal with her parents, which likely sparked her love for adventure even if she’s not entirely sure where it comes from. She has always dreamed of traveling abroad in a van and living on the road. 

What is a brief understanding of your background story up until you started seeking adventure?

I grew up in Tours, about two hours from Paris. Later, I moved to Paris to study mechanical engineering. As a true car enthusiast, I had dreamed since childhood of working in the automotive industry, and I completed a three-year internship at Renault. However, I eventually realized it wasn’t what I had expected. After graduating, I chose a different path and decided to start traveling.

Fanny grew up in the suburbs of Paris. She holds a Master’s degree in Tourism and, during her studies, worked as an English-speaking guide in the Roquefort caves. She later worked in the tourism industry prior to Covid-19. She then took on a fully remote position at a banking start-up in Paris while waiting for our journey to begin.

What special skills do you have to help with your explorations?

I’ve got mechanical skills, I built the rig myself and take care of all the vehicle’s maintenance. As an engineer, I’m comfortable working with numbers and managing the budget. I also spend a lot of time on maps planning future routes and trips.

Fanny has strong language skills and even teaches French online to earn some money during our travels. She has a very outgoing personality and easily connects with people along the way.

Where have you explored so far?

Together : French Alps, Spain, Iceland, Morocco, Portugal, Mongolia, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile 

What is a brief understanding of your adventures so far?

In 2015, I travelled from Paris to Istanbul by train, and in 2016, I explored Thailand by motorcycle. Between 2018 and 2020, I went backpacking across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan. I also spent time in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, where I discovered overlanding with my Jeep. Just before COVID, I travelled through Vietnam by motorcycle for two months.

Fanny took part in several language trips to Ireland, Italy, and New York. She also worked as a monitor on international summer camps for teenagers in England and Ireland, and later travelled through Montenegro and Croatia.

Even before COVID, I already had the idea of a South American road trip in mind. A few months into our relationship, we took a van trip to the Alps, which gave us our first real taste of life on the road.

In 2021, we spent a month in Iceland with a 4x4 and a tent. That’s when I realized Fanny is a true adventurer, despite the terrible weather and our very basic setup. That trip changed us forever. From that moment on, we started saving money and looking for a proper rig to explore the world.

In 2022, we explored Morocco with a small car, and in 2023, we discovered Mongolia on horseback trek, one of our best adventures so far.

We started our current adventure in October 2025, traveling from Montevideo to Ushuaia and then up to Cartagena over about 18 months. We don’t have a return ticket, so we’ll just see where the adventure takes us.

What are the top three destinations you hope to explore next, and why?

Bolivia is our next destination, a dream for overlanding with its raw landscapes, remote tracks and authentic culture.

The North Cape, because we’ve already driven to Ushuaia, the southernmost road in the world, and we’d love to reach the northernmost point of Europe, if possible with the same vehicle.

The U.S. national parks, for their incredible diversity of landscapes and the freedom to explore vast wilderness areas.

Where would you recommend others visit?

If they enjoy adventure, I’d definitely recommend Mongolia. Mass tourism hasn’t reached it yet, and it’s by far the most authentic country we’ve visited. 

How do you primarily travel on your adventures today?

We travel with a 1993 Iveco Daily Turbo 4x4, which used to be a firefighter truck. The idea was to build a compact expedition vehicle capable of going anywhere, while offering enough comfort to live in it full-time.

Our top three modifications are:

 – A double diesel tank (150 liters)

 – Custom-made rims to fit standard 285/70 R17 tires

 – A pop-up roof to create more living space.

What are five pieces of equipment that you always travel with?

Our French passports (we’re very aware of how lucky we are to have such powerful ones)

A toolbox (there’s always something to fix)

Our Pentole Agnelli oven

An e-reader

Starlink mini 

What inspires you to explore more?

We’re inspired by freedom, vast open spaces, and the ability to reach remote places on our own terms. Living in our truck lets us balance solitude with meaningful human connections.

How do you engage with others?

Through social media, by learning the local language, by picking up hitchhikers, and by sharing moments with fellow travelers at bivouac spots.

Why is it important to embrace global cultures?

When you travel by vehicle, embracing different cultures isn’t just a bonus, it’s essential. You’re a guest everywhere you park, so adapting to local communities is part of the journey.

Living in our truck creates real connections. People are curious about our vehicle, and that often leads to unexpected experiences you could never plan online.

For example, in Ushuaia, a police officer named Dante invited us to share a mate, a traditional South American drink, and later welcomed us into his home to have dinner with his family.

What are your goals when you explore?

Our goal is to discover new cultures, step out of our comfort zone, and understand how people live in different parts of the world.

We love sharing moments with locals : like spending New Year’s Eve with a Chilean family, discovering their traditions, and realizing that despite the distance, we have far more in common than we think.

What are some challenges you have experienced?

In 2019, I broke my 4x4 in a remote national park in Australia. We were stuck there for 24 hours until a French couple gave us a ride to the nearest town, three hours away. After paying for an expensive recovery, I had to leave the car behind at a garage, and we ended up finishing the road trip by hitchhiking. It was a very challenging experience, but it definitely created unforgettable memories.

During our horse trip in Mongolia, we spent two weeks with a nomadic guide and  host families who didn’t speak any English. Despite the language barrier, we learned to communicate in different ways, turning misunderstandings into some of our most memorable moments.

We were told that building our truck would be a major project, but we definitely underestimated both the cost and the time required to build it. In the end, the whole process became an adventure in itself.

What has been your most meaningful moment so far?

Sharing daily life and simple responsibilities with nomadic families in Mongolia,  a truly authentic and humbling experience.

How has exploration changed you?

Exploration, especially overlanding, really amplifies emotions and pushes you out of your comfort zone. It has taught us a lot about ourselves, our limits, and how to handle challenging situations.

What is the number one lesson that you have learnt through your exploration?

Always make space for the unexpected, that’s where the best moments happen.

How do you explore locally?

We explore by wild camping with our tent and using our daily car.

What does the explmore mantra mean to you?

The world is not in your books or on social media, get out there it’s wonderful don’t listen to people that will stop you by saying it’s unsafe. Follow your dream and explore the world.

What advice would you give to others who are seeking life changing adventure?

Don’t expect it to be like social media. The reality is often less perfect, but much more real and rewarding.You don’t need a fully equipped 4x4 to start. A tent and a sleeping bag are more than enough.

Taking the first step can be scary, but it’s an experience that will truly change you and your life.