#1
Pioneer of time,
sower of emotions
April 14, 2025
The beginning of a new season (especially spring) is often the perfect time to build a roadmap and set goals. Over the past few weeks, I’ve focused more on reflecting on the months gone by. Not to dwell on what didn’t work, but to take a moment to celebrate the journey. 2024 has been a turning point for 700’000 Heures Impact, with the openings in Peru and Mexico. I rarely measure a destination’s success by its commercial performance; often, the most memorable are not the most profitable. Success lies elsewhere: Were the teams happy during this period? Did the host community benefit as hoped? Did our clients nurture their curiosity? After each season, I’ve made it a habit to document my personal feelings and memorable details in an Excel file—a way of preserving the essence of these experiences.
What resonates most is the power of a journey to convey the vision I want to share. Longer stays allow for building a program like a melody: they tell richer stories, reveal the multifaceted nature of a region, its culture, history, and heritage. In Mexico, for example, our triptych in the state of Oaxaca spanned 9 nights, compared to just 3 nights in Peru. I’m becoming increasingly convinced that the kind of hospitality we offer requires time to settle in. The longer the stay, the more people unwind, enjoy, and fully immerse themselves. That’s why I’m focusing more on the before and after of each journey, one of my key goals for the months ahead.
Until then, I hope you will enjoy this first letter. Warmly, Thierry
When I travel, I always bring books. Several, in fact. I usually start one or two, skim through others, and rarely finish any. The thrill and creativity that come with traveling often overwhelm me, making it impossible to sit still. But rules are made to be broken. “L’État-voyageur” (The Traveling State), a collection of 21 essays rooted in the author’s walking adventures, was an exception. I dove into it and found myself feverishly annotating pages, highlighting passages, and jotting down notes. Author Cécile Poujade speaks the same language as I do. Her words, her quest, her love for beauty and slow living echo everything I pour into my projects. The book itself is a work of art, with hand-drawn illustrations by François Saint Rémy, making it an inspiring piece that constantly encourages reflection and wonder.
Talking about ice cream in my very first newsletter? Well, that should give you a glimpse of my somewhat addictive relationship with it. Refreshing in summer, comforting in winter—it’s the ultimate day enhancer. My approach? Start with classic, complex flavors—coffee, pistachio, hazelnut—before venturing into more original ones. Recently, I was blown away by an ice cream and wine pairing at Folderol. It worked brilliantly and finally gave me an alternative to the ever-present cheese boards! But my current obsession is Minimal Gelato, a Taiwanese ice cream maker (the first in its category to receive a Michelin star) known for stunning visuals and innovative pairings: whisky-barley-brown rice, gin-pine needles-juniper berries, or sorghum-lychee-green plum. I’ll be in that part of the world this fall, and I won’t rule out a slight detour just to indulge. Until then, I’ll patiently relive the memories through photos of the ice cream cart we created for this season of 700,000 Heures Impact in Mexico. On the menu: tamarind, passion fruit, or mango con chamoy. Best enjoyed with your feet in the water near Puerto Escondido.
Nature is often touted as essential for recharging, but I’ve always believed cities can offer the same solace. I realized this on a trip to Rome as a teenager. Instead of visiting museum after museum, I found myself napping in a park, connecting with the city in an entirely new way. I accept the urban buzz when needed but know when to step back to avoid being consumed by the chaos. Recently, I was in New York for a Cornell University conference during Climate Week. Between meetings, I found time to sit and read in the MoMA library. In Paris, my retreat is the Miwa Pavilion, where I feel wonderfully out of time. Every city has its sanctuaries—places where you set the rhythm, not your surroundings.
“A creative adult is a child who survived.” The tragedy of adulthood is forgetting how to see the world with fresh, curious eyes. Each morning, I ask myself how to start the day on a positive note—whether through a piece of chocolate, a philosophical thought, or discovering a new artist. Recently, I’ve been captivated by the works of Yuki Kawae, Alex Walshaw, and Alexandre Farto. My goal is simple: keep my mind open to beauty. Like an athlete training daily, pursuing beauty is a discipline. One mentor once challenged me to enter a ridiculous shop and leave with something—anything. That habit stuck. Now I look for inspiration everywhere: outdoors, in books, online, and through conversations. The good news? Curiosity has no rules!
It took me years to learn how to express my feelings. A retreat with Rima in September 2021 opened the door, and I’ve been making strides ever since. Marie Dollé’s newsletter struck a chord with me. She discussed the merits of “negative thinking.” Beyond the overused feel-good rhetoric, it’s about embracing all emotions (even “bad” ones) and cultivating introspection. Used wisely, negative thinking can be empowering—preparing for the worst allows for calm and clarity while appreciating life’s contradictions. Fear, for example, signals the importance of what lies ahead and the pride you’ll feel when you conquer it. Life’s complexity is its greatest gift.
On my first trip to Rwanda, I met an architect who introduced me to two incredible people: an artist with whom we’re planning a project for 700’000 Heures and Winnie, owner of a pottery studio in Kigali. Nestled in a lively, artsy district, Winnie’s space is a haven of calm, where her radiant energy infuses every piece she creates. I left with half her shop, including two vases united by a single handle. On my return to Rwanda, the architect surprised me: a guesthouse had opened on the same grounds. Its soft, filtered light and simplicity embody Winnie’s sunny spirit. Go there. You won’t regret it.
To keep up with my latest projects:
> 15 Minutes to Fix the World: A podcast where I share my vision of hospitality and its potential to drive positive change.
> An interview in French magazine Le Point, exploring the difference between ethical tourism and regeneration.
> A seminar for Small Luxury Hotels on guiding hoteliers toward regeneration, experienced through Dar Ahlam.