Hiking in the mountains is an exciting activity that’s accessible to almost everyone.
Still, a basic level of knowledge is necessary to stay safe.
Through my work as a guide, I want to share moments of freedom and the simple joys of being up there, as well as my experience, knowledge, and advice—so that hiking in the mountains remains a pleasure!
Through my work as a mountain guide, I want to help you experience memorable moments of discovery and connection centered around three themes: exploring and learning about the natural environment, techniques and equipment for mountain hiking, and personal development
Because I spend time in these environments every day, I see firsthand how fragile ecosystems and natural habitats are. Climate change, pressure from human activities, and overcrowding all place additional strain on environments and species that are already threatened. I invite you to discover these environments and species with respect, to understand the connections and interactions between them, and to appreciate the balances that have developed over the course of evolution.
I hope to share with you the passion that drives me: the desire to learn more about the living world around us, so that we can better understand and protect it.
Because I still see, all too often, people who are inadequately prepared and who put themselves in risky, even dangerous, situations. I enjoy sharing technical knowledge about hiking: navigation, map reading, route planning, adapting to the terrain or weather conditions, and so on…
With this in mind, I offer not only hikes, but also training days to help you improve and gradually guide you toward hiking independently and safely…
Because, in my opinion, hiking in the mountains is certainly about the joy of physical exertion, but it’s also about the joy of wonder and discovery. Whether you’re getting back into shape or doing it for fun, hiking contributes to a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
I’ll teach you breathing techniques and posture corrections that promote well-being and make walking more comfortable, as well as help you recover better after exercise, and I offer special “getting back into shape” sessions.
Hiking, especially in the mountains, also allows you to disconnect from the digital world and everyday life, and reconnect with reality, nature, and others. It is an activity that lends itself to contemplation, meditation, or reflection, and is also a source of rich and enlightening human interaction.
I was fortunate enough to be introduced to hiking at a very young age, under the guidance of professional mountain guides and hiking leaders. Having grown up far from the mountains, in Normandy, we regularly went hiking as a family during the summer vacations. I climbed my first 3,000-meter (10,000 ft.) peak: Mont Thabor, in the Cerces Massif at the age of 11, with my father.
After completing my studies and starting my career as an engineer, I had the opportunity to move to this beautiful Rhône-Alpes region (now known as Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes ;-). I began to actively pursue outdoor sports and activities: hiking, snowshoeing, rock climbing, mountaineering, ski touring… and I decided to make a long-held dream come true: to become a mountain guide, leading hikers along the trails, and sharing my passion for the mountains.
After compiling the list of hiking and multi-day treks required for the application, I registered for the entrance exam: the qualifying exam, which is used to select candidates who meet the required level to enter the training program. I then completed the two-year training program during my vacation time (both paid and unpaid) and devoted all my free time to guiding, in order to build up the list of guiding assignments required for the final exam, which I passed in 2011.
Being a mountain guide is a fascinating profession, full of encounters and meaningful exchanges. You need to be patient, love learning, be open to self-reflection, and… be willing to spend time away from home…
After a few years leading hikes and treks year-round, both in France and abroad, I met my wife. We’ve since settled in Chambéry, and then in Cruet, a charming little village nestled among the vineyards at the foot of the Bauges mountain range. This location gives me an easy access to many French, italian and some swiss mountain ranges.
Today I divide my time between working as a mountain guide and as an electrician. These two jobs provide me with a good balance and complement each other well throughout the year, while allowing me to remain based in Savoie and Haute-Savoie.
In the meantime, I’ve completed a refresher course to update my certification, which now allows me to lead trail running in addition to mountain hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry camping, and trekking…
The mountains are ever-changing and unpredictable. Technology is improving, practices are evolving, and hikers’ expectations are changing as well.
Since I began working as a hiking guide, I have offered an approach to hiking and the mountains centered on sharing and interaction with my participants:
I regularly participate in training sessions for mid-mountain guides and tour leaders. This allows me to continually improve my mountain knowledge and skills, while enjoying wonderful experiences that I’m eager to share with you.
France, mainly in Savoie, Haute-Savoie, and Isère: the Mont Blanc, Aravis, Bauges, Chartreuse, Vanoise, Haute-Maurienne, Belledonne, Vercors, and Ecrins mountain ranges. Less frequently in the Jura, the Massif Central, and the Ardèche
Italy: Aosta Valley, Dolomites
Switzerland: Valais
And occasionally: Norway, the Lofoten Islands, and Spain, the Canary Islands
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