Deep in the French mountains lay two girls drifting in a river, surrounded by nothing but trees and the hum of insects. Discussing the meaning of happiness and how all you need in life is food, water and some shelter. Rare moments where time slows, and the line between you and nature disappears. Time where yourself and nature are so interconnected that there’s nothing else to think about.
I had three days off work and wanted to spend the days wisely. Day one started with a train from Imperia, Italy to Nice, France. I booked into a cheap hotel, wandered the narrow alleys of the old town, and found a little restaurant with tables crammed far too close together. I began chatting to a traveller beside me and we ended up dancing all night to jazz and rock music, the highlight watching a band members 8 year old daughter play bass perfectly.
The next morning I headed north into the mountains. On the train I met a reiki healer and we spoke for the entire journey—about energy, the earth, spirituality. It felt almost like a sign for the next few days in solitude. An hour and a half out of the city I met up with Millie, a stewardess from a previous boat who happened to be staying in the most enchanting Airbnb I had ever seen, a treehouse in the mountains. She collected me from the train station as we drove through mountains following the flow of the river, through Tournefort, deep into Roussillon, arriving at the cabin.
The cabin was intricately designed in a bohemian rustic style, where every detail was intentional. With chairs and sofas looking over the mountains, windows you can keep open day and night and a hot tub nestled in the trees. There was an outdoor kitchen, a giant hammock and flowers growing everywhere. I picked wild mint and herbs to make tea with, did some yoga practice and then we made a cheese board with some French red wine, chatting as the sunset.
Yet again completed secluded with not a soul in sight we walked through a farmers land to get to a river. The water was crystal clear and carried us gently, like a natural lazy river. I hadn’t seen this side of France before—it was calm, wild, and completely untouched. It made me start daydreaming about taking a proper road trip one day when I finally buy that camper van. Later, we read books in the hot tub and looked up to the clear stars above us. It’s one of those memories I know will stick with me for a long time.
The next day, knowing we had precisely 24 hours until we had to be back in Italy for work, we made the most of every minute. I started the morning with a massage from the lady who hosts the air b and b, it was complete serenity as she gave me a sound bath and healing in a dome. Then the time came to check out of our little paradise hidden in the trees, we headed to a nearby village made up of solely a restaurant, cafe and tabac shop for breakfast.
We drove half an hour through caves following the river to end up in the most beautiful waterfall. It felt as though we were no where near Europe but a tropical country somewhere out in the Pacific. The waterfall, called Cascade de L’Imberget, was completely empty except for us, some fish, and a few butterflies.
After more swimming, we drove back 4 hours from France to Italy with Tom Misch blaring, windows open in awe of the mountains. Driving down the windy roads felt very sketchy as we were so high up, but we made it back in time to start work again the next day.
The Airbnb was called La Cabana spa du Val!
Bevs Backpacking📍 