How micro-journeys transform familiar streets into foreign territory worth exploring
The French have a newly-minted word for a concept that captures a peculiar modern anxiety: oïcotropie sociale, or oïco for short, the pressure to travel far enough to avoid social judgment. Many would happily spend their vacation at home in a country that millions dream of visiting, where their favorite bistrot never disappoints, and where comfort is at their fingertips.
But when neighbours might judge staying local as an indicator for being “poor” and colleagues could consider it “boring”, social pressure to be seen elsewhere becomes intense. The omnipresent polished Instagram reels from Dubai and staged-casual snapshots from the Seychelles reinforce the idea that proximity equals failure. Others’ opinions matter to the image-conscious French. So off they fly to exotic locales.
But author Rémy Oudghiri offers a subversive antidote: proximity travel. In his new book “Microvoyage, Le paradis à deux pas” (Micro-journey: Paradise Two Steps Away) the Parisian sociologist argues for a concept that is revolutionary in its simplicity: treat the familiar as foreign, and the nearby as mysterious. Paradise might be just a couple of steps from your front door.
Wonder exists everywhere, Oudghiri argues, patiently waiting to be discovered: nature’s beauty, unexpected wildlife encounters, or half-forgotten architectural treasures. It is also a wonderful opportunity to teach children to see miracles in the ordinary. As a bonus, you spare yourself what he calls “the comedy of travel”, the relentless logistics that transform escape into stress.
The timing feels particularly relevant. Despite the social pressure, recent surveys suggest significant portions of the population skip annual vacations, often citing costs or environmental concerns about flights. The author’s philosophy aligns with a growing European movement that questions high-impact tourism and embraces ecological restraint, presence, and slowness as values in themselves.
Having himself spent years of exploring pre-dawn Paris and beyond, Oudghiri’s four practical tips for the perfect micro journeys are elegantly simple:
- Rise early. Embrace the magical hours of dawn when the world is still waking, the sunrise glorious, and the streets empty except for a stray cat.
- Lose the guidebook. Put away schedules, maps, and GPS. Let atmosphere and intuition lead the way.
- Explore peripheral spaces. Venture into overlooked areas. You might find unexpected juxtapositions of urban and natural life in neighborhoods that are less glamorous but more authentic.
- Observe diligently. Examine textures, architecture, plant life. Pretend you’re exploring a new land. Stop staring at the ground – look up, look around you.
Micro-journeys have many names: excursion, expedition, hiking, escapade… But call them what you will, they are so much more than rebranded, glorified walks: drawing inspiration from Swiss poet Gustave Roud, who pursued moments of altered awareness to glimpse the ordinary as extraordinary, Oudghiri insists you can find these fleeting instants in suburban alleyways, local parks, and public squares. That urban fox on his early morning prowl for a rodent… The flower that stubbornly pushes through the concrete… Two birds busily digging for a worm… A stained glass window of a chapel that glints in the sunlight… Micro-journeys are poetic rediscoveries of the familiar, directing your attention to the beauty all around you and making the here and now the essence of travel.
Oudghiri’s approach also responds to practical constraints. Time, money, family obligations: the practical barriers that make distant travel impossible for many. But rather than considering local exploration a consolation prize, it offers something unavailable elsewhere: the chance to see home with fresh eyes, to discover that perspective matters more than distance. How many people have travelled thousands of kilometres just to see what you are looking at right now, right in your immediate surroundings?
The pandemic years 2020 and 2021 proved we could find local escapes when distant travel paused and we were all relegated to contemplating the view from our windows. Yet, as global travel has rebounded, we seem to have learned little from that forced experiment in proximity.
Oudghiri’s gentle lesson: adventure becomes a matter of seeing rather than going, of curiosity rather than distance. The humble mailbox at the end of the street might tell stories, but only to someone willing to approach it with genuine curiosity. The grass under your bare feet may feel unfamiliar, but deliciously good. And taking off with nothing more than your wallet, a well-charged phone in case of emergency, and maybe a bottle of water sheds more than just physical baggage.
Perhaps most importantly, the concept subverts travel culture’s fundamental assumptions. While others stress about bookings and must-see lists, he finds serendipity in the space between intention and discovery. In a world obsessed with going somewhere, he has found exciting adventures in the radical act of staying close and looking deeper. The real revolution, it turns out, begins at home. It is good for you – and it is good for the planet.
Now close the book and step outside! Grab your loved one, your kids, your dog, or just march off alone, which has its own charm. Forget the fancy gear, leave the specialist kit behind. Those of us fortunate enough to be living on the French Riviera have a cornucopia of gorgeous sites within less than one hour from the coast that will immediately transport you to a different world, far from crowded beaches and congested sites. All are accessible year-round and none is overrun in summer. Enjoy!
For families with kids
- Canal de l’Adroit trail, Colmars-les-Alpes (≈ 35 km inland)
An educational-but-fun riverside loop with interpretive panels and safe, shaded terrain. Ideal for families seeking fresh air, local wildlife, and tranquillity without crowds or steep ascents. - Moulinet forest & Bévéra river trail (≈ 30 km inland)
A cool, secluded woodland with gentle paths and shallow water crossings. The peaceful setting offers natural shade, space to explore, and no tourist infrastructure in sight.
For athletic explorers
- Salt Route trail, Boréon to Col de Cerise (≈ 40 km inland)
A steep, historic mule-track linking mountain pastures and remote passes. Demanding elevation, high-altitude air, and stunning Mercantour panoramas, without the usual footfall of coastal hikers. - Canyoning and ridge hiking in the Roya Valley (Saorge–Breil) (≈ 40 km inland)
Wild terrain suited for canyoning, scrambling, and ambitious day routes. Limestone gorges, forested cliffs, and challenging ascents make this a rewarding option for seasoned explorers.
For history, arts, archaeology & architecture lovers
- Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Douleurs, Peillon (≈ 20 km inland)
This 15th-century hilltop chapel features well-preserved frescoes by Giovanni Canavesio. Accessed via stepped alleyways in a village untouched by tourism, it rewards quiet architectural curiosity. - Larche–Bousiéyas trail section (Mercantour) (≈ 40 km inland)
A high-mountain trail passing Alpine hamlets, shepherds’ chapels, and protohistoric observatory ruins. Few walkers venture here, yet it rewards with unexpected cultural and archaeological richness.
For local globetrotters without a car
- Utelle (≈ 35 km inland)
Served by regional buses from Nice and nestled above the Vesubie Gorge, Utelle remains unfrequented even in summer. Its panoramic position and quiet stone lanes offer a sense of mountain seclusion. - Saint-Martin-Vésubie (≈ 40 km inland)
A direct bus ride from Nice leads to this medieval gateway to the Mercantour. Despite its historic character and altitude, it avoids the high-season crush and offers access to Alpine trails without needing a vehicle.
For fans of spectacular scenery
- Saorge (≈ 40 km inland)
Built into a vertiginous mountainside above the Roya River, this amphitheatre-like village offers jaw-dropping views and dramatic architecture. Its remote access keeps it calm even at the height of summer. - Belvédère & Gordolasque Valley (≈ 35 km inland)
Perched above the Vesubie with direct access to Alpine wilderness, Belvédère opens onto one of the Mercantour’s wildest valleys. The natural setting is spectacular, yet the trails remain uncrowded and pristine.
“When we live somewhere, we eventually stop noticing what surrounds us. Our capacity for wonder dulls. Whereas the tourist aims for escapism, the micro-traveller seeks to feel.” – Rémy Oudghiri
Micro-voyage, Le paradis à deux pas (EAN : 9782130873006) by Rémy Oudghiri is available online and your local high street book dealer. Price: €17
Lead image via PXhere; all other images © Natja Igney