The story of our happy company

Abicyclette Voyages, a Magnificent Alchemy recounted by Philippe Négrier

Some encounters seem predestined. My meeting with Philippe Négrier was one of them. Philippe, a writer, researcher, and coach for happy companies, entered our world through the simplest and most sincere door: that of the customer.

At first, he was just a traveler who came to share a stay with us. There was no indication that this encounter would have such an impact on our story. But very quickly, something special happened. It wasn’t just a travel experience for him, it was an immersion in a community, in a vision, in a philosophy of travel and work. And, unbeknownst to us at the time, it was the beginning of a much greater adventure.

A few weeks later, an email landed in our inbox. Philippe told us about a mysterious project with an evocative title: Alchimies Magnifiques (Magnificent Alchemies). His idea was to highlight, in a collection, companies seen from a different angle, one that was human, sensitive, and deeply authentic. Far from the usual clichés and formulaic speeches, he wanted to give a voice to the teams, show the reality on the ground, and share the little stories that make up the great adventure of a company.

We agreed to open our doors to him. As a result, we had the opportunity and honor of being the very first company to be featured in this book.

An immersion to live the Abicyclette Voyages experience

Philippe came to spend two full days at our offices. Two days to experience our company from the inside: listening, observing, asking questions, getting a feel for the atmosphere, and understanding what drives us.

At that time, we were in the midst of strategic reflection on the vision of Abicyclette Voyages, on the direction we wanted to take our collective in the years to come. His outside perspective came at just the right moment, like a revelation. He was able to put into words what we were already experiencing on a daily basis, but which we were not always able to express. Thanks to him, our intuitions took shape and we began to see more clearly the path we were charting.

Then we gave him carte blanche to tell our story in his own way. That’s how he met the women and men who make up our team and our raison d’être. He chose the voices, the anecdotes, the threads to pull. It wasn’t just a story about us, it was a sensitive interpretation, a dive into our world, a mirror that reflects back an image that is sometimes surprising but always accurate.

As part of this same immersion process, photographer Géraldine Aresteanu came to spend a day at our offices. She discreetly observed our interactions and our way of working, slipping into our daily routine to capture key moments. At this stage, we only knew that she was seeking to visually transcribe our world, without yet having any idea of the final result.

When our story comes to life in a book…

Two years passed between Philippe’s first visit and the publication of the book. And in the life of a company, two years represent a real transformation. New people joined the team, while others left to pursue new adventures. Our projects evolved, our catalog expanded, and our growth brought new challenges. The day Philippe handed us the finished book will remain etched in our memories. It was a moment of intense emotion, almost solemn. 

The heart of the book lies in Philippe’s writing. Reading it, we felt a deep sense of gratitude. His perspective, both external and benevolent, captured the very essence of our adventure. He accurately conveyed our emotions, our questions, our successes, and our doubts. His words give coherence to our story and reveal aspects that we sometimes found difficult to perceive ourselves, so immersed were we in our daily lives.

Géraldine’s photographs, which we discover at the same time, complement this story. They bring a touch of life and reality, giving a face and atmosphere to Philippe’s words. They enrich the reading experience by offering visual references, snapshots of our daily lives. Seeing our team, our gestures, and our smiles through her eyes was a wonderful surprise. It allowed us to appreciate the beauty of those little moments we experience every day, which, when put together, form the fabric of our adventure.

This blend of text and images has resulted in a unique object, a book that not only tells the story of what we do, but above all who we are.

When we saw the book begin to travel between the hands of our loved ones and our customers, the emotion grew even stronger. Fabien shares with us: “This collection has traveled too. I gave it to my parents, who read it with emotion. A family friend, who is a teacher, even borrowed it to share with her students, fascinated by this way of showing the company from a human and lively perspective.”

Alchimies Magnifiques captures a snapshot of our adventure, at the crossroads of the present and the past. It tells the story of who we were at that moment and reminds us of where we came from.

More than a collection: a message and a guide for tomorrow

For us, Alchimies Magnifiques is much more than a book. It is a tool for passing on knowledge and a compass for continuing to move forward. It embodies a conviction that is close to our hearts: work should be a place of fulfillment.

We firmly believe that work can be a source of pleasure and meaning, a space where everyone can be themselves and express themselves freely. It can be a collective adventure where the team comes together around shared values and a shared vision.

Conversely, we believe that fear, threats, and anger have no place in a company. Governance through fear may yield short-term results, but it destroys motivation, creativity, and trust in the long term.

We advocate a different vision, one of humble and humane management, a fair organization, and a collective that grows together. A company is above all a human adventure, and it is through kindness and trust that the greatest successes are born.

This book is also a message of hope for tomorrow’s managers and entrepreneurs. It reminds them that you don’t build a perfect model from the outset. The path is paved with doubts, trials, errors, and questioning, but also with exchanges and deep reflection. It is a living, constantly evolving process, where every step, even the smallest, is important.

Discover Alchimies Magnifiques

We are delighted to be able to share this adventure with you today. The book is available to order for €36 (excluding shipping costs). To purchase a copy, simply email us at bonjour@abicyclette-voyages.com. We will be happy to send you a copy and discuss this project, which is very close to our hearts, with you.

Among the 12 companies highlighted by Philippe Négrier, you will find diverse and inspiring organizations, each with its own history, values, and unique way of balancing performance and well-being at work. As you read this book, you will discover collectives where listening, kindness, and cooperation are at the heart of everyday practices. It is a true manifesto for a different vision of work, one that is more human, more sensitive, and more fulfilling.

Thank you Philippe

Before concluding, we would like to express our immense gratitude to Philippe Négrier. Thank you for your attentiveness, your sensitivity, and your ability to reveal what is often invisible, hidden in everyday gestures. Thank you for taking the time to understand who we are and for transcribing our adventure with such accuracy and poetry.

Thanks to you, we now have a living testimony to our journey, an object that connects our past to our future. We know that these pages will continue to inspire us and, hopefully, inspire other companies to embark on their own magnificent alchemies.