The Art of Staying Put in Tarbes, France

Our week in Tarbes was special for many reasons. Of course, the best part was spending a full week with the boy and meeting his family. We’ll keep most of that private here—as family time should be—but the experience offered lessons that will shape how we think about future travel.

Before getting into that, a bit of context. Tarbes is a quiet, working town at the foothills of the Pyrenees—unpolished, local, and largely untouched by tourism. It’s the kind of place most people pass through rather than plan around, which is exactly its appeal: everyday French life, distant mountain air, and a slower rhythm that feels refreshingly off the beaten path.

We rented a lovely Airbnb just a few blocks from Marius’ house and settled into something that felt less like a vacation and more like temporary life. Along the way, we learned a few things worth holding onto:

Off the beaten path is underrated.
For an entire week, we got to live in France—shopping at local stores, hearing very little English, and eating consistently wonderful, unfussy food. There were no crowds, no traffic, no lines, and no umbrella-wielding tour guides competing for sidewalk space. The absence of friction made everything feel easier.

Who needs museums when we have donkeys

Who you travel with matters more than where you go.
Tarbes isn’t a bucket-list destination, but in the right company, it became unforgettable. Shared meals, familiar streets, and unplanned time together mattered far more than any landmark ever could.
Being present matters more than seeing everything.
Without worrying about what we should see, we were free to experience what was already there—conversations, routines, and moments that didn’t need to be rushed or scheduled.
Stillness can be the point.
Without a checklist of “must-sees,” mornings unfolded slowly. Conversations weren’t hurried. Nothing felt like it needed documenting or optimizing.
Proximity creates depth.
Staying close—to family, to daily life, to familiar streets—changed the texture of the trip. Repetition and routine created connection in a way constant movement never could.
Some experiences are meant to be felt, not showcased.
The moments that defined this week were intimate, ordinary, and irreplaceable—proof that the most meaningful travel stories don’t always translate neatly into photos or captions.
And yet, there were still headline moments.
Thierry and Sarah’s gift—flying above the Pyrenees, suspended in clouds—was quietly unforgettable. In that stillness, high above the mountains, we felt as close to the divine as we ever have while traveling.

And finally: we miss the boy deeply, and this was truly one of the best vacations we’ve ever taken. Move over overwater bungalows, safaris, and every other so-called dream trip. Traveling with the people you love—and being fully present with them—matters more than any destination ever could.