Uniting locals and tourists in a French village

[Marielle135]

Hosts play an important role in creating a more connected world, especially during a particularly lonely time. This series explores how Hosts can help revitalize places. Host Advisory Board members Claudia from Italy, Marielle from France, and Rie from Japan share their perspectives. Learn more about the Host Advisory Board. 

Although I was born and raised in Paris, my heart belongs to the people and stories of the village where my family spent weekends and holidays during my childhood. I’ve traveled to many countries and been away from home for many years, but I always returned to my true home, the village of Châtillon-en-Dunois two hours outside Paris. 

I’ve seen the world change so much over the course of 50 years. And while technology has enabled us to keep in touch virtually, our reality can sometimes feel as if it is fading away. In Châtillon-en-Dunois , I am able to live by the daylight instead of the clock.

A traditional event for France’s July 14th  holiday in the ‘90s in the center of the village.

Villages have a lot to teach us. I believe that to know where you are going you have to know where you began. But as much as I love living with my extended family in our village, I’ve also missed traveling. It can be a bit lonely living in a little village after seeing so much of the world. This is why I jumped at the opportunity to host on Airbnb. I see it as an opportunity to bring the world to my village.

The view from my garden in the French countryside.

Cherry harvesting with a friend.

At first, the locals were a bit perplexed by the strangers who stayed with us. But more than 10 years and hundreds of bookings later, the people in my village now see our guests as visitors instead of strangers. They look out for them and help when they need directions.

Our neighbors no longer wonder why people are coming to Chatillon. They realize it has a certain draw if people are coming from places as far away as New York, and it makes them proud of their village. The kids play with our guests, and they talk to one another in their own unique ways, even when they don’t speak the same language.

Young guests from Paris gave their food scraps to the neighbor chickens and left with fresh eggs.

It’s a gift for our guests, too. They come here for peace and quiet but end up really enjoying talking to the neighbors. Guests often ask about the villagers’ day-to-day lives, like how they grow their vegetables and feed their chickens.

There may be fewer people to interact with in small villages like mine, but I’ve come to learn it’s not about the quantity of people you interact with, but the quality of interactions you have with those people that counts. Having these unexpected encounters can help all of us feel less lonely.

As a Host, the best thing I’ve heard from a guest was when someone who stayed for a month  said, “It was great—we felt human.” Is there any better compliment?

Thanks to hosting on Airbnb, I don't feel lonely anymore. For me, the best part of hosting is when someone arrives as a guest and leaves as a friend.

Fellow 2023 Host Advisory Board member Tatiya visited France in the year 2023 and stayed in one of my listings.

Read Claudia and Rie’s articles here: 

• Creating connections for young travelers in rural Italy

• Revitalizing community in a Japanese resort town

Do you have similar experiences to share? How do you think your actions as a Host can impact regrowth?

[Rose422]

@Marielle135 , those cherries look so yummy! Thanks for inspiring us. What a lovely story! Small is the new big now. A lot has changed since 2020. No wonder a clear vision is called 20 20. Many of us gravitated into growing the small into big. I also moved from my fancy world class California condo to a tiny place under a tree in Florida and the world seemed so much bigger from here, so much so that I also wanted to inspire the community around me to live small and act big, as everyone around me lives in million dollar mansions. The community you have around you is by far the most valuable asset. Well done!

[Marielle135]

Ohhhh thank you @Rose422 ! You message really moved me and I didn’t even imagine my story could have so much echo around! I agree with you, we are part of a big world, and sometimes taking steps back helps us move forward faster better and happier! Your choices of life are so exciting. To tell you a little story, today I am hosting 2 families and the guest said: We chose to come and experience and adventure in unknown territory, they confessed to drive past here without knowing how we live. And guess what they had planned to do many activities and so far they haven’t left the house yet! 😂