"A Little Guide to Big Mops"
.
This is how
Le Figaro
headlined on April 26, 1973 on the occasion of the publication of the first Backpacker, on the road to India.
Almost fifty years ago today.
The journalist Laurence Bonnet had received the proofs in preview.
“
I read them straight through (320 pages!).
And I admired this precision work: it taught me much more than all the travelogues I have ever had in my hands!
".
And yet, with 19 refusals from publishers at the start, the bet was not won.
Half a century and 55 million copies later, Philippe Gloaguen offers us an anniversary book of fifty trips for as many candles, in XXL format:
50 trips to make in your life
(1).
From the American West to Patagonia via the temples of Angkor, Scotland or the Greek islands, this tireless traveler and the authors of the most famous guide in France have selected their favorite destinations.
LE FIGARO - Why this large format book? It's not like you...
Philippe GLOAGUEN.
- The large format is, for the book, the most accomplished and beautiful form.
We work with outstanding artistic directors and designers.
It's the Aston Martin of publishing!
Illustrated with splendid photos, this beautiful 360-page book presents the most beautiful routes to undertake in Europe and in the world, all classified by continent and country.
We find the basics of Routard and each of the 50 destinations is accompanied by essential information and a road book.
Leafing through this book is already going on a journey.
Among this super “best of” once-in-a-lifetime trips, which one impressed you the most
?
There are plenty of them, General.
The 50 most beautiful trips
is a selection among the 2500 trips made abroad by the editors of the Guide du Routard.
Yemen is one of the most beautiful countries in the world in my eyes but no one can go there anymore.
I have insane memories in India, in the United States, in South Africa as in Cantal.
I let you in on a secret: go where you want according to your time, according to your budget, but go with the person you love and your trip will be great!
Go wherever you want with the person you love and your trip will be great!
Philippe Gloaguen
Is there a destination you felt like you missed out on?
Yes, Israel.
A country so rich, exciting but so complex that you have to go back several times before you begin to understand it.
Le Routard had suspended its Israel guide in 2002, during the second Intifada, for security reasons.
In 2015, we published an “Israel-Palestine” edition as a symbol of a possible peace...
Read alsoWhen to go to Israel?
Weather, climate, activities… The best period by region
Philippe Gloaguen, founder and owner of Le Routard.
Hachette / Photo press
Find the other episodes of the series "A book under the tree"
EPISODE 1 -
Marie Couderc and Nil Hoppenot: "On foot, every meter is part of the journey"
EPISODE 2 -
Lucie Azema: "Tea has both a notion of adventure and violence"
EPISODE 3 -
François Sarano: "I have never been afraid when swimming with sharks"
EPISODE 4
- Guillaume Desmurs: “Skiing embodies speed, the cardinal value of modernity”
In the spring of 1973, the first “Guide du Routard” was born. How many will be released in the spring of 2023 and what is the biggest hit?
Fifty years and 55 million copies later, the "Routard" is still at the top of sales of tourist guides in France and is one of the 20 best-selling books in the world.
At Hachette, they call me the laying hen.
And what's more, our eggs are fresh!
At each new edition, two destinations win all the votes and unequaled sales scores: Corsica and Brittany.
At 50, does the “Backpacker” have a mantra?
Mantra, no, do not exaggerate!
Let's tell a secret: I never release a book without the advice of our representatives and our booksellers.
They really know the expectations of readers.
And it works!
We had in 50 years less than 2% failures;
but a few anyway to keep their feet on the ground.
And we still seduce the youngest, since we are on the third generation of readers.
Is there still a guide that you dream of making?
Yes, a collection that gives children aged 7-12 the appetite for travel.
For Christmas, I'm making a present to the readers of
Le Figaro
: I think we've found the martingale!
We have already started and the team is formed.
This is to keep us busy for the next fifty years...
(1)
The
50 trips to make in his life
, collection “Le Routard”, Hachette Tourisme, 360 pages, €39.95.
The
50 trips to make in your life
, Hachette Hachette Tourisme
