On July 24, Thérèse, 93, and her grandson Jules Riss, 29, left Metz to cross France by hitchhiking, filming their nearly 2,000-kilometer journey to the Atlantic coast. Spontaneous decisions and personal history have shaped the route, now central to their adventure.
Their first major key stage was reaching Valence after relying on just four different drivers. The route took them through Ardèche, a region closely connected to Thérèse’s past. For years, she traveled these roads with her late husband, who died four years ago. Now, with her grandson and no private car or fixed schedule, she is rediscovering both the field and herself.
Jules did not initially propose a full cross-country trek. Instead, he suggested a shorter trial: a weekend hitchhiking trip through Brittany, covering about 500 kilometers. Thérèse was reluctant at first and agreed only after some persuasion. That experience, followed by a trip to Lot-et-Garonne, gradually eased her doubts. Depending on strangers meant never knowing who would stop or where a ride would take them, with each conversation another unknown. What began as a source of anxiety became one of the journey’s highlights.
Each driver who picked them up shaped the journey in unexpected ways. In one memorable moment, a woman drove past, then turned around and came back for them, telling Thérèse and Jules, “Look, it’s impossible not to stop. I have time, I’ll come get you.” For Thérèse, these encounters matter more than the distances covered or the number of rides.
Family Ties and New Perspectives
The journey is more than a physical challenge: it gives Thérèse a chance to reconnect with memories of her husband, while Jules can honor a family tradition. Their stop in Ardèche is especially meaningful, letting Thérèse revisit places she once explored with her spouse. Planned visits include Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and a village associated with singer Jean Ferrat, both woven into her personal history.
The trip is not a race against time. They move at a pace set by the people they meet and the places they want to see, savoring each moment instead of rushing to the finish. As Jules explains, the journey’s value lies as much in its pauses and detours as in reaching the final destination.
From Reluctance to Embracing the Unknown
Thérèse’s initial hesitation about hitchhiking has given way to genuine enjoyment. The uncertainty that once made her uneasy now adds excitement and depth to the experience. Their story echoes that of other older travelers whose family ties prompt them to step outside their routines and discover new possibilities later in life.
Throughout the trip, the pair have documented their experiences for a documentary about the physical journey and the changing relationship between grandmother and grandson. Each ride brings another story and a fresh perspective, showing them that age need not be a barrier to adventure.
A Journey Preserved on Film
As they approach the Atlantic coast, the documentary is taking shape as a record of the kilometers traveled and time shared, framed by family memories and their willingness to embrace the unknown. Thérèse’s change from reluctant participant to enthusiastic traveler is at the heart of the project, which explores aging, ability to recover and intergenerational connection.
The journey, as reported by Talent24h, shows how familiar roads can take on new meaning when traveled with openness and curiosity. For Thérèse and Jules, the people they meet give the journey meaning, while familiar roads bring back memories.
