Abandoned France
Added 2025-09-03 20:07:29 +0000 UTCHi everyone, it’s been a while!
All through July I was working on a project that had nothing to do with YouTube. Because of that, I didn’t have time to make new videos or go on new trips. Only in August was I able to pick this project back up again.
Editing this video turned out to be quite a struggle: it was a very different process than what I’m used to since I was less familiair with this type of format. On top of that, I’ve started filming in higher resolution and with new color settings, which caused plenty of challenges during post-production. I think I’ve never tinkered with a video for this long before. But… it’s finally finished!
In this video, I take you along to a part of the region known as “la diagonale du vide” in France. Some time ago, I drove through this area and was struck by the emptiness, abandoned squares, and quiet streets. When driving trough one of those villages I spotted a freight train between the trees. I did some research and discovered that the route stretched from Givet to Paris. A winding railway line along the Meuse, through a forgotten region, it immediately sounded like a fascinating journey.
Since it was autumn back then, I decided to wait until spring or summer so the nature would be green. But unfortunately, the quarry contract was canceled earlier this year, and no freight trains run on that line anymore. So, I had to come up with an alternative: walking would take too long, driving felt boring… so I chose the bicycle instead. For 60 euros I bought a second-hand bike from a local repair shop and set off towards Givet. Where I started my journey on La Voie Verte.
It’s a different journey than usual but I hope you still like it!
Thanks for supporting me even though I haven’t been very active these past few months. More content is on the way. All the best!
Comments
I'm a bit late, but I've got some free time finally and I'm catching up on your videos. How I've missed these. I like this peaceful journey of yours through these small towns and such. It may be economically depressed but the region is also charming too, the natural beauty, the history.
Steven A Stello
2025-12-13 08:12:41 +0000 UTCThis video is the first one I've watched! I was so fascinated by it, I had to join to see more.
Frank in TX
2025-10-15 02:30:42 +0000 UTCI just want to say you have such good taste in music. It always goes so well with the cinematography. Reminds me a lot of Death Stranding.
Em
2025-10-10 18:06:42 +0000 UTCHey, I did this exact route in reverse in spring of 2024 and yeah it was definitely pretty desolate and that mixed with my ability to only be able to speak English and Welsh made it very hard to get around and hitch hike. Very cool to see you pass all the things I passed and my camp spots! Amazing video as always !
Tom Wayne
2025-10-07 05:31:38 +0000 UTCFantastic video! My dad and I enjoyed it greatly. The area reminds me of the American Rust Belt, both in scenery and lack of appreciable downtown life.
Shawn
2025-10-03 17:02:30 +0000 UTCI absolute like this. Such a great journey, great landscapes, cities, villages, and awesome places like the old big house full of stuff, or the destroyed factory. So much to see, what a big adventure. Thanks a lot.
Chainsaw
2025-09-19 22:24:07 +0000 UTCYou have what a lot of creators do not have. The inner asset of really being able to 'see' behind the lens and transform that into a unique experience for, for, me! There is no price or time that can be put on creativity. It comes when its ready. Art has a timeline of its own so from my perspective, please never feel you have to explain any why's. It is what it is. It'll be when its meant to be and where is what you always pull out of the hat for us weathered with a great story. You have a great sense of humor. I have not paid to be a Patreon before and decided I would in this instance, so in some way I could assist in your adventures, if only a little bit. Plus I am about to come into an inheritance and when it comes through I will be throwing a couple of thou your way. Not sure how to do this but Ill work it out. So when it happens you know who it was. Lil ole' me from New Zealand... Love your work!
Aana
2025-09-19 01:37:02 +0000 UTC
