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A Journey Begun Without Sponsorship, Without a Plane, and Driven Only by Friendship, Environmental Purpose, and Physical Endurance Took Two Young Frenchmen Across 16 Countries on Foot to Shanghai
What started as a casual conversation among friends ended in one of the most impressive walks in recent years. The Frenchmen Loic Voisot, 26, and Benjamin Humblot, 27, completed a journey of approximately 12,850 kilometers, setting out on foot from France and arriving in China after 17 months of nearly uninterrupted walking. The journey, marked by physical endurance, extreme planning, and environmental purpose, attracted the attention of thousands of people around the world.
The adventure concluded last Saturday in Shanghai, on the banks of the Huangpu River, at the famous promenade known as the Bund, one of the city’s most iconic tourist spots. Visibly exhausted but emotional, the two friends embraced in front of the illuminated skyline of the Chinese financial center, while being greeted by local residents, curious onlookers, journalists, and followers who had tracked each step of their journey on social media.
The information was shared through reports and updates published on the Mode Avion – Walk to China project, which tracked the entire walk in real time through its website and digital platforms, providing daily accounts, data on the route, and reflections on sustainable mobility.
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Additionally, about 50 people gathered just to accompany the last 10 kilometers of the trek. The number gradually grew as French residents in Shanghai, admirers, and media professionals joined the group in the final moments of the walk, turning the arrival into a small spontaneous event.
The Dream of a Great Adventure Was Born in Childhood
Friends since childhood, Voisot and Humblot set out from the city of Annecy in southeastern France, driven by a shared desire to experience a “great adventure.” From the beginning, the final destination was defined: China. However, there was one non-negotiable condition: no segments by plane would be part of the route.
According to the two adventurers, air travel represents a high environmental impact, incompatible with the values they wished to uphold during their journey. Therefore, walking became not only the means of transportation but also a practical statement about individual choices and sustainability.
“It’s hard to believe it’s real, that we did all this on foot and finally arrived here, after thinking about Shanghai for so long,” said Loic Voisot, visibly emotional upon crossing the finish line. His statement summarizes the symbolic weight of an idea that took over a year to materialize step by step.
In the same vein, Benjamin Humblot emphasized the emotional intensity of the moment. “We thought about this moment almost every day for over a year. It’s a very strong feeling,” he said. Thus, the arrival represented not only the physical end of the walk but also the closure of a mental and emotional cycle built over the course of 518 days.
Over 500 Days, 16 Countries, and Extreme Challenges Along the Way
Throughout the 518 days of the journey, the two friends crossed 16 countries, facing deep cultural differences, language barriers, extreme weather conditions, and the accumulated physical weariness of walking dozens of kilometers daily. In many stretches, the challenge was not just to forge ahead but to maintain motivation and physical health.
Although the route was almost entirely completed on foot, there was one strategic exception: a stretch in Russia, traveled by bus due to safety issues, a decision made to preserve the duo’s physical integrity in light of external risks to the project.
Still, the experience maintained its essence. Each country crossed brought new learnings, unexpected encounters, and situations that reinforced the human dimension of the crossing. More than a sporting feat, the walk became a narrative about resilience, conscious choices, and constant adaptation.
The journey was documented in real time on the website and social media of Mode Avion – Walk to China, attracting a loyal audience interested not only in the physical achievement but also in the environmental message behind the initiative. The project began to gather engaged followers who tracked maps, reports, and reflections published almost daily.
A Message That Goes Beyond the Finish Line
For Voisot, the experience leaves a simple yet powerful lesson applicable to anyone. “If your dreams seem crazy, go step by step. Sometimes you won’t succeed, but other times, you will,” he stated. The phrase encapsulates the philosophy that guided each kilometer traveled between Europe and Asia.
When asked what he would do first after completing the crossing, the adventurer responded humorously and honestly: “Sleep a lot.” The answer highlights the level of exhaustion accumulated after more than a year of continuous effort, but it also reinforces the satisfaction of someone who accomplished what many considered impossible.
Thus, the story of two friends who decided to walk from France to China shows that great journeys do not always begin with grand plans. Sometimes, it all starts with a simple conversation — and transforms, step by step, into something extraordinary.
Would you have the courage to turn a simple conversation into a 17-month journey on foot, crossing continents without a plane, only with willpower and purpose?
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