Published on August 25, 2025. Reading time: 3 minutes.
François, in our house, is this tall, simple guy who takes his children to school by bike.
He lives here year-round with Carline, Sarah, Siméon, and Célestin. A local family like any other.
With a little something extra: four victories in Chamonix on the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc for dad, who made trail running his profession.
The texts in this article were written by Myriam Cornu-Nave . They transcribe the conversations with François d'Haene, in his podcast "De la paille et des paillettes" (Straw and Glitter), available to listen to here.
How is life in Beaufortain, François?
François D'Haene: "We live fairly normally. We spend time with our children outside, enjoying the joys that the Beaufort mountains offer us. From a weekend retreat at first, our little chalet has become a place of daily life*."
Everyday life , a book by François D'Haene published by Éditions Guérin.
Life in the great outdoors?
François: “Yes, ‘outside’. Living here allows us to experience a little bit of everything. Skiing, cycling, or jogging in the mountains and woods, we really enjoy it.”
What does the region bring to your job?
François: "Trail running, cycling, ski touring, I can diversify my sports. That's also why we chose to live here; to be able to train around the house in a very varied area. Rocky, highly technical areas. Grassy areas, mountain pastures. Ridges, forests, wild valleys, lakes. Always with a beautiful view. I like long, technical hikes, when you have to scramble along ridges. We really have the ideal terrain here."
“Here, sport is a lifestyle!”
You try to feed yourself with the most common sense
possible; it helps to be in shape! What does it bring you?
Arêches-Beaufort, on this plan?
François: “We are very lucky to still have a lot of small farmers and as a result, a
high-quality food with local products. I buy veal, lamb, and local pork. We have access to products whose origin we know.
Your summer events in Arêches-Beaufort?
François: “In the summer, there are many, many things to do here. The Pierra Menta summer (trail running in teams of two). Teamwork, mutual support, an essential component which, for me, is really linked to the mountains.
At the end of summer, the race that we organize, with Carline, is the Ultra Spirit.
But my summer event is simply going to see friends in mountain huts, playing, fully enjoying cycling, running, the Marmots Race in the village, these authentic atmospheres.
And then there's the Arêches Festival , where this whole group of sporty types who live here get together. For a week, in the mornings, it's Mirantin, Légette, or Grande Journée. In the afternoons, we build a little part of a float, and in the evenings, we all eat together. It's incomparable.
What does life down in the village bring you?
François: “This year-round lifestyle is what appealed to us the most. Even during the very low tourist season, in May or November, everything is alive: the school, bakeries, bars, restaurants, grocery stores, cheese shops. It’s a pretty authentic and natural state of mind. People who live their land.”
The general sporting level of the locals?
François: "It motivates and... it brings a lot of humility. People rub shoulders in the village naturally. Your titles, your victories, your profession, that's not what makes the difference. We don't talk to so-and-so because they're a champion, we talk to so-and-so because they are themselves."
