For fifteen years, Bols d’Air has offered outings that combine hiking, cultural discoveries and artisanal encounters. Founded in 2009, by Anne-Laure Mantel, a nature and culture enthusiast, this association offers to explore the Picardy territory differently, with a curious look and a participatory approach.
Bols d’Air was born from a simple desire: to share passions. After a career in the cultural sector in Paris, Anne-Laure Mantel returned to her native Oise. It was there that she decided to combine her love of nature, art and walking. “I’ve always loved walking,” she confides. It is a gentle and meditative practice. And as I worked in the artistic sector, I like to mix culture and nature. »
Hikes enriched with encounters
Bols d’Air is not limited to simple walking. Each outing is an opportunity to discover an artist’s studio, visit a heritage site or meet local producers. Sometimes nature specialists accompany the groups. The association has also established partnerships with structures such as the Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels des Hauts-de-France. The flagship event each year is the Grand Bol d’air. It combines hiking within a historic site and live shows, such as the circus or dance.
“I like to innovate, meet new people and discover new places,” confides the organizer. Anne-Laure makes it a point of honor to vary the proposals and to think outside the box. Each hike is subject to precise identification. These are based on his in-depth knowledge of the forests of Compiègne, Retz and Halatte.
A varied program for 2025
The year 2025 looks promising for Bols d’Air, with a program full of discoveries. From this Sunday, January 26, Bols d’Air is offering a hike in the Compiègne forest, coupled with a climate fresco (a collective intelligence workshop to reflect on environmental issues). In February, a nature outing in partnership with the Bird Protection League (LPO) will highlight wetlands and their biodiversity.
In March, it’s time for action with a nature site in Rocquemont on calciferous soil sheltering protected species such as the lizard. This outing will be organized in collaboration with the Conservatory of Natural Spaces of Picardy. Also in March, two craft workshops are scheduled in Tracy-le-Mont: one devoted to ceramics and the other to working with wool felt. Each event combines walking, learning and conviviality, in a spirit always focused on exploration and transmission.
