We are taking you to the heart of the Landes region, to Andrea Da Bene and her family, who kindly opened the doors of their home, nestled in the middle of the forest.
A return to her roots after fifteen years abroad
Andrea is a true globetrotter. Travel has been part of her DNA since childhood, and today, she continues to discover the world with her daughter Mia and her husband.
“My husband and I moved back to France a year and a half ago after living in North America for 15 years. We came back when our daughter was two and a half, with the desire to offer her a childhood close to our family and our roots.”
This return to her roots felt like an obvious choice for Andrea. This region, where she grew up, is also where she spent all her summers.
It is in this idyllic setting that she now lives, balancing her life as a woman, a mother, and her professional projects.
A mother-daughter bond filled with complicity
Until Mia started school, mother and daughter were inseparable.
A busy daily life in which Andrea juggles her different activities, but above all embraces her role as a mother, which she experiences fully. A very close mother-daughter relationship, nurtured by all these everyday moments they share.
“Before our daughter started school, I was with her full-time. We truly did everything together, she came with us everywhere, and we loved sharing our everyday life and our travels with her.”
A home filled with life and memories
Now well settled in their new home in the Landes region, Andrea and her family are writing a new chapter in their story. A lively home, where every object left here and there tells a story and captures a moment of life.
“I’ve always been someone who likes things tidy, but today I find myself loving this little everyday mess: a book left lying around, a pair of shoes forgotten somewhere, toys in a corner… These are little signs of life that I’ve become very attached to, because I know that one day my daughter will grow up and all of this will disappear.”
A tender perspective that perfectly sums up the atmosphere of this home: a place where the present is fully embraced, and where each day helps create tomorrow’s memories.
The values Andrea wants to pass on to her daughter
When talking about the future, Andrea shares with us the values she hopes to pass on to Mia. More than material possessions or a place to live, she hopes to teach her the importance of the bonds we create with others, curiosity, and openness to the world.
“I would like to teach her that the most important things in life are not the places where we live or the things we own, but the moments we share, and above all, the people we share them with.”
A vision that echoes her own journey. The daughter of a Chilean mother and a French father, Andrea grew up between several cultures and had the opportunity to live in different countries. A richness that has deeply shaped the way she sees the world, and that she now wishes to pass on to her daughter.
“I would like her to always keep this sense of community, to remain curious about the world, and to want to travel and discover other cultures.”
For Andrea, the most beautiful journeys are ultimately those that open us up to others, while reminding us that our family, our friends, and those who love us will always remain our greatest anchor.
Andrea and Arsène et les Pipelettes: shared values
Values that naturally resonate with those of Arsène et les Pipelettes. Passing things on, openness to others, and discovery are all values we are passionate about celebrating, in our own way, through our collections and our encounters.
It was actually when she became a mother that Andrea discovered the brand.
“At that time, we were still living in the United States, but every time we came back to France for holidays, I loved discovering beautiful French brands. That’s how I came across their boutique in Hossegor.”
An inspiring encounter
Our meeting with Andrea comes to an end after a truly inspiring conversation. Before leaving, she shares with us the mantra that guides her every day: “Trust the process.”
As she explains: “Sometimes you have to accept falling in order to rise again, keep moving forward, and trust in time. In the end, things often find their own place.” A beautiful way to bring this encounter to a close.
A huge thank you to Andrea and her daughter Mia for opening the doors of their home to us and for sharing, with such sincerity, a little piece of their everyday life.
