The startup Letters from an Explorer offers a monthly epistolary adventure to introduce 7-12 year olds to the world, far from the screens.
At a time when screens play a major role in young people’s daily lives, a French initiative offers to reconnect with the magic of postal mail to awaken their curiosity. The startup Lettres d’un Explorateur has developed a monthly subscription concept for 7-12 year olds, centered on the adventures of an imaginary explorer, Lucien. Each month, the child receives a real letter in his name which transports him to a new destination, thus promoting a taste for reading, general culture and openness to the world. Success has been achieved, with already more than 20,000 letters sent to more than 3,000 monthly readers, covering more than 25 countries.
An immersive and tangible experience
Far from ephemeral digital content, each shipment is designed as a precious and durable object. The child discovers in his mailbox an old-looking envelope containing a handwritten account of Lucien’s adventures, a hand-painted map by the artist Manon Aubin retracing his journey, as well as exploration notes enriched with games and riddles. A passport to complete and stickers to collect for each country visited complete this tangible experience. This approach aims to recreate an expected meeting, a personal and complicit link between the child and the explorer, while stimulating their artistic sensitivity through the beauty of handcrafted illustrations.
Pedagogy and openness to the world
Each letter is a gateway to a new culture. From the volcanoes of Iceland to the treasures of Jordan, Lucien’s stories are documented and adapted to a young audience. They address landscapes, languages, local customs, culinary traditions, but also the emotions and encounters that mark a trip. The epistolary format allows knowledge to be transmitted in a lively and personal way. For complete immersion, each letter is also accompanied by its audio version, where Lucien himself recounts his adventures. The objective is clear: learn while having fun, develop your concentration and enrich your imagination, all without any exposure to screens.
The testimony of the families
The concept quickly found its audience among parents and grandparents keen to offer an educational and fun alternative. The feedback testifies to the enthusiasm of young readers. HAS” He is so happy every month to receive his letter! There are cries of joy every time he discovers it in the mailbox. He also made an album with all his letters. A big thank you for these moments of happiness and enthusiasm that you bring to him », shares Cécile R., mother of Léopold.
Same story with another family : « I subscribed the whole family! The children loved writing their first name with the Greek alphabet! They had a good laugh imagining the octopus drying on the washing lines and can’t wait to discover the next destination of their new friend, Lucien. » says Karine H., mother of Jules and Sophie.
An accessible economic model
The ambition of Letters from an Explorer is to “create lasting games and memories for life”. To make the adventure accessible, several options are offered. It is possible to test the concept with a €2 trial letter. The monthly subscription is then available from €7.90. 6-month (€44.90) and 12-month (€79.90) packs are also available to extend your exploration. The startup thus intends to demonstrate that with imagination and quality support, it is possible to shape the curiosity of tomorrow’s citizens, one letter at a time.
All information and subscription packages are available on the official website: https://lettresdunexplorer.fr
