The Hilaire Philosophy: Travel as a mindset
Hilaire Experiences is not defined by the places on a map, but by a philosophy of travel. A journey is measured less by where you go than by how fully you are there in the pace that lets time soften, the silence that restores clarity, and the people who make a place feel real. Luxury, to us, is not accumulation. It is intention: expressed through restraint, presence, and encounters that remain with you long after you return.
Value 3 — A Philosophy Rooted in Impermanence
Hilaire Experiences is built on a simple truth: nothing is permanent.
Inspired by Buddhist and Taoist wisdom, we approach travel as a practice that enables us to meet life with clearer eyes and a softer heart. As the Buddha reminds us, “All conditioned things are impermanent.” It is not a religious statement so much as a human one: when we truly understand that everything passes, we begin to live more awake.
In a world that accelerates everything, we choose the opposite: to slow down, to notice, to listen and to be changed. Because the most meaningful journeys are not measured by distance or status, but by what they awaken within us: gratitude, humility, courage, tenderness and the quiet realization that time is passing, which is precisely why each moment matters.
Value 1 — Presence as the Ultimate Luxury
In a world that accelerates everything, presence has become rare wealth. We design travel that restores it — not through more, but through better: deeper attention, fewer distractions, and moments that are truly lived. When attention is fully engaged, travel changes quality: experience becomes meaning, and meaning becomes memory. That lasting imprint is the Hilaire standard.
Value 2 — Designed With Behavioral Intelligence
In a world that accelerates everything, presence has become rare wealth. We design travel that restores it — not through more, but through better: deeper attention, fewer distractions, and moments that are truly lived. When attention is fully engaged, travel changes quality: experience becomes meaning, and meaning becomes memory. That lasting imprint is the Hilaire standard.
Value 4 — Redefining Luxury Travel
Hilaire Experiences is built on a simple truth: nothing is permanent.
Inspired by Buddhist and Taoist wisdom, we approach travel as a practice that enables us to meet life with clearer eyes and a softer heart. As the Buddha reminds us, “All conditioned things are impermanent.” It is not a religious statement so much as a human one: when we truly understand that everything passes, we begin to live more awake.
In a world that accelerates everything, we choose the opposite: to slow down, to notice, to listen and to be changed. Because the most meaningful journeys are not measured by distance or status, but by what they awaken within us: gratitude, humility, courage, tenderness and the quiet realization that time is passing, which is precisely why each moment matters.
Value 5 — Meaningful Action Beyond the Journey
Transformative travel does not end when the journey ends. We believe the true trace of travel should be left not on the destination, but within the traveler: a shift in perspective, a renewed sense of responsibility, and a deeper connection to culture, place, and humanity.
The most powerful journeys change what happens after you return, how you live, how you consume, how you relate to the world, and how you treat your own time. Travel becomes a catalyst for a better life, not an escape from it.
For our clients, this is the highest form of value: an experience that continues to enrich everyday life long after the itinerary is over.
Entrepeneur, Engineer & Designer Trio
Hilaire Experiences is a family story built on trust, passion, and decades of expertise.
It all began with Thatoe Hilaire, a trailblazer with over 30 years in the tourism industry, who dedicated her life to connecting people and cultures through meaningful journeys. From her pioneering work across Asia and Europe to founding one of the first Burmese travel companies to operate internationally, she has spent her career creating experiences that leave lasting impressions.
Following in her footsteps, her son Swam Hilaire brings a new generation’s creativity, storytelling, and design sensibility to the family legacy. Together, they built Hilaire Experiences: a Paris-based travel atelier where journeys are crafted with care and authenticity.
Our family works hand-in-hand with a trusted network of guides, artisans, chefs, and hoteliers to ensure that every experience is seamless, thoughtful, and unforgettable.
Trust the Hilaire and their team to open doors to a France most travelers will never see , a France full of hidden stories, timeless beauty, and meaningful encounters. Because with us, you’re not just a client , you’re part of the story too.
Three disciplines. One standard of travel.
-
Founder
A pioneer of Burmese tourism and the founder of Authentic Myanmar, Thatoe Hilaire has spent over three decades crafting journeys that reveal the soul of her homeland. Her vision and grace laid the foundation for a family legacy dedicated to authenticity, hospitality, and cultural excellence.
-
Executive Advisor
With more than thirty years as a senior engineer executive at Groupe PSA, Philippe Hilaire brings the rigor, structure, and reliability of French industry to the company. His strategic insight ensures that Hilaire Experiences operates with precision, discipline, and enduring trust.
-
Business Developer
Educated at the École des Arts Décoratifs and the Sorbonne, Swam Hilaire represents the new generation of the family. Bridging fashion, art, and travel, he reimagines the brand as a modern travel maison - where every journey is designed with the artistry and refinement of haute couture.
Rooted in paris, Expanding worldwide
Located just minutes from the heart of Paris, Hilaire Experiences operates from a city that has always been at the crossroads of culture, art, and travel. Our atelier’s strategic location allows us to work hand in hand with our trusted network of guides, artisans, chefs, and hoteliers — ensuring every journey is seamless, authentic, and deeply personal.
What began as a family-led boutique agency is now evolving into a global travel house, expanding our reach across Europe, Asia, and North Africa while staying true to the intimacy and craftsmanship that define us. This is only the beginning and we invite you to grow with us.
FAQs
-
Hilaire Experiences is a Paris-based travel maison specializing in bespoke journeys across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Each itinerary is curated with the precision of haute couture, blending culture, art, gastronomy, and design into transformative travel experiences.
-
We do not sell pre-made packages. Every journey is designed from scratch around your tastes, interests, and lifestyle. Our Franco-Burmese heritage allows us to blend European refinement with Eastern sensibility, offering experiences that are intimate, meaningful, and beautifully orchestrated.
-
Hilaire Experiences was founded by Thatoe Hilaire, a pioneer in Burmese tourism and founder of Authentic Myanmar. Her son Swam Hilaire, designer and creative director, re-imagines travel through the lens of fashion and art. Philippe Hilaire brings the discipline and structure of French industry to ensure excellence at every level.
-
We curate experiences across Europe, Asia, and North Africa, with signature itineraries in France, Italy, Greece, Morocco, and Myanmar. Each destination is chosen for its cultural depth, beauty, and emotional resonance.
A Legacy of Travel, Culture and Elegance.
Hilaire Experiences was born from a family story that transcends borders and generations. Rooted in a shared passion for discovery, craftsmanship and culture, it embodies the art of travel as a timeless expression of refinement.
The story began with Thatoe ThuZarAung Hilaire, a visionary Burmese entrepreneur who founded Authentic Myanmar in 2011. Guided by her pioneering spirit, she revealed the hidden beauty of her homeland to the world, creating journeys defined by authenticity, grace and attention to detail.
Her legacy continues through her son Swam Hilaire, a Paris-based designer educated at the École des Arts Décoratifs and the Sorbonne. Inspired by his Franco-Burmese heritage, he brings a contemporary perspective that merges fashion, art and travel into a seamless universe of curated experiences. Under his direction, Hilaire Experiences becomes a modern travel maison, where each itinerary is imagined with the precision of haute couture.
Alongside them, Philippe Hilaire, a senior executive with over three decades at Groupe PSA, lends the structure, discipline and reliability of French industry. His presence ensures that every Hilaire journey is grounded in trust, quality and excellence.
Together, the Hilaire family unites tradition and innovation, East and West, artistry and expertise - offering travelers not merely a voyage, but an experience of elegance and meaning.