Women in Business: Spotlight on Sandrine Hueber of Sand-rions
Let’s hear from Sandrine Hueber, founder of Sand-rions! A female entrepreneur and mother who has successfully balanced work and passion. It’s a concept that immediately appealed to Muriel Berradia—an idea she wanted to share with you!
Could you tell us about your concept and your background?
After a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry spanning more than fifteen years, I decided to devote myself to my two passions: children and Paris!
Sand’rions These are cultural outings we organize through scavenger hunts that transport our young participants and their parents to medieval Paris, allowing them to discover life in Lutetia, learn about the history of Paris’s bridges, and explore the covered arcades… Equipped with a roadbook, the children play the role of adventurers and travel through the centuries, exploring music, art, architecture, and literature. Regular breaks allow them to make crafts related to the outing’s theme, send photos and little notes to their parents to share the moment with them, and have a snack.
How did you come up with the idea for children's outings?
As a little girl, I found history classes boring and didn’t understand why we jumped from one era to another without any direct connection, with everything all mixed up. And I had a hard time learning my lessons. Today, I’ve become passionate about the history of France and Paris!
When I had my daughter, I decided to take her regularly to museums or to visit key sites in our history, but each time I’d come up with a game so she wouldn’t find it boring and would stay interested. That’s when I realized that learning is easier when you’re having fun! So I wanted to share this experience with other children. Today, the concept is up and running, and I’m reaching out to both children and parents who want to spend quality time with their kids by letting us guide them for half a day. My program is also open to companies that offer these tours to their employees and their children as Christmas gifts! It’s both cultural and family-friendly—bosses and employees alike are thrilled!
What are the criteria for selecting outing locations?
First and foremost, I base my activities on the children’s school curriculum. Each field trip focuses on an era, a period, a historical figure, or a place that has made its mark on French history! And these topics are covered in elementary school and early middle school.
What is the flagship product?
The kids’ favorite outing is, above all, the tour of the Paris sewers! Next comes the tour where we discover our famous deceased figures through the cemetery-museums, and finally, the tour of the Opéra Garnier!
What's coming up next for you?
The next big news is the launch of a new tour—a scavenger hunt for the Christmas break—dedicated to the Saint-Louis neighborhood of Versailles. Few Parisians are truly familiar with this area. Yet it’s a major attraction! Children will explore, in turn, the cathedral, the Salle du Jeu de Paume, the Potager du Roy, and finally the palace courtyard!
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A thousand thanks to Sandrine Hueber for her time! We hope you like this idea and that it might inspire you to come up with a lovely gift!
