Meet & Explore: Make Friends

Okay, I have to tell you about this.

You remember my first months in Pau. Weekends were me, my phone, and everyone else's stories. I tried the dating apps "just for friends", and every hello turned into a flirt by the second message. The big local groups had hundreds of members and nobody actually showing up.

Then a colleague showed me Meet & Explore. Honestly? I rolled my eyes. Another app. But there was no feed to scroll. There was a sunset walk on Tuesday, and I could see the faces of everyone going.

I almost didn't go. I stood on the corner telling myself I could still turn back. Then a woman with a flask of tea waved me over like we'd known each other for years. By the second viewpoint I'd forgotten I was nervous.

What made me relax enough to say yes: the host had verified who she was with a selfie, I knew exactly who'd be there, and there are groups and events just for women. Everyone is there to meet up, not to chat forever.

And it didn't stop at one nice evening. The next Tuesday they'd saved me a spot. Now there's a Friday game night that gets a little loud, and a Sunday hike where we stop at every view. Not strangers you never see again: the same faces, week after week, until they're your people.

Last month I hosted my first picnic. Someone new in town came, and I got to be the one saying "welcome". And I realized I'd finally found a place where I belong.

So, Tuesday? I'll save you a spot.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND
- Things to do near you, with people who actually want to meet: sunset walks, dinners, game nights, hikes, picnics, language exchanges and sports.
- Small groups that meet again and again, so new faces become friends.
- Groups and events just for women.
- Hosts verify who they are with a selfie or an ID document, and you see who's going before you say yes.
- Your own outing in a minute: date, place, number of spots, a group chat and a waitlist.
- No ads, and we don't sell your data.

New in town, back after years away, or simply ready to meet new people: this is where you make friends in real life, not in another feed.