What does the word ‘Paris’ evoke for you?

The vivid memory of opening my first Parisian restaurant in 1996, and the ever-renewed admiration for the city’s thousand and one faces.

Your first memory of Paris?

It goes back to 1975. I had just joined Michel Guérard in Eugénie-les-Bains and, in winter, I worked for Gaston Lenôtre. The conditions were tough, but the 18-year-old me was content.

Where do you feel most at home?  

Everywhere. The variety of neighborhoods is one of the charms of Paris.

What makes a true Parisian?

It’s not a matter of birth. It’s a matter of the heart.

Who do you think best embodies Paris?

Of all the names I can think of, Carole Bouquet stands out. She personifies charm, intelligence, sensitivity, and distinction.

Your favorite breakfast place?

A café terrace, early in the morning, with the first ray of sunshine and from where I can see Paris waking up.

Where are the best boutiques?

I love the Left Bank for its bookshops, fashion boutiques, and especially its design stores.

Who would be your dream guest for a dinner party?

I’d be delighted to dine with Tony Estanguet [canoeist and president of the Paris 2024 Olympics]. He’s achieved two feats in his life: winning three gold medals in his specialty and masterfully pulling off the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Where do you go out in Paris?

My favorite outing is a stroll along the banks of the Seine. The views over Paris are splendid and always different depending on the time of day and the season.

What work of art best represents Paris?

Strangely enough, my favorite monument is the obelisk on the Place de la Concorde. I admit that this is an unexpected choice, given that it’s not a French monument, nor even a particularly ancient one. Perhaps I’m more sensitive to the majesty of the Place itself and the remote origins of this work?

What is the craziest thing you have heard or seen in the streets of Paris?

I visited the most amazing forest in Paris. In fact, it was the roof structure of Notre-Dame Cathedral, nicknamed ‘the forest.’ What’s more, I visited it on the morning of April 15, 2019, just before the fire that broke out that evening.

What can you only do in Paris?

Have the pleasure of hesitating when faced with an extraordinary choice of restaurants.

What do you miss most when you are far from Paris?

Paris, quite simply!

Your best advice for someone visiting the city?

Take your time and be curious.