"I was lucky enough to have been brought up with a taste for travel by my parents, who wanted us to be curious and exposed to other environments. My father was passionate about deserts, appreciating their immensity, serenity and authenticity. He introduced us to North Africa, Algeria in particular, all the way to Tamanrasset. We met Tuareg tribes. And we often slept under the stars, because Dad had even built a bed on the roof of his Toyota! With my parents and brothers, we also travelled through the national parks of the United States. So travel is something I've always wanted to pass on to my children: to give them the curiosity to discover new horizons, cultures and ways of life. It's one of my educational priorities to take them to see other places.
When I started working after my studies, I did a three-month placement in Panama; I was in my twenties and I was in total immersion, not knowing anyone, living with a Panamanian family. Being fairly resourceful, I was never afraid. Curiosity and independence allowed me to discover the natural beauty of the country. Some time later, I did another two-month work placement in Israel and I didn't hesitate to go to the Sinai, even if it was a bit risky. I've always had this thirst to discover places steeped in history and culture, to get as close as possible to the daily life of the local people.
With all my family, we wanted to explore more distant horizons, especially on cruises, because I love the sea. We went to Polynesia, the Grenadines and the British Virgin Islands five times. On the oceans, you're completely disconnected, in harmony with raw, abundant nature. You discover the authenticity of the people you meet. And you can make a whole meal out of coconuts!
During the last Christmas holidays, I went to Australia with my four children. But because of the appalling weather on the Great Barrier Reef, I had to cancel the programme and we headed for the Outback, the red heart of the continent, where the Aborigines live. The landscapes are arid, and the sacred mountain of Uluru is impressive. We headed down to Kangaroo Island to admire the local wildlife. We didn't have any hotels booked, so one night we slept in the car, but we all loved that side of things. road-trip. The most important thing about a trip is sharing, getting away from it all, finding yourself in unusual situations... so all those memories you create, outside your usual routine, stay with you forever.
I love being in airports, it's always a promise of new discoveries.
Brittany is my home, my cradle and my refuge, the place where we gather with family and friends. The climate there is healthy, and I go on fish and shellfish cures! And lots of sailing, from Belle-Île to Hoëdic or the Gulf of Morbihan. It's always a good excuse to meet up with friends, go for a walk and swim in the invigorating water!
I've travelled a lot professionally, particularly as part of my work in the art world. I've visited art fairs around the world to discover new galleries. I've also been to places that fascinated me... Like the island of Naoshima in Japan, which is home to several contemporary art museums, where you can find harmony, peace, the sea again and again, and the beauty of the works... in situIt's all about communion with nature. Sobriety and good taste are the order of the day, and the buildings designed by the architect Tadao Ando are sober in their lines, and their orientation allows you to contemplate the sunset over the sea. On the neighbouring island of Teshima, I was overwhelmed by the sight of another concrete structure, the Teshima Art Museum, shaped like a drop of water and home to Japanese artist Rei Naito's unique Matrix work, minimal and powerful.
A few weeks ago, from Arles, where I went for the wonderful Photography EncountersI spent the weekend in the South of France because I wanted to discover some of the region's already iconic sites. I went to the Fondation Bernar Venet, a little corner of paradise combining minimal and conceptual art, and to Jean-Gabriel Mitterrand's house in Le Muy, where the garrigue reveals monumental sculptures like Franck Sobrino's, totally in symbiosis with nature. I finished off at Château La Coste, a sublime spot set amidst the vines, where every work of art has its place in a wonderfully restful landscape, culminating at the top of the promenade in Tadao Ando's chapel and Jean-Michel Othoniel's red Murano glass cross. It was a magical, peaceful experience.
ITS KEY DATES :
- 1987: 3-month stay in Panama
- 1997: joins LVMH, Head of International Management Control
- 2006: Graduate of the École du Louvre and a degree in Art History from the Sorbonne
- 2012: Managing Director of PAD Paris and PAD London
- 2014: Director of Paris Photo
| Paris Photo, 20th edition. 180 galleries and publishers representing the fullest possible panorama of the photographic landscape, from its origins to the present day. A major exhibition The Pencil of CultureThe exhibition retraces 10 years of acquisitions by the Centre Pompidou's Cabinet de la Photographie, from Richard Avedon and Marc Riboud to Valérie Belin and Andreas Gursky. There will also be conversations, meetings and artists' signatures.
From 10 to 13 November. Grand Palais. Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris. parisphoto.com |
