Found Paris

Many thanks to Found Paris for this portrait of Amélie and the gallery!

AMÉLIE DU CHALARD • founder • Galerie Amélie du Chalard
Neighborhood you work in: Saint Germain des Prés
Neighborhood you live in: South Pigalle & Montmartre

It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
It’s a quiet, beautiful Friday morning at the gallery. The sun is just starting to shine through the large windows, casting soft light over the room. I’m in a lovely space in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, with a view of a peaceful garden that always feels like a bit of an escape from the busy city life. I’ve just opened the doors, and the gallery is still calm, but I know the weekend will bring in more visitors eager to discover our current exhibition.

Today, I’m preparing for a private viewing later this afternoon, so I’m double-checking the arrangements and hangings and making sure everything is in place. I’m not a big fan of the work-from-home mix — I prefer being close to my team and to be on site, so I tend to spend most of my time at the gallery, engaging with clients, curating, and ensuring the space feels inviting.

What’s on the agenda for today?
I’m having lunch with a client at a delicious Japanese restaurant near the office, Azabu. After a busy afternoon of meetings, I’ll go home to see my children and be there to tuck them into bed. I rode my bike to get here and it's a beautiful ride, even when it’s dark in the evening. I cross the Seine, pass through the Cour Carrée of the Louvre, then go by the Opera before heading up towards Montmartre.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
My husband is Napolitan, so we’re on a mission to try all the Italian restaurants in Paris. Tonight, we’re checking out the one at Cheval Blanc, La Langosteria. Tomorrow, we’re heading to the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay with the kids — it's the best place near Paris to unwind. The hotel is absolutely magical, the historic site is incredible, and the service is impeccable. If you ever visit Paris, extend your stay to spend at least one night there. You’ll remember their Sunday brunch for the rest of your life. It’s only 40 minutes from Paris, so it’s easy to get to, even by taxi.

How about a little leisure or culture?
I love sports, even though I don’t get to do enough of it. I play tennis once a week and otherwise, I run whenever I can. I’ve just started doing reformer pilates at Studio Ritual near the office — I'll keep you updated on how it goes. As for culture, you can imagine I’m well served. I make it a point to visit all the exhibitions in Paris. The last one I saw was earlier this week at the Fondation Giacometti. The place is absolutely charming and definitely worth the visit. It’s also right across from the Fondation Cartier.

Any weekend getaways?
Besides the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay, another very charming one — a bit more laid-back and less fancy — is Le Barn, also about 45 minutes from Paris. Otherwise, we’ve been going more and more to Normandy on weekends, where we have a house. It’s in Étretat, known for its extraordinary cliffs — definitely worth the visit. Nearby, you can visit Honfleur and Yport, and for the party-lovers, they can go all the way to Deauville.

What was your last great vacation?
My last amazing trip, three months ago, was to Matera in Italy (fly into Bari, in Puglia). It’s an emotional shock to discover this city carved and built into the limestone rock, completely troglodyte, nestled in the middle of a lush, almost exotic landscape. You absolutely have to stay at Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita. After two days in Matera, I recommend taking a detour along the Puglia coast (Ostuni, Lecce, and more).

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
An artwork by Georgia Russell.