WORK • Friday Routine
CAROLINE BIA • psychologist
Neighborhood you live in: Passy
It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I'm a psychologist and a sports psychologist, working with high-performance sports organizations. I also teach a few university courses in other cities, in Brest and Dijon, both accessible by train. Depending on the week, I might be meeting with athletes and coaches, providing consultations, or preparing lectures for my students. My workplace shifts between offices in sports facilities and university classrooms, and sometimes, I work from home to catch up on reports or research. I have a little ritual every Friday — I walk my dog at the Bois de Boulogne. It’s a peaceful, nature-filled start to the weekend and it helps me clear my mind before diving into the rest of my busy day.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
No restaurant plans for tonight — I’m going to the Annette K. swimming pool. It’s a unique pool set on a barge, floating on the Seine, which makes for an amazing training environment with beautiful views of Paris. I’m going there as part of my preparation for the Deauville triathlon.
I’m always excited to discover new restaurants, especially Italian ones, and classic French bistros like Paul Chêne or Le Relais de l'Entrecôte.
How about a little leisure or culture?
For a little leisure and culture, I love going to Les Fermes de Gally to pick fruits and vegetables and flowers too. I also really enjoy the various 10K races organized in Paris. So far, my favorite has been the Adidas 10K, which has a great course.
This weekend, I’m planning to visit the AURA exhibition at Les Invalides. It’s an immersive light and sound show that transforms the historic site with stunning visual effects, creating a magical atmosphere. And while it might sound simple, my absolute favorite thing is to take a walk along the Seine at sunset. Watching the sun reflect off the façades of Parisian monuments and buildings is always magical, and a perfect way to end the day even if you’ve lived here your whole life like me.
Any weekend getaways?
A great spot for a weekend trip is Aix-en-Provence. It’s about a three-hour train ride from Paris on the TGV, making it an easy and quick escape. I stayed at the Grand Hôtel Roi René Aix-en-Provence Centre – MGallery, which is a fantastic hotel right in the city center. It’s just a short walk from the famous Cours Mirabeau, a lively street lined with restaurants, cafés, and shops. The atmosphere is charming, perfect for strolling around, enjoying local cuisine, and soaking up the Provençal vibe. Aix-en-Provence is where one of my first conferences on mental health in high-level athletes was held, so I have a soft spot for it. It was a great opportunity to combine work with the charm of the city.
What was your last great vacation?
My last great vacation was in Corfu with my best friend. We had an amazing time exploring the island! We visited the capital, Corfu Town (Kérkyra) and explored the beautiful Achilleion Palace, also known as the House of Sisi. One of the highlights was an excursion to Paxos and Antipaxos, where we saw dolphins, swam in caves, and enjoyed the crystal-clear turquoise waters. We loved dining at a charming restaurant called Taverna, where we had delicious traditional dishes like dolmas, zucchini balls, tzatziki, and halloumi. The sunsets from our hotel were breathtaking, making our stay even more special.