Summer Fridays
ALICE BUREAU • Conservatoire des Hémisphères
WORK • Friday Routine
ALICE BUREAU • founder • Conservatoire des Hémisphères
Neighborhood you live & work in: 5th arr
It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Every Friday, I give myself the luxury of taking the afternoon off and indulging in all the little selfish pleasures I love — exhibitions, strolling through Paris, and doing all the things I won’t have time for over the weekend with my two kids.
What’s on the agenda this weekend?
Our weekends follow a well-loved routine. Saturday mornings start with a long, lazy family lie-in, followed by lunch out with the kids and an afternoon of parks, walks, or exhibitions — whatever will keep them entertained. Sundays are for long walks and the movies. My husband goes all out introducing our kids to cinema through silent films and black-and-white classics. When you’ve never seen anything else, it all feels magical!
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Friday nights are usually for dinner with friends. My go-to spots: Casa Bini, Le Duc, Le Voltaire, Takara, Localino, and Le Grand Bain. With the kids on the weekend, we love: Coffee Parisien, Casa Bini, Livio, Kunitoraya, and Bread & Roses.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I love the Bourdelle Museum and strolling through the Rodin Museum’s garden. But as a design enthusiast, I spend more time at flea markets and design galleries than in museums. Another passion of mine? Bookstores. Librairie 7L is a treasure, made even more special by the gentleman who has been running it for 20 years.
Any weekend getaways?
I often escape to my mother’s place near Fontainebleau, or head to Étretat, Deauville, and Trouville to breathe in the sea air. But my ultimate favorite, even for just 48 hours, is Provence.
What was your last great vacation?
Provence for Christmas! It was stunning — winter colors, a deep navy-blue sky, and hikes that feel suffocating in the summer suddenly become the ultimate breath of fresh air.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
A vintage Eames chair, an absolute gem.
What store or service do you always recommend?