Camille Yolaine
A locals guide through Paris, France with Faithfull Girl Camille Yolaine as we discover the best vintage shops, patisseries and local travel destinations Paris has to offer.
“Describe a typical weekend for you in Paris:”
I am lucky to live in a part of the 20th arrondissement that feels like a small village, and on the weekends I love to go to the Sunday market on place de la Reunion. It’s also a very lively place full of cool cafés (such as Le Café Sans Nom) and good restaurants (La Vierge de la Réunion) for morning coffee reading a book in the sun on the terrasse. I also love long walks around Paris on the weekend because it’s a good way to unwind and see beautiful scenery, or I go to the cinema or theatre.
“Where are your favourite vintage stores to shop?”
There’s this shop I really like near Saint Michel called Sous les Pavés le Vintage. The owner is lovely and she has such a good selection. Last summer I found an amazing rainbow crochet dress there, she also has wonderful vintage nightgowns. And for decoration one of my best friends, Daphné, is the founder of La Brocante de Farine. She used to sell online only but now she has an atelier in the 20th and she’s the best at finding absolute gems! I never leave without something.
“A locals guide to the best French patisseries to visit:”
My personal favourites are Mamiche (rue de Condorcet and rue de Château d’Eau). They are really friendly and their pastries are to die for. Also, the cinnamon Babka from Babka Zana is such a treat. And of course the more traditional desserts from Stohrer rue de Montorgueil, the oldest boulangerie of Paris, which was founded by a man from Alsace like me!
“The French musicians you have on repeat: ”
I really am into vintage music such as Michel Berger, France Gall, Michel Legrand, Etienne Daho, Alain Souchon, Françoise Hardy… I listened to them when I was a baby and I still do now ! As I’m very fond of words, it really moves me to listen to music that has beautiful lyrics. I also love musicals from Jacques Demy and Starmania by Michel Berger and Luc Plamondon. I love to sing and I know them by heart. For more recent music I love Clara Luciani, Janie and Juliette Armanet.
“What are some of your favourite local travel destinations around France?”
We are so lucky to live in a country with so many different landscapes. Of course as I’m from Alsace I would definitely recommend going to Colmar and the cute villages around. Then I love Provence because I used to spend my summers there as a child, in the region of Grignan. And recently I discovered Britanny and fell in love with it, Ile de Ré obviously, and the Côte d’Opale in the North.
“Your favourite French wine would have to be:”
I only drink red wine, and I love burgundy. But the way to my heart is a really good cider.
“Your favourite French quote:”
"Il est grand temps de rallumer les étoiles", by Apollinaire. Whenever I feel a bit down I think of this and it lightens up my mood.
