AT A WILDCRAFTING ARTISAN'S HOME
Clément Breton
VENISE NORMANDE
Photographed by Alexis Barsus
Can you tell us about the location you took us to for this shoot? Who owns it?
We're on a farm in the heart of Venise Normande, at the home of my friend Pierre-Edouard Robine. A farmer, or rather a craftsman, he harvests wild flowers and edible wild plants for top restaurants and more modest establishments, with a real regional commitment. He also produces natural sparkling apple and pear wines.
Do you have any memories of this house?
I have several. I like to come and visit Pierre-Edouard regularly and lend a hand when he needs it. I'll always remember the first time I came. We were accompanied by another friend, Japanese chef Masahide Ikuta (Restaurant Donna) and his wife. After a long lunch in the sun, we all set off on a wild foraging trip - it was the height of wild garlic season! There was a sea of little white flowers right in the middle of the forest in a corner that only P-E knows the secret of...then we went oxalis picking before finishing with a tasting of the new cuvées of natural sparkling wine. Everything was perfect...
How do you express your relationship with nature on a daily basis?
I’m not going to lie to you, it's pretty complicated living in Paris.
Being of Breton origin, the word "nature" refers to the sea, waves, storms and so on. I try to go there regularly, but I'd like to spend more time there... Particularly in Belle-Ile-En-Mer, where I have a lot of memories...
I'm also lucky enough to have a wife - Kaitlyn Reinhart - who has a very special relationship with nature, thanks to her profession and also to her state of mind. She's a vegetarian chef and wild forager. We share a lot of things together. She allows me to have a different approach on many subjects.
Does this translate into the way you dress?
I live in Paris and my clothes tend to be casual. To be honest, I mainly wear vintage pieces, out of passion but also because it's been part of my job for almost 10 years as Brand Image manager at BRUT Archives. I like pieces that have lived well, that have been damaged, that have a real patina, very distinctive.
Every purchase is carefully considered, and I only buy heart-stoppers. On the rare occasions when I want to get my hands on a "new" piece, I approach brands that have real know-how or that take a particular approach to the choice of their suppliers and/or manufacturers...
What are your current projects?
I'm going to be a father soon, which is what I'd call the project of a lifetime...!
We know you love good food. Do you have any recommendations for restaurants in the country or in Paris?
I love going to restaurants, I go 1 to 3 times a week! Here are my favorites from this year:
COUNTRY
1 / Le Doyenné in Saint - Vrain 5 Rue Saint-Antoine, 91770 Saint-Vrain
2 / La Ruchotte - Fred Ménager La Ruchotte, 21360 Bligny-sur-Ouche
3 / L' Auberge de la Roche Valdeblore - La Roche, 06420 Valdeblore
PARIS
1 / Le Bistro des tournelles - 6 Rue des Tournelles, 75004 Paris
2 / Le Bistro Paul Bert - 18 Rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris
3 / Donna - 157 Rue Saint-Martin, 75003 Paris
4 / Le cheval d'or - 21 Rue de la Villette, 75019 Paris
