Mathilde Favier, the Public Relations Director at Dior, navigates her role with masterful elegance. A quintessential Parisienne, she distils the essence of this mythic lifestyle into her latest literary offering, “Mathilde à Paris” (French Version) or “Living Beautifully in Paris” (English Version) published by Flammarion. In her book, Favier muses, “To be Parisian isn’t merely about being born in Paris—it’s about being reborn there.”
Mathilde, the Quintessential Parisienne
Despite the term’s frequent use, the true Parisienne endures, and Mathilde Favier embodies this archetype flawlessly. Hailing from the chic 16th arrondissement, her social circle is unrivalled. Mathilde’s connections range from Carla Bruni, whom she knows from childhood bus rides to Emmanuelle Alt, the ultra-chic former editor of French Vogue. Her half-sister, Victoire de Castellane, is the renowned jewellery designer at Christian Dior, and their uncle, Gilles Dufour, served as Karl Lagerfeld’s indispensable ally at Chanel. This unassuming luxury unveils the je-ne-sais-quoi charm that defines Parisienne’s allure.
Mathilde in Paris, by Mathilde Favier and Frédérique Dedet, published by Flammarion
Mathilde à Paris, the Book
Mathilde asserts, “A foreigner can indeed feel Parisian, for being Parisian is less about birthright and more about attitude,” highlighting a poised nonchalance that seems almost innate. Radiating sophistication, she fosters a distinctive style profoundly shaped by Paris itself—its ambience and luminescence.
She declares, “I am guided by an ideal vision of Paris. I choose to believe in the enduring magic of timeless places, as well as in the fresh allure of newer locales brimming with charm and poetry.” This pursuit has culminated in her splendid work, Mathilde à Paris. Far more than a mere travelogue, this book is a heartfelt homage to the city that defines her, a journey through the enchanting sites and notable figures that embody the splendor of Paris.
Some Addresses From Mathilde à Paris
1- Le Voltaire
“Le Voltaire is a Parisian institution, but for me, this place has another quality: it’s very rare to be well-received in a restaurant, and here, you are truly welcomed. I know all the waiters by their first names, among them the dashing, irresistible Thierry! They know what I like, my preferred table, this booth in the back where I can see who’s arriving in the dining room from the corner of my eye. The cuisine is bourgeois and classic, delicious, with no nasty surprises. In short, Le Voltaire is for me like a family boarding house.”
Le Voltaire • 27 quai Voltaire 75007 Paris • restaurantlevoltaire.com
2- Le Château de Ma Mère
“My friend Sophie Douzal is a lover of Provence, where she also has a home. For a long time, she wanted to translate this art of living into ready-to-wear and decorative objects. She has done it with a very pretty shop on Rue de Grenelle. I buy summer dresses, lavender-filled cushions which I give as gifts, and coloured glasses that are perfect for the countryside. Sophie has exquisite taste, everything she offers is chic, unpretentious, and charming. It’s a reinterpreted Provence, without the folkloric aspect.”
Le Château de Ma Mère • 84 Bis Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris • lechateaudemamere.com
3- Spa Dior at Plaza Athénée
“Located a stone’s throw from the Dior house, the Plaza Athénée is an easy meeting point for me. I love dining at the Relais but, especially since the Dior spa was refurbished, it has become an essential stopover. Among the treatments offered, there’s the Sleep Therapy program, in the Dior Light suite, a light therapy cabin. I don’t know how it works, but the result is there! You immediately fall asleep in a cocoon of softness. I go there systematically after a trip, to recover from jet lag.”
Hôtel Plaza Athénée • 25 avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris • www.dorchestercollection.com
4- Charvet
“Another iconic address. Founded in 1838, this shop is still family-run. As soon as you cross the threshold, the charm works its magic. The atmosphere of the shop is divinely calm and everything displayed is tempting. The made-to-measure shirts have built the house’s reputation, but what could be more chic than a striped dressing gown, a man’s nightshirt on a woman, these braided cufflinks, these knitted ties, or even these coloured socks to wear with Belgian shoes?”
Charvet • 28, place Vendôme 75001 Paris • +33 1 42 60 30 70 • charvet.com
5- La Galerie Italienne
“Alessandro Pron and Raphaëlla Riboud-Seydoux give young artists a chance, and they have become somewhat my art advisors. With my fiancé, we systematically acquire a piece at each exhibition. I’ve just fallen for an owl by Remy Pommeret, after having bought some glazed earthenware hares. We also really like the ceramist Alice Gavalet, the poetic and botanical world of Ugo Schildge, or even Pietro Ruffo, who has collaborated in the past with Dior and Maria Grazia Chiuri.”
Galerie Italienne • 15 rue du Louvre – 75001 Paris • galerieitalienne.com
6- Bloom Paris
“My sister Pauline created this brand of home linen and ready-to-wear made from hand-printed fabrics in Pondicherry in 2017. Everything there is absolutely charming and affordable. I regularly fall for tablecloths and placemats, which I pair with plates found at the flea markets, silverware, and more precious items. She also offers glasses, laptop pouches, and even a flowered basket for the dog! Not to forget the Mathilde hot water bottle! And if I may share a secret, the Queen of Belgium is a customer…”
Bloom Paris • 7 Rue Nicolo 75116 Paris • bloom-paris.fr
Photos – Mathilde Favier © Pascal Chevallier/Courtesy of Flammarion