OPHÉLIE MEUNIER

Serial Traveler

Journalist and consultant Ophélie Meunier is a seasoned traveller, whether for professional or personal reasons. Here she shares her habits and some of her favourite destinations.

Chardon Paris regularly interviews women and men about their travel habits and what they like to carry with them. Ophélie Meunier, a young Parisian woman, former journalist for ELLE, and now a freelance consultant, tells us how she travels...

Who are you? 

I am Ophélie, I am 34 years old. I have lived in Paris since I was 17, and I am expecting my first child! Otherwise, I am a journalist at heart, I worked for 7 years at ELLE magazine, in the fashion section of the digital magazine that I ended up managing. I've been a freelancer for over 4 years. In concrete terms, I still do some freelance work (more out of passion than to earn money!) and I collaborate with brands in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, well-being and even architecture. I help them define a sustainable editorial strategy, I put words to their desires and needs, on their websites, sometimes their brand blogs etc. It's very varied, really exciting! 

How often do you travel? 

Thanks to this (new) freelance life, which is starting to last a bit (!), I'm lucky enough to be able to move when I want, and pretty much where I want. There's only one drawback: I always have my laptop with me and I'm always the first to ask for the wifi code. I work everywhere, and therefore a bit all the time. I'm never really 100% on holiday, but I go wherever I want. The counterpart is not unpleasant. As for frequency, it depends. I travelled a lot last year, I went to Thailand, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy... nothing makes me happier than going to the sun in winter.

Business or personal travel? 

When I was working at ELLE, I used to go on business trips from time to time, and it was a dream! I discovered so many places because of it. Since I'm a freelancer, I travel a lot too, maybe even more, but it's personal. Well, a little bit professional though, as I work. The only difference is that I pay for my plane tickets! 

Carry-on or checked luggage? 

I admire those who can go away for a week with a carry-on bag and "have it all". I am clearly unable to do that. Last year I went to a yoga festival in Syracuse for 5 days, I didn't take a checked bag. I loved travelling light, but I still remember it because it never happens to me... 

How do you fill it? Do you have any tips on how to avoid being overloaded? 

I would love to have some tips! I usually take them, I don't give them away ;) I'm a bit of a neat freak so I roll my clothes rather than folding them, it saves space and makes them wrinkle less. But I have a HUGE problem with my toiletry bag. It always weighs 3kg, when I don't have several... one for face products, one for the evening routine, a make-up bag, a bag with products that can leak such as shampoo etc and I find it hard not to take my hairdryer which is of course quite bulky. I need help! haha

What do you always have on hand when you travel? 

Lip/face/hand moisturiser, headphones and my eye mask on the plane, something to read, my phone battery fully charged. 

At the airport, how do you handle the security check? 

As I am busy but organised, I dress lightly and comfortably. I wear shoes that are easy to take off, comfortable, not too tight and my computer, which I will have to take out, is stored in its case, but again, everything is planned to make it quick and easy. I am a robot at the security checkpoint, I take out several lockers at once on the carpet, jacket, shoes, computer, passport and hop, in 1 minute it is done. 

A travel anecdote?

A few years ago I was travelling on business to New York for work. I was sitting next to a rather elderly gentleman who told me about his life... he had had a thousand lives, all over the world, the flight went by in a flash. We even met again in Paris for tea afterwards. I will always remember that. 

A favourite destination? 

Without hesitation the United States, I can't say why, I love going there since I was a teenager. I've been lucky enough to go there quite a few times, on the East or West Coast and even in states completely lost in the middle of the country, it was very different but I loved it just as much... I've discovered some wonderful places in the last few years that have made an impression on me like Guatemala, Brazil, Bali etc. but I don't miss anything like the US when I don't go there for a year or more.

Otherwise, my favourite and more accessible destination is Brittany, near Saint-Malo, where I've been going since I was a child. We have a family house right next to the beach, you can hear the waves from your bed. It's my place of refuge.

photo of the Breton spot ©Ophélie Meunier

Your next trip? 

We were supposed to do a road trip to New England this summer. With Covid, pregnancy and all, we had to cancel that holiday plan. I think my next trip will be to Brittany, and I'm looking forward to it!

Photo ©Ophélie Meunier

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