Claire Laloue, you are a travel consultant, can you tell us in what consists your activity and what brought you to it ?
Actually, I created my own trade by combining all my passions. I proposed applications of them to company managers who have called them "external relationships", because it was necessary for the beginning to enter an already existing function.
Travels have occupied all my professional life. As a beginning, within a company, with the creation and organization of professional and individual travels “made to measure”, to which press, lobbying, public relations and various missions were added...
I have always had the opportunity to do things my own way, which is a great privilege !
Since when and how, did you discover you had this passion for traveling ?
I can not tell you neither when nor how it appeared. I feel like if I was born with it ; travels are one of my vital functions ! If I am not traveling, I feel as if a part of myself were missing. My suitcase is always waiting close to the door and my passport is always valid !
How was created your " Patrimoine & Gourmandises " collection ?
I proposed, a few years ago, at a concierges’ company in the United States to create for their VIP, exceptional appointments and high level visits, unusual, original, about monumental heritage and gourmet pleasures embodying spirit and the body in the regions of France
They gave me their green light and I have been exploring France for 5 months
It was a wonderful mission. I met talented men and women, cordial, who marvelously played the game and who spoilt me a lot by making me discover their kingdom. I was received like a princess : the passion of their work combined with mine, plus the wish to astonish our guests stimulated the enthusiasm and the creativity of the ones and others
When my mission was finished, I created Patrimoine & Gourmandises, not to leave those marvellous people and to propose my cultural, artistic and gourmet appointments to international customers VIP, in search of true emotions
Who are your guests ?
I like to receive foreign guests, passionate, enthusiastic, refined and curious to discover my country for the interior and to have true meetings with those who are the craftsmen of the excellence of France.
With very comfortably off visitors who leave you any budgetary freedom, lovers of feelings, you can create and organize exciting appointments, with incredible surprises. The emotion held in such tours will not inevitably be expensive !
Vip’s dreams are often not complicated, but they often think they are impossible or do not exist !
What do you enjoy more in your work, and in the organization of these made to measure travels ?
Above all, preparation and exploratory travels in France and abroad : When I receive a request and that I unfold a geographical map, I am feverish. When I build the travel on paper, submerged of documentation, I am as in a laboratory, I am unable to eat, not to go to bed till I give birth to this travel.
Exploratory travels are the top. At these moments I am the happiest, my creativity is boiling and my discoveries and meetings, extraordinary...
Which part of the world which you have visited or lived in, is your favorite ?
I traveled in around fifty countries -passing by Alaska and Antarctica- Without counting the countries where I returned tens of time like the USA and Canada. I like especially cold countries, sovereign nature but also countries with a sumptuous monumental heritage.
I like North and South America, India, Java, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Madagascar, and Mauritius Island when it was a more secret destination... And I am always happy to go back to New-York, Chicago, New-Orleans, Vancouver, Buenos-Aires, Vienna, London, Helsinki, Barcelona and Istanbul...
My future dream destinations are : Lapland, Mongolia, Patagonia, Chile, Iceland, Kamtchatka, Namibia, Nepal and again in Alaska. Also in France : Breton Islands : Sein and Ouessant...
How do you like to travel ?
Alone for my professional travels for a total immersion and concentration, or nicely accompanied in my private travels for a wonderful sharing. Always with documentation on all I do not want to miss, but being also open to all surprises and improvisations. I simply reserve the planes, ships and hotels. The remainder is at the feeling...
I also love to take with me documentary makers and press people to discover treasures...
Some astonishing travel memories ?
I have so many ones ! A squadron of a dozen of whales which passed in front of me, at midnight, while I was contemplating the ocean from my balcony, on a cruise ship along Alsaka coasts...To walk on Antarctica ground... Masses and gospels in Louisiana and in Harlem a long time ago... 13 meter high waves when crossing Cap Horn. Night watches with officers on board of ships... Welcome and availability of American people when we want to discover their country... The contemplation of Java from the temple of Borobudur with my son
Which is the most beautiful compliment that one made you after one of your travels ?
The same comment by all the VIP I received : " we had forgotten true emotions and warmth of true human contacts, we found them again with you and those you made us meet...
When and how can we know your travel programs ?
I do not have programs since I make the travels to measure, according to the dreams and tastes of my guests. I build their travel around their personality, wishes, dreams and passions... I have examples of what I can propose, or of appointments that I organized for my VIP guests. I can be reached easily !
Which are your travel projects for Fall 2004 ?
I am organizing a cruise in Antarctica for Fall and Winter 2004, but there it is the southern summer ! Also visits in France requested by my foreign VIP clients. I would like to develop the concept " Patrimoine & Gourmandises" in Europe, and for the customers of other continents. I also have an humanitarian project...
A last question, perhaps a little bit obvious... Where do you go for your holidays ?
You say " holidays " ? When I am preparing projects, I do not have any holidays, and I always have projects...
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