Person of the Moment – Christian Constant

With several restaurants on rue Saint-Dominique, fans say it will soon be re-named rue Constant! And, as the flagship “Violon d’Ingres” re-opens, following a handsome makeover by architect Luis Aleluia, BUZZ took the opportunity to ask the chef, affectionately referred to as “the pitbull” by Generation Constant, the numerous talents he has trained, a few questions.

What are you most proud of in terms of your own achievement?
To be able to pass on my craft.

What’s your secret talent?
Le Pétanque!

Where were you born?
Montauban, south-west France. The same place as the artist Ingres

A local person you admire is?
Auguste Eiffel

Your favourite Paris is?
The Sunday morning markets across the city

An object that every Parisien should own?
A two wheeler bike, otherwise they’ll never get anywhere!

Your favourite Paris lunch spot is?
The Bristol terrace

Best address for coffee or a glass of wine?
Café Constant of course!

Where do you buy your clothes?
I love going to Ralph Lauren for the big occasions

Where do you shop for produce/groceries?
My fruit and vegetables chez Haricot Vert
My tins of sardines from L’Epicier du Gros Caillou
My fish from Chez la Sablaise, rue Cler, 7th
My beef from La Boucherie La Nivernaise

Which is your favourite Paris neighbourhood?
The 7th

Most fun thing to do in Paris is?
Going to the theatre, there’s so much choice.

What’s the “touristy” thing you’d secretly like to do in Paris, but haven’t?
Explore Les Egouts de Paris (the underground sewer complex) even though I live nearby!

What’s the most “touristy” thing you’ve done in Paris?
Oh la la! Le Moulin Rouge with my lovely nieces, we had a ball!

Best “Life Lesson” you’ve learned?
Never take anything for granted

I can’t live without?
My lovely wife and my beautiful children.

Three words to live by?
Passion, discipline, work

One thing, if you could change the world?
No more unemployment

One thing you wish Parisiens would stop moaning about?
The weather!

Favourite Film?
La Vache et le Prisonnier (The Cow & I) with Fernandel.  My father took me to see it when I was small, such a happy time, such lovely memories.

Favourite City (other than Paris)
Toulouse, the Pink city.

You have 25€ left. How will you spend it?
A bonne baguette, a thick slice of country ham and a glass good of red wine

A favourite website?
For holidays I/we (with my wife Catherine and our family) always go to Tours by Locals, a great way of discovering new places and faces.

An annual event you never miss is?
The Six Nations Rugby Tournament..

Which is the one place you HAVE to take an out-of-town guest to, in Paris?
The Champs Elysées.

Maison Constant