Spring blossoms
WORK • Friday Routine
VICTOIRE DE POURTALÈS • owner/co-founder • 91530 Le Marais
Neighborhoods you work in: Le Marais/Essonne
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
On Fridays, I work on our art farm, 91530 Le Marais, located less than 50 km from Paris in the lush countryside. As spring arrives, I roll into the weekend windows wide open, sunlight pouring in, and the scent of blossoms in the air. The farm is a space dedicated to exploring life in all its forms — home to exhibitions, agricultural research, and an artist residency. It's where art and nature meet.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Today we’re busy preparing for the upcoming exhibition by Adelaide Cioni, an artist we've been working with for the past three years. Her show opens on April 26, and we’re so excited to share her work with the public. It’s a vibrant, thoughtful project that brings together textile, drawing, and a sense of playful rhythm.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
The area is full of nice places we get to go to for various events. We’ll have lunch in Dourdan — famous for its medieval castle — at the restaurant La Table de Blanche, and will go for a nice walk in the forest. I like to go visit my chef friend James Henry at Le Doyenné. I also like to go to Le Barn for a massage, or the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I’ll likely head out for a long walk through the nearby parks and forest trails around the farm — springtime makes everything feel alive. For culture, we love visiting the exhibitions and concerts at the Château de Chamarande. Recently, we hosted a magical performance by the incredible cellist Bruno Philippe amidst the artworks of artist Edgar Sarin.
Any weekend getaways?
Absolutely! No need to fly when the Forest of Fontainebleau is just a short drive away — it’s lush, grand, and endlessly inspiring. For something a bit further, we love visiting Le Cyclop by Niki de Saint Phalle or Jean Cocteau’s house. And when a birthday calls for something special, Venice is a favorite. We were just there for my husband’s birthday, and saw a stunning exhibition made entirely from hemp. The Italian breeze was the perfect gift.
What was your last great vacation?
Argentina. We explored the country on horseback with our children — a wild, unforgettable adventure across the country. We went to the pampa close to Buenos Aires to explore nature with the gauchos and after had some meetings in Buenos Aires with artists and curators. After that we decided to go to the sea and went to José Ignacio, Uruguay, to see different art residencies and the piece by James Turrell which was a real experience. We loved the restaurant Francis Mallmann - El Garzón.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Weldom! It’s my go-to for tools and home essentials — I could spend hours there.
Where are you donating your time or money?
To the farm, to the artists, and to culture. Supporting creative practices — whether through time, space, or resources — is at the heart of everything we do at 91530 Le Marais.