052 VIRGIN AUSTRALIA MAY 2017
BUSINESS ON THE ROAD
A thriving scented candle business keeps
the eternal flame of home burning for expat
Frenchwoman Elise Pioch Balzac.Scents of Place
PIOCH BALZAC’S GUIDE TO PARIS
E
lise Pioch Balzac, founder of the Sydney-based
brand Maison Balzac, creates perfumed handmade
candles as an ode to her childhood memories.
The perfumer moved from France to Australia
in 2004, and it was a sentimental yearning for her homeland
that convinced her to attempt to capture the memories of
her upbringing in fragrance and beeswax.
“They are like Proust’s madeleine for me,” she says of
her candles, which are stocked in 120 stores around the
world, including Selfridges in London, the Conran Shop in
Paris and The Apartment by The Line in New York. Where
French novelist Marcel Proust worked in prose, Pioch Balzac
uses scent to concoct sensory encounters.
As she oversees the expansion of her Balzac Maison
brand, Pioch Balzac is now adding other new homeware
and lifestyle items to her extensive wax and wick collection,
including mouth-blown coloured glasses, books and
beautifully sot llama and Merino wool throws.
Frequent trips to France reignite the inspiration of the
dual French and Australian citizen. “Everything I do originates
from my French background, so it only makes sense to share
my time between Australia and France, to keep the flow of
creativity genuine and accurate,” she says.GETTING THERE VIRGIN AUSTRALIA OFFERS FLIGHTS TO
PARIS WITH ITS CODESHARE PARTNERS ETIHAD AIRWAYS AND
SINGAPORE AIRLINES. TO BOOK, VISIT WWW.VIRGINAUSTRALIA.
COM OR CALL 13 67 89 (IN AUSTRALIA).STAY
I love staying atHôtel Caron de
Beaumarchais(12 rue Vieille du
Temple; http://www.carondebeaumarchais.
com). It’s in the heart of Le Marais,
so I can walk everywhere from
there — it’s a 15-minute walk
to my favourite homeware
boutique,Merci(111 Boulevard
Beaumarchais; http://www.merci-merci.
com), and a 10-minute stroll to the
tranquilplace des Vosges. Most
importantly, the hotel is tiny, so
the service is very personal. The
decor takes you back to the 18th
century; think floral wallpaper
and a crystal chandelier. I love it.
VISIT
If I am in Paris for a short period of
time, I will make sure to visit any
of the churches near the hotel to
light a candle and make a wish. If
I stay a little longer, I love stopping
on rue des Martyrs to buy a
baguette, cheeses and a bottle of
wine on my way to Montmartre.
Once at the top of the hill, I sit on
the lawn in front of the Basilique
du Sacré-Cœur (35 rue du Chevalier
de la Barre; http://www.sacre-coeur-
montmartre.com) — the view is
incredible. I cannot go to the city
without visiting the perfumery
L’Oficine Universelle Buly (6 rue
Bonaparte; http://www.buly1803.com).The way in which [entrepreneur]
Ramdane Touhami has recreated
a 19th-century oicine [dispensary]
is mind-blowing.
SHOP
When it comes to shopping,
Leclaireur boutiques (various
locations throughout Paris; http://www.
leclaireur.com) are a priority.
The dark, timeless interiors and
faultless fashion curation mean
it’s nearly impossible to walk
away without buying something.
Colette (213 rue Saint Honoré;
http://www.colette.fr) is another
compulsory stop — it still has an
absolute point of diference and
collates the most unusual and
desirable pieces from around the
world. I also love going through the
many flea markets that pop up in
the city. I always manage to find
old silver spoons, velvet covered
books and other eclectic treasures.
EAT & DRINK
Petrelle restaurant (34 rue Petrelle;
http://www.petrelle.fr) is an old favourite
of mine. The fact a [resident] cat
welcomes you every night, and
each table displays old books to
read while you eat, is very special.
Needless to say, everything on
the handwritten menu of market-
fresh ingredients is delicious.WORDSGEORGINA SAFEPHOTOGRAPHYJACQUI TURKILLUSTRATIONGREGORY BALDWIN/THE ILLUSTRATION ROOM