Jacques GARCIA

Star decorator Jacques Garcia has waved his style wand over many a Paris hotel and restaurant, redocorating in lavish 19th-century style with a touch of humour. Hôtel Costes, Ladurée on the Champs-Elysées, and more recently the brasserie L’Esplanade and the fashion magnet L’Hôtel, are among his best-known projects, but he is also a favourite of rich and influential private clients such as the Sultan of Brunei. His pride and joy, though, is his château Champ de Bataille in Normandy, which he has completely restored in period style.


How do you recognise a hedonist ?

It’s someone who uses all five senses and who knows how to develop them. Smell, touch, taste... everything stems from that.


How do you cultivate your own hedonism ?

It’s a way of being. There are people who have an aptitude for hedonism ; I don’t know if you can learn it. It comes when you have a gift. I don’t think it’s a question of education, since you can meet people who have the same background but who don’t have the same appreciation of good things, and people who come from nothing but who are naturally attracted to quality. What we don’t have within ourselves we can try to learn, but we don’t take it in.


Who is your model of hedonism ?

There are many examples : great clothing designers, great musicians, actors. I like people who do remarkable things, who help us to improve ourselves.


Describe your ideal hedonistic day.

It would be a simple summer’s day, alone at home in front of the facade of my château Champ de Bataille, while listening to opera music.


What would you eat (and drink) for your last supper ?

I’d eat a potato omelette with a bottle of Pétrus and, to finish, oeufs à la neige (meringue in custard sauce). It would be a rustic meal, apart from the wine.


What is the most hedonistic place you have visited ?

I’d say the main gallery of the Palazza Colonna in Rome. I like the idea of a family superimposing things that represent 2000 years of history.


What hedonistic experience do you still dream of having ?

It would be to contemplate the renovation of my château. I’d like to take a boat ride down the canal I’m having added at Champ de Bataille, to the sounds of André Campra’s funeral march which would allow me to commune with nature.


One thing that every hedonist should do each day ?

The first thing a hedonist should do is positive thinking - the rest will follow naturally.