The Monocle Quality of Life Conference
14.06.22

Attending our first Monocle Quality of Life Conference in Paris was the ideal way to kick off our summer tour of Europe. If touching down at Charles de Gaulle after more than two years of absence wasn’t enough to get the heart racing, then a welcome cocktail reception at Loulou within the Musée des Arts Décoratifs certainly did the trick.

The following day was a full schedule of presentations and talks steered by Monocle editors versed in business, culture, urbanism and current affairs. With a focus on “building a brighter future for our cities – and the lives we live in them”, the conference was fittingly hosted at le19M, Chanel’s newly opened home for the preservation and promotion of the Métiers d’Art. ⁠

Highlights included hearing from Ton Venhoeven, Principal Architect and Urban Planner at Venhoeven CS, the inspiring and talented Olivier Marty of Studio Ko, Ben Smith, the Chief of Air France-KLM, and the wonderfully charming Florence Martin-Kessler, Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Live Magazine. With official proceedings done for the day there was time for a quick refresh before dinner and dancing at La Coupoule in Montparnasse.

Weary heads the next morning were greeted by a lavish breakfast at Musee Carnavalet; those who made the 8am run beforehand should be awarded a medal. The conference concluded with a host of tours across the city before delegates dispersed, energised and inspired by the stories and experiences of others, and new connections made. Thank you to Tyler, Andrew, Hannah and the entire Monocle team for their superb hospitality.⁠

Photography courtesy of Monocle. ⁠