Introducing our Paris Community Manager, Raphaelle Thibaut

Bonjour à tous!

In any big city, on any street corner, at any moment, we can see something that can make our day. But especially in Paris...

I’m Raphaëlle, a 27-year-old Parisian, and I’m delighted to join the team of Community Managers for Google Places – and to be your representative in Paris! Social media gives us a unique opportunity to talk about our city, discover what we love about it and share it with the world...

                                            

My love affair with Paris began 11 years ago when my fascination led me here — to Sorbonne University. I instantly fell in love with this stylish city that still surprises me every day and drove me to become a real hot spots seeker.   

I trained for 17 years as a classical musician in a strict academy before devoting myself completely to my other passion, the Internet. My digital background is in advertising as it associates to social media strategy. As a community manager, I’ve freelanced for several brands like Adidas and worked for some ad agencies like DDB° Paris and Les Gros Mots. 

Nope, Paris still didn’t get the sea. It’s just said that I’m funny on a beach.  

Oh yeah, and I spend about 32 hours a day decoding the web via Google+ and Twitter and hundreds of tech-junkie blogs and sites...

Still, music is more than ever a part of me today — you can find my most recent compositions on SoundCloud. Given that I’m surrounded by music, I am very sensitive to the acoustic environment of a place. That brings me to another reason why I love Paris: its aural atmosphere is just magic — very lively, but not too noisy!

Here are some spots you’ll find me in Paris:

The Saint-Martin Canal. It’s a picturesque place and a pretty quiet corner to take a walk, ride a bike,  have a picnic or eat in cosy restaurants as La Cantine de Quentin. Cafés and quirky boutiques also flank the water-and-iron footbridges, like Artazart or very colorful Antoine et Lill store.

Le Mansart, Pigalle quarter. South Pigalle is the Parisian hipster nightlife place, and Le Mansart is totally part of it. It’s packing the coolest crowd of the quarter, playing table football and drinking cheap beer. And if the evening seems to short for you, you can extend it thanks to the nearby Carmen, a very refined and high-end club.

    

     I also love pandas, and homemade-Sunday-night meals.

Le Nanashi, Marais quarter. A healthy, Japanese-inspired creative eatery, including a selection of one of the best bentos in Paris. Helpful after too much cheap beer (see above). I guess that’s why they most often see me on Sunday for the brunch...

Le Batofar, 13th quarter. Early in the morning, after hours of fun, you realize that it’s a boat when you suddenly see the Seine appearing through the portholes.

The historic Marais quarter is my prime stomping ground for shopping, thanks to all its vintage boutiques and also the Saint-Ouen flea market for its very discounted and vintage clothes, shoes, antique furniture and odd objects.

And if you ask me what I love the most about Paris, I would probably say the stunning view from my apartment, at Montmartre...

I have explored Paris for many years but I know I still haven’t discovered half of the places out there...
How about joining me on this journey to find the countless ways to enjoy Paris? Follow @GoogleParis on Twitter, sign up for our newsletter, take part in our cool activities and share your discoveries with everyone reviewing them on Google Places!

I can’t wait to share all of the hottest news from the bustling Paris streets and to see you at a few of them along the way, so stay tuned!

Posted by Raphaëlle, Paris community manager