A Conversation With Charlène Lambert

Founded in 2019 by Charlène Lambert, A Week Abroad is a collection of travel books to live a week like a local. Charlène describes inspiration behind the collection, conversations with locals and her travel experiences.

How did the idea for A Week Abroad come about? 

Founder of A Week Abroad , Charlene Lambert

“I was working in advertising agencies in London and  Paris, and I always traveled a lot. Every time I was traveling, I was asking local people where they go to eat, where they go to walk; the best parks, the best bakeries. But, every time I was traveling, I couldn't find really authentic places. So that's why I asked random people in restaurants or in the streets. 

If I found a good bakery or something, I would say something like, ‘I love your bakery, but can you recommend a good restaurant in the area?’ It started like that. Basically all the things I found in traditional travel guides are not like the addresses I want to go to when I'm traveling…It was not my way of thinking about travel, and I was much more into local life. 

So I started thinking about this idea and I didn't know at the time if it was going to be an app, an object, book or website. I wanted to highlight the real local life for curious travelers, basically. 

Then I realized in advertising, I was not in my place. I wasn't feeling good. I mean, it was a nice experience for me, but I wasn't happy with my job. It was intense, and I was looking for something with a lot of meaning. I quit my job and I came back to my parents house in Marseille to start thinking about the project…I was thinking, ‘How can I mix all the things I love to just be able to work in a field that I love and to be also useful for the people.’

I’ve always loved books. I’ve always loved photography, art, and creativity in general. And I said, ‘Maybe this idea about traveling like a local, I can materialize it in a book.’ I started working on this project for a year. And then after a year and a half, I launched my first book about Marseille because I'm from Marseille.”

What is the creative process that goes into each edition? 

“I would start with how I choose my destination. I chose Marseilles, because it was a personal thing being from there so it was a bit easier for me to start.

And for example, with Puglia, I went there with my boyfriend, and I fell in love with the region…When I feel something particular about a region, that's what I like. It's more like a love affair. So Marseilles, Puglia and Arles, (the first three) are love affairs. Which is good, because all the destinations I love, and are a bit niche. I just don't want to highlight all the capitals and main cities, I want to highlight small regions that are still  preserved from materialism. But in the meantime, I'm also thinking a bit more commercial now. 

So, the creative process is one: choose the destination. We'll get a lot of inspiration by reading a lot about the region and starting to look at the local personalities and who could be relevant for the edition. The main criteria is that the people are passionate about what they do. They should reflect the local culture and they should be engaged in the local culture. They should, in a sense, help the local economy. 

Before I go to the region, I search for maybe five personalities. And then once I'm in the region, I'm also asking those people if they know other people that I can meet. And I'm living in this space of improvisation. So, not everything is planned before, but it's important to do the research work before as well.”

Is there a specific conversation with a local that is memorable to you?

“All of them are different and memorable. But I will explain to you the story of Jeremy, who is a fisherman in Marseille, because I found this story a bit funny and it was the beginning of the project. I was back in Marseille and I was taking pictures in a little port in Marseille, and I wasn't thinking about A Week Abroad, I was just walking and enjoying the sun. Then I saw a guy on a boat who came back from fishing and so I started to talk to him and [ask questions]...He was really passionate about what he was doing. And then I thought, ‘Wow, everything he is telling me is so interesting that maybe he can be a good portrait for A Week Abroad. 

I said, ‘I'm thinking about working on a travel guide that highlights local personalities. Would you be interested to be featured in it?’

And he told me, ‘Oh yes, why not?’ He was with his stepfather and they told me to go have lunch with them at their home to discuss this and do an interview. So I went with them, but I didn't know them, so it was a bit weird, but  my gut feeling was to follow them. I went to their place and we had a very good lunch. And then we spoke about his activity and passion for Marseille, et cetera. It was a beautiful meeting.”

The next Week Aboard to be released covers Alentejo Portugal. What drew you to that region? Was there anything that surprised you and what did you learn? 

“This edition is particular because it's the first one  I am working with a contributor on.

A journalist contacted me, her name is Lauriane Gepner I'm working with Lauriane and another photographer, Eugenie Lacroix. They are both French, but they are living in Lisbon. 

Lauriane told me that she was interested in developing the collection and to speak about Portugal. loved Lisbon and I knew Lisbon before, but I didn't know much about Alentejo. It's a bit similar to Puglia in Italy in the sense that it's preserved. It's still rural. There is a lot of agroturism. It's relaxed. You also have the coast where you can surf. I really liked the atmosphere that she described when she pitched me the project.

I went there and it was amazing. I was so surprised about this region because I couldn't imagine it was so peaceful. All the people were so kind, and the gastronomy was amazing. 

I could feel a bit of Safari vibes in the sense that the landscapes reminded me of an African. It's dry and it's hot. And to be honest, it's an amazing region and I can't wait to share it.”

Many people tend to put emphasis on having a whole itinerary for a trip. What are your thoughts on that? 

“I think it's linked to what I told you about the preparation of my books, because I think you need both. You need to prepare a little bit because nowadays I think a lot of places are booked out in advance, and I'm thinking about accommodations and some restaurants, for example. 

I think you need to prepare a rough itinerary to have an idea of what you want to do. But then for me, it's essential to leave room for spontaneity and to not plan anything so you don't look at your watch every hour to know if you're on time to do the next activity; that's not the way I like to travel. 

I just want to book accommodations and some good restaurants that I want to try, for example. Then the rest of the day I leave for meeting with people. For me, it's important to leave this space free.”

What are your three things that you always travel with?

“My Louise Carmen notebook, my analog camera, and a book.”

Are there any objects that you found on your travels that you treasure or that are memorable to you?

“I'm always bringing back souvenirs, whether it’s ceramics from Puglia, or wine from Portugal. It's mainly artisanal or food.”

Outside of travel, what inspires you? 

“Outside of travel, I'm inspired by nature. I love to walk in nature in general because I'm from Marseille. I love the Calanques of course, which is the regional park in Marseille…I'm happy to go back to museums, to the cinema, to see art again…and of course photography. I think people in the street [inspire me as well]. I really love to sit in a coffee shop and people watch. “

Shop Charlene’s A Week Abroad Collection: