Interviews

Portrait of Camille Gersdoff, founder of Étretrat's best-kept secret

Like an ode to summer, our fragrance Le Soleil is inspired by the exceptional light that bathes the cliffs of Étretat. Just as inspiring, we had the pleasure to meet Camille Gersdoff, the founder of the guest house Les Tilleuls, to talk about her haven of peace, well-being and her vision of hospitality.

If there is one thing we love at Kerzon, it is a home, in the broadest sense of the word, a place where you feel good and where you can entertain. When we discovered Les Tilleuls, we immediately fell in love with the place... So, without hesitation, we headed off to Étretat to meet Camille Gersdoff, the holistic entrepreneur at the head of this confidential guest house that combines hospitality, art and well-being.

To begin with, shall we be on first-name terms?

Of course!

Can you please introduce yourself?

My name is Camille, and I opened Les Tilleuls in Étretat 5 years ago, which combines a hotel, art and well-being, and I'm a true globetrotter at heart.

We fell in love with Les Tilleuls... can you tell us a little more about it?

It is a 1738 bourgeois house, located 300m from the cliffs. We welcome guests on weekends for family and friends' getaways, artists in residence and teachers for well-being retreats. This is a place to live out of time, but in tune with the times.

Can you tell us the secret of your paradise in Étretat?  

It is an experience that has to be lived :)

A simple pleasure to share at Les Tilleuls?

A glass of red wine by the fire in the grand salon in winter.

Any inspiring encounters you have had there?

Many, many times. Each meeting with my clients is unique and it is a place where I am lucky enough to meet a lot of inspiring creative people.

Your definition of well-being?

The luxury of being able to let oneself be carried by time.

By the way, do you have a well-being tip to share with us? 

A kundalini session to start the day.

You know our affection for fragrances and their evocations... Is there a fragrance that reassures you at the moment?

I love the scent of the lime trees (Tilleuls) in the garden and the peonies at this time of year. 

We imagined our fragrance Le Soleil as a tribute to the exceptional light that bathes the cliffs of Étretat on summer weekends. What inspires you the most in Étretat? 

The wildness of nature and the unpredictability of the waves.

Can you share a holiday memory with us? 

In Ibiza, my favourite island. Barefoot, dirty hair, dress in the trunk, driving with the windows down, listening to a CD before going to dinner, after swimming at sunset. 

Kerzon in three words and three favourites?

Fun, fresh and young. The new Le Soleil collection inspired by Étretat.

Thanks Camille, see you soon at Les Tilleuls? 

I look forward to seeing you!

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF CAMILLE AND HER HOTEL

On Instagram @camillegersdorff__ and @lestilleuls.etretat

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