We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nesrine Brikci. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nesrine below.

Nesrine, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve ever undertaken is my daily commitment to L’escale Voyage. Almost two years ago, I launched this website with a primary focus on curated independent stays worldwide and unique travel experiences. Personally experiencing and capturing each space, I document them to showcase on L’escale.

Managing the website demands considerable time and dedicated research, yet the payoff is undeniably rewarding. L’escale was conceived with a clear purpose – to serve as a travel platform for individuals seeking not just destinations but unique and enriching experiences, with a special emphasis on embracing the concept of slow travel. Recognising that our wanderlust can sometimes leave us feeling weary, I believe we may have strayed from the fundamental reasons why we travel – to reconnect and rediscover a serene balance.

When visiting too many places in one go, there’s a risk of overlooking the profound understanding of a country and its culture. To truly connect, I think we need to travel with a local perspective and take the time to explore at a leisurely pace – and that’s precisely what L’escale embodies. Beyond being a platform for discovering distinctive stays, hotels, and bed and breakfasts globally, it encourages a slower, more authentic approach to travel.

L’escale has evolved into a vibrant community where we share articles, photography, and videos not only on the website but also across various social media platforms. Additionally, I’ve established a small online boutique where we sell the L’escale tote bag, beach towels, and some downloadable travel guides. This project has been a constant presence in my thoughts, and the experiences gained have been nothing short of beautiful.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a travel photographer from Montreal, Canada. I got into photography when I was young, and it became a big part of my life after I studied Professional Photography at Dawson College. The school taught me all the technical stuff I needed to know, and it was a great experience.

After that, I wanted more, so I moved to my dream city, London. I studied Fashion Photography at London College of Fashion University. Living alone in a new place, I started my blog, Le Temps d’un Café, which I ran for more than six years. It was fun and let me work with some beautiful brands and hotels around the world.

I went back to Canada after London and opened an online shop for men’s fashion. After two years, I realised I didn’t enjoy it as much, so I decided to try something else. While running the online shop, I also studied fashion design to create a small line of silk pyjamas. I’ve always loved fashion, so having my own brand felt right and very natural.

During this time, my blog helped me collaborate with different hotels, big and small. I especially loved the unique, smaller stays, and that’s when my love for travel grew even more. Through the years I’ve worked as a photographer on various projects, including a documentary and two books: L’Apéro au Québec and Boire le Québec (both were best sellers in Quebec). I’m really proud of the books I’ve worked on. They took me all around Quebec, and I had the chance to experience some truly beautiful and unique moments. Even though it took more than a year to produce each book, the effort was absolutely worth it.

Wanting more, I finally started L’escale. Now, I travel the world, and when I’m not traveling, I live in Paris. I work with different clients, mostly in travel or with unique brands that share the slow living mentality I’m always looking for.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being an artist is both incredibly rewarding and somewhat peculiar in its own way. I feel like I live each day with a clear purpose. There’s this constant desire to capture moments, remember details, and create something meaningful. This, for me, is truly amazing. I believe life could feel long and aimless without a sense of purpose, and I consider myself fortunate to have recognised this early on in life and knew what I wanted.

Undoubtedly, being an artist comes with its challenges. It’s not always an easy path, as many artists can attest. However, despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The ability to see the world through a different lens, to find beauty in forms or meanings that may elude others, is what makes the journey so rewarding for me. It’s the unique perspective and the way I interpret the world that adds a special dimension to what I do.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

It’s quite amusing to me, but many people genuinely believe I don’t work because I’m always traveling. Explaining to them that trying out restaurants, coffee shops, exploring the world, and staying in beautiful hotels is actually part of my work can be quite challenging. I don’t blame them, though—it does sound fantastic, and it is! Of course, I work hard and create content wherever I go, which, believe me, can be exhausting. However, I understand that non-creative people may not necessarily see it as work, unfortunately.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lescale-voyage.com
• Instagram: @lescalevoyage and @tempsduncafe
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nesrine-brikci-8a710a5b/

Image Credits
Nesrine Brikci for L’escale Voyage