Alice Munnelly is a writer and cultural affairs expert based in Paris. She has written and lectured on the art market and aspects of cultural property protection for the European Union and UNESCO. Her personal pursuits and professional work in diplomacy have led her to travel widely, paving the way for active involvement in art scenes ranging from London and Paris to Kinshasa and Marrakech. Alice is currently working on her debut novel.
What does a journey mean to you?
Nodding at airport security when asked if I’ve taken my laptop and toiletries out of my bag.
Which country or location most inspires you?
Ireland and New York City. They are deeply and differently enriching creative hubs. I enjoy the isolation of rural Ireland and being weathered by its particular brand of melancholy. I feel known there. New York City, on the other hand, makes me feel importantly small. The anonymity engendered by the city’s largeness brings me back to myself. These contrasts lend me a sense of completeness.
Where would you go back to, and why?
Nice, France. It’s where I go to reset and figure out storylines. A day of writing pairs particularly well with a dinner of Moules Frites in Vieux Nice.
Top insider tip for Paris?
Jardin du Luxembourg! My Sunday strolls through the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés often bring me to the newspaper stand opposite Cafe de Flore, where I opt for either the Art Newspaper or Le Monde Diplomatique depending on the week. Paper in hand, I set off in the direction of Jardin du Luxembourg for a date with one of the green chairs that are emblematic of the city’s parks. I opt for a reclining one near the large pond, where I or the wind flick through the newspaper as locals play chess, tennis, or remote control boats. It is Paris at its best.
What journey would you most like to go on?
Chile – for its vineyards, deserts, beaches, glaciers and more. I am also taken with the idea of spending an extended period of time sailing between countries.
