They are Opinel: David Richard

My name is David Richard and I am a guide at the Opinel Museum.

I have a degree in art history and archaeology. I initially worked as an auctioneer’s clerk at an auction house in Nantes for just over 10 years. A desire for adventure and the Far North led me to move to Canada, specifically to the Yukon, a territory bordering Alaska. It was there that I discovered the profession of guide. It very quickly became clear to me that I wanted to take my career in this direction. When I saw the vacancy for a guide at the Opinel Museum, I felt it was tailor-made for me, so I applied for this new adventure from the Yukon.

I love telling stories, and the story of Opinel is truly fascinating. Ultimately, even though the content of the tour remains broadly the same, the way it’s delivered is always different. Depending on the size of the group, the age of the participants, and whether or not they’re familiar with the subject, every tour is unique. I love this interaction and exchange with visitors; it’s often surprising and always enriching.

Enthusiasm is, in my view, an essential quality. The day I feel like I’m pressing a ‘Play’ button in my brain just to reel off a script, I’ll have to change jobs. You need that fervour, that passion, that essential spark to capture the visitors’ hearts. It’s always a bit of a challenge on every tour. Some visitors are a bit more reserved at first and size me up a little, and when that magical moment arrives where you feel you’ve managed to get everyone on board, and a group synergy is created, it’s always a wonderful moment.

Adaptability is also an essential quality.

I was lucky enough to be able to create both guided tour routes from scratch and add my own personal touch. This creative freedom was essential for me to create tour content that reflects who I am, and which, as a result, is easier to convey and share.

My favourite part is actually outside the museum walls, as it’s the hamlet of Gevoudaz, where it all began. If we’re talking strictly about the museum itself, the very first room—which used to be a forge—is my favourite. I particularly love the fact that you can actually smell that knives were once forged within these walls.

The No. 09 Cime without a doubt. It combines the traditional shape of the original handle with understated, refined marquetry work evoking the mountains. What’s more, the No. 09 size is ergonomically my favourite.

Discovery, wonder and sharing : three essential ingredients for making a guided tour a truly memorable experience.