In Paris’s 10th arrondissement, restaurant and wine bar Early June has been part of the city’s food scene since 2019. It feels effortless, doesn’t chase trends and the seasonal menu constantly surprises. Founded by Victor Vautier and Camille Machet, it was one of the city’s first chef-residency restaurants. It has never taken reservations and there is usually a queue outside.
Inside, the same playlist has been spinning since Early June first opened – part ’90s hip hop, part old-school R&B, part anything else that Camille wants to add – and the crowd keeps coming back. One devoted regular is Service95 founder Dua Lipa, who stops by whenever she’s in Paris. Now, what began as a customer-owner relationship has quietly evolved into a genuine friendship that stretches beyond the dining room.
That relationship speaks to what distinguishes Early June: its community. The kitchen has become a launchpad and homecoming point for a rotating cast of chefs from all over the world (most recently hosting Keith Siu from Toronto’s Belle Isle). Some pass through just before opening their own spots in Paris and beyond while others return to the place that first gave them a spotlight. It’s a living network; one Camille describes as “a family” that grows, one residency at a time.
None of this feels accidental once you meet Camille. She radiates a natural charm and genuine warmth that makes you understand why people return to her restaurant time and again. You’ll often find her working on the floor, talking guests through the natural wine list and passing plates around with a smile.
Camille didn’t start out in hospitality. She built a career in fashion but always carried a deep, almost instinctive, desire to “make people happy”. A childhood passion for food and connection eventually pulled her into working at a grocery store and going to wine school, and eventually she took a bold leap of faith into the world of restaurants with her friend, Victor, once they found the perfect space to open shop along Canal Saint-Martin.
To better understand the inner workings of Early June, we paid Camille a visit at work to witness what goes on behind the scenes. Between prep time and service, she took some time out to share more about the intention behind the space, the philosophy of hospitality and the way she continues to shape what has become one of Paris’s most-loved restaurants. Discover this and more in our video below.
