The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
“A few years ago I didn’t know how to use a camera, I didn’t know how to take pictures.” Ophelie laughs nonchalantly as she reflects on how far her sole determination has taken her. As far as travel influencers go, Ophelie Schaffar of Limitless Secrets has definitely found her niche. Photographer, food concierge, travel influencer and blogger, this self-made Parisian has many strings to her bow. She has the kind of modesty and gratitude that those who vehemently pursue their passions exude. But getting to 110,000 followers, by sharing over 1,000 images, has been an industrious journey. A journey of chasing dreams, and perseverance.
Paris-based French foodie and city guru, Ophelie rose to Instagram fame with her dreamy content on her account and travel blog Limitless Secrets. She exuberantly shares recommendations for her life loves – food, travel, and bien sûr, France. More recently, Ophelie started up food concierge and photography tours of the French capital. “What I love is to make people dream about a destination. To inspire them to travel there and to make lasting memories.”
Her images capture the stand-out icons and the overlooked local haunts of her travel destinations. But none of it happens without meticulous planning. Always envisioning her shot in advance to make the dreamiest photo possible, Ophelie takes everything into account – the best perspective, light and moment of the day. Even her outfits reflect the environment, from Parisian chic at the Opera Garnier to candy-coloured flowing gowns in Santorini.
Her travel influencer life all began with escaping an unfulfilling career. After twelve years in B2B Marketing for big corporations, a role which relocated her to Amsterdam, Ophelie realised she was unhappy: she was on the wrong path.
Unknowingly, Ophelie had already dabbled in building her future. “It all started with a love to share the best food around.” Back in Paris, she had set up a Facebook page with friends, sharing her recommendations and discoveries of new restaurants and cafés. When her location changed, so did her medium. “I started an Instagram account where I photographed places to eat around Amsterdam, alongside photos of the landscape – it’s such a cute city.”
Even though on paper her career looked great, she knew it was time for some soul-searching, and to take a leap into the unknown. “ I left my job, and with all the free time I gained. I decided to focus on my Instagram and make it work.”
Moving back to Paris, Ophelie dived into learning about photography and optimising photos – something she previously knew nothing about. “Everything is possible. If you love something you can learn it, but you have to invest the time.”
She learned from YouTube how to be a better photographer, using her city as a backdrop. “Paris is very photogenic and people love the content on it so this really helped me grow.” Slowly a plan was forming. Her biggest passions – food, travel and photography, now had a platform – a platform that thousands were beginning to notice.
Ophelie remembers distinctly the moment her travel influencer career really started to make waves. When she achieved 10,000 followers, the bar was raised. “It’s like a never-ending story – Instagram is always evolving. When I reached 10,000 followers I wanted 50,000, then 100,000 and now I have 100,000 I want 300,000. Everyone is always growing so you need to keep growing.” The demand from PR companies and tourism boards – they want the biggest travel influencers for their own marketing goals – means you can never rest on your laurels. As Ophelie tells the story of this tough competition, she is also sporting an infectious smile – having no end in sight is what compels her to keep going.
By building on her knowledge of finding classic backdrops, local nooks, and encounters with gastronomy, she is now somewhat of a bespoke city guide. Paris is a city that is embellished with five-star hotels, and Michelin Star restaurants that will, “leave you speechless.” She lists lavish dinners with lustrous views of the Eiffel Tower – Girafe, Monsieur Bleu, and L’Oiseau Blanc. Her little black book is brimming, and with her new business venture as a food concierge, she will be sharing her expertise with her guests.
Her number one foodie country is indisputable, “France!” She bursts, eyes gleaming, “All the different regions in France have an individual gastronomy, we have thousands of fine restaurants and talented chefs.”
Yet with an insatiable desire to try new cuisines, a country she unpredictably savoured was Georgia. “It’s ideal for a foodie, it’s on the ancient silk road between Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Asia. The food is influenced by all of these cultures so they use a myriad of spices. It’s also one of the oldest countries for winemaking.”
Ophelie’s travels have taken her to luxurious stays such as at a private, secluded villa in Corfu, and London’s Landmark hotel, where she was won over by the winter garden, the palm trees and the wartime history. She knows she still has a long way to go, “That’s the issue when you love to travel, you want to go everywhere.”
Provence, the Balkans and Tuscany are all on the cards for 2021, one day Peru, St. Petersburg and Australia will host @limitlesssecrets too. But home is where the heart is and her business plans currently evolve around Paris. “My future career as an entrepreneur is to focus on the things I’m good at and the things I’m passionate about. I have many ideas that all evolve around photography, food and all the things that I love – to take people on board with me to experience Paris as a local.”
Ophelie is a travel influencer with a lot on her plate. She dreams big and is proof that hard work and focus can take us places. Finding her path has challenged her, propelled her, and taught her about self-acceptance, “I think when you start forgetting about your flaws and you combine your passions and your talents – things that are unique to you, then that will help you grow. That is when you really leverage.”
