Meet a Montrealer: Raphaël Gaspard, owner of Garçon fleur

Garçon fleur, a.k.a. Raphaël Gaspard, has been delivering happiness on a bike for over a year. With the wind in his hair, he rides the streets of Montréal, distributing beautiful bouquets of wild flowers, which he creates himself with great attention and discernment. This expanding bucolic and environmental project has been hugely successful in reviving the image of florists. Two years ago, Raphaël also co-founded Gaspard Roy with Félix Roy (singer for the Montréal rock group Human Human and head barman at Bouillon Bilk), a chic bar service that offers custom-made cocktails and showcases fine alcohols with market-fresh products. For Mother’s Day, this thriving young man, born in Germany but a Montréaler for 20 years now, shares his favourite go-to spots on where to smell the first blooms of spring and spend a perfect day with mom.

What’s new with Garçon fleur in 2015?

This year, we’re opening a wildflower atelier-boutique at 337 Castelnau Street East in Villeray. It’s a great way to connect with people! We’ll be featuring, among others, Sunday workshops and music nights. Garçon fleur is expanding too, with three new delivery bikes that will be bombing around the streets of Montréal selling bouquets to passers-by—a veritable wildflower shop on wheels. We’re also preparing lots of exciting partnerships and the release of our second promotional video.

Is Garçon fleur pampering moms this year?

Absolutely! We have a special collaboration now with Oatbox—healthy and delicious breakfast cereals—and we’re cooking up a few surprises that will be unveiled at the beginning of May.

Where’s your favourite place in Montréal to go to recharge your batteries?

A walk on Mount Royal always does me a world of good. Once I’m there, I always wonder why I don’t go more often.

You favourite parks to kick back in?

I really like picnicking with friends in Laurier Park and napping and soaking up the scenery at Jarry Park. I can spend entire days there with my daughter, alternating between pool and picnic.

Your favourite cocktail bars…

For the quality of the cocktails: The Bouillon Bilk bar. It’s a restaurant, but they have a solid cocktail menu. Otherwise, the Balsam Inn, a newbie to downtown in very good, as is Thazard and Kabinet on Tuesday nights.

To bring a date: Personally, I would make cocktails to go and drink them in an out-of-the-ordinary place. Otherwise, the classy and intimate ambiance of Big in Japan Bar makes for a perfect first date.

To chill with friends: Isle de Garde bar on Beaubien Street.

Your favourite restaurants?

Le Filet, Bouillon Bilk and Hotel Herman. Make a reservation at the bar and then leave it to them—you’ll be in good hands.

The nicest thing about Montréal?

The sunny faces in spring, the back alleys, the Old Port.

Your best Montréal memory?

Summer days with friends in the park that stretch into the wee hours and bike rides with my daughter.

It’s Mother’s Day on May 10. What does a perfect day with mom look like to you?

I would bring her to Salmigondis for brunch, then to the museum in the afternoon, followed by a drink on a terrasse and wrap up the day with a barbecue back home.

A must for visitors?

A trip to our outdoor markets!