Falaise-born Fabien Lemasson previously lived in Caen in Calvados and now lives in Shanghai.
There are many reasons why I miss Normandy, but I especially miss how beautiful it is.
Let me introduce myself…
My name is Fabien and I’ve lived in China since 2016: six months in Beijing and now in Shanghai.
I work in marketing strategy and I manage Taste France, a brand of the French Ministry of Agriculture. I promote French produce and it’s a golden opportunity for me to introduce Norman produce to Asian consumers.
I’m a photographer too and post my photos of Shanghai and China every day. Check them out
Fabien Lemasson and Normandy
I was born in Falaise and lived in Caen in Calvados. After college, I began studying medicine before working in property as a housing consultant for a home construction company. It enabled me to travel the length and breadth of Normandy to meet clients and experience what we once called “la Basse” and “la Haute” Normandy. Soon after that, I went down a new avenue and began a course in business and marketing. I got to do a placement in Ireland during the course which gave me a taste for travel. I wanted to go abroad to experience other countries and new cultures. There are many reasons why I miss Normandy, but I especially miss how beautiful it is. It’s a fantastic region and I love the Norman scenery in any weather, come rain or shine. The sunsets here are incredible.
I often look at images by young photographers capturing the region: Étretat, Cotentin, Omaha beaches, Normandy’s woodland in the Orne and the Auge area. I miss Caen, especially Rue Écuyère and Rue Saint-Pierre. I miss Stade Malherbe football team and it gets me down that I can’t stay up to date with them and cheer them on at the stadium.
Last but not least, I can’t wait to have Normandy cheese again: Camembert (Le Jort), Pont-L’Evêque and Livarot.
My role as an ambassador
As an ambassador for Normandy, I get the community together every month to chat, network and discuss Normandy, covering things like our memories, Normandy today, Normandy in China etc.
I’m in charge of a WeChat group with nearly a hundred people and I’m involved in World Calvados Day.
My fiancée is Chinese so I’m going to celebrate CNY, Chinese New Year, with her family.
Become a Normandy ambassador abroad
At heart, by adoption, by birth… You’re from Normandy.
More than anything else, you love Normandy: its diversity, its lifestyle, its dynamism.
The network of ambassadors brings together all those who, like you, share the values, the spirit and the desire to bring the region to life.
Together, let’s make Normandy shine.
