“I do this for the relationships”. Edouard Truyen and his Coif Mobil travel through West Hérault

Edouard Truyen et son Coif Mobil sont présents tous les jeudis à Margon. Midi Libre – RENE FERRANDO

In the villages, mobile businesses are a significant plus, especially for the elderly who have difficulty getting around. This presence creates social ties. In the West Hérault, many traders crisscross the roads to supply the population or provide services. “Midi Libre” went to meet these itinerants. Fifth and final part of this series in Margon where Edouard Truyen, aboard his Coif Mobil, comes to cut the hair of a loyal clientele.

“I wanted to travel around the small villages in a traveling hair salon.” Since 1993, Edouard Truyen has been fulfilling his dream at the wheel of his converted utility vehicle. His Coif Mobil crisscrosses part of the West Hérault. On Thursdays, he can be found in Margon, Faugères and Pouzolles. On Fridays, he stops in Roquebrun, Saint-Nazaire-de-Ladarez and Causses-et-Veyran. “I chose villages where there was no fixed salon”, Edouard explains with a slight accent that leaves no doubt about his Belgian origins. “I arrived in France in 1980 and I now have French nationality”, he adds.

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With his training as a hairdresser, Edouard ran a snack-hairdressing shop across the Quiévrain. In France, he first settled in Cap-d’Agde, opening a brasserie. Then, he settled in Usclas-d’Hérault. And very quickly, he could not resist the call of scissors and a comb. His DIY skills would give birth to his first Coif Mobil: a utility vehicle entirely transformed into a hairdressing salon. Thirty-one years later, Edouard is on his second traveling salon. “I built my house, so fitting out a truck, you think…”

“We go out to meet people”

But why did you choose to work as a traveling hairdresser? ? “I don't do this to be rich but for the relationships”, says Edouard, comfortably seated in his black leather armchair in the center of his Coif Mobil. “With my clients, we chat about everything and nothing, we laugh. Over the years, they have become friends. It's a very good experience for me. It's very enriching.”

However, the clock is ticking for our hairdresser: “I'm going to be 72. I'm thinking about retirement.” For now, he doesn't seem to want to put his Coif Mobil in the garage. So, the septuagenarian continues on his merry way, racking up the miles as he goes on tours, meeting more people. “When you have a traveling business, you go out to meet people. The relationships are different compared to those you have when you have a fixed business.”

Le Coif Mobil is expected

“I provide a service to people and I want to continue”, emphasizes Edouard. Le Coif Mobil is expected by those who cannot travel or who do not want to travel several kilometers by car to get their hair done. The schedule of his visits is posted in the various town halls on his tour and on the websites of the municipalities. Edouard has a loyal clientele. “At first, she was diligent but she is getting older. Young people come less, they prefer hairdressers younger than me. But it depends on the villages and the hours when I am there. I can have children, elderly people. In December, I had more people because of the holidays.”