Luxurious, bewitching, inspiring, spell-binding… Our selection of addresses is aimed at pleasure and ideas ! From absolute essentials to wonderful surprises, new experiences to enjoy and share.
After a prestigious career at top-notch addresses such as Taillevent and La Vieille Fontaine in Maisons-Laffitte, Christophe Poard, born in Cherbourg, is now manning the ovens at the Grand Hôtel in Cannes. Aiming to make good food truly exceptional, he proposes authentic, generous cuisine paying tribute to local ingredients of exemplary quality. Contemporary, delicate and unpretentious, his menu features smoked beef tartar, crayfish from Brittany, rack of suckling lamb with pears, cinnamon and syrah wine from Provence... Park 45, 45 boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes (04 93 38 15 45).
His new address gives priority to world cuisine, inviting guests to share delightful fusion dishes. Not to be missed, his famous steamed brioches, bao-style, with ox-tail and pickled vegetables. Everything is sampled in a warm decor signed Richard Lafond where comfort is guaranteed by omnipresent wood, wide benchseats and leather chairs. Hugo & Co, 48 rue Monge, Paris 5 (09 53 92 62 77).
Manning the ovens in the kitchens at the Hôtel & Spa du Castellet in Le Var, Chef Christophe Bacquié has been awarded supreme consecration by the Michelin Guide, ie. a third star crowning the career of this generous, audacious and deeply committed chef. Hôtel & Spa du Castellet, 3001 route des Hauts du Camps, Le Castellet (04 94 98 37 77).
Two floors and no less than 1,700 m2 dedicated to French gastronomy : Le Printemps has set the stakes high to launch the new year ! On the 7th and 8th floors of the department store, offering unimpeded views of the rooftops of Paris, this new space comprised of a refined grocery shop, fresh produce, a specialized bookshop and restaurant counters, also boasts top-notch chefs : Akrame Benallal, Gontran Cherrier, Christophe Michalak, Le MOF, and cheesemaker Laurent Dubois. Appetizing ! Printemps du Goût, bâtiment du Printemps de l’Homme, 64 boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9.
The tale of the Cantinetta Antinori began in Florence in 1957 when the first restaurant opened its doors in the Palazzo Antinori, one of the town's most beautiful Renaissance buildings. Already popular in Zurich, Vienna and Moscow, this shrine of Tuscan gastronomy has arrived in the Principality where dishes perfect for each time of day are served from 7 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. Cantinetta Antinori, 11 avenue Princesse Grace, Monaco (00 377 97 77 08 80).
This new "Claus" address pursues the same quest as its elder, which has become a benchmark for breakfast since it was opened in 2011 by Claus Estermann. Very chic, near the Saint-Germain market, it basks in elegant decor signed by Italian architect Fabrizio Casiraghi. On the morning menu : artisanal jams, great traditional teas, Honduran coffees, Viennese pastries with butter, an endless choice of bread and buns. And to satisfy healthy appetites in all finesse, the famous homemade muesli, "rösti", and eggs just the way you like them. Claus Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 2 rue Clément, Paris 6 (01 55 26 95 10).
A "Relais & Châteaux" hotel in the countryside near Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the Mas de Pierre will open on March 9th after its annual closing period. Renovated in sleek contemporary style, the rooms in its seven "bastides" offer undiluted charm. This refined address with a restaurant and Payot spa is ideal for a weekend of relaxation in the midst of nature. Le Mas de Pierre, 2320 route des Serres, Saint-Paul-de-Vence (04 93 59 00 10).
Nestling at the heart of Montmartre, this gastronomic restaurant which has just had a revamp welcomes chef Octave Kasakolu to its kitchens, formerly of Le Raphael and winner of two "toques" in the Gault & Millau guide. Here he prepares "unfussy, personal cuisine, close to the earth". A succession of elegant and delicate dishes, amazing for their flavour, such as Kobe beef tartar with Daurenki caviar from Petrossian. Les Tantes Jeanne also offers a cellar with 600 wines selected by the young head sommelier, Gabriele Calegarine. Les Tantes Jeanne, 42 rue Véron, Paris 18 (01 42 51 14 21).
In a setting that plays on excessiveness with a monumental bar 13 metres long, a picture window offering Paris on a plate, and an XL terrace, Les Grands Verres, a new project undertaken by the young team of “Quixotic Projects” (Candelaria, Mary Céleste), gracefully occupies the heart of the Palais de Tokyo. Designed by the Parisian agency of Lina Ghotmeh Architecture, the “mineral” decor plays host to the young American chef Preston Miller who proposes locavore and fusion cuisine brimming with flavour. Les Grands Verres, 13 avenue du Président Wilson, Paris 16 (01 85 53 03 61).
Temporarily installed in the newly renovated Rotonde wing of the Hôtel de Paris, the Louis XV is now prolonged by a pretty terrace overlooking the gardens landscaped by Jean Mus. Exceptionally open for lunch, Alain Ducasse’s legendary address proposes a few of his signature dishes inspired by the Riviera, such as vegetables from the gardens of Provence with black truffles, a treat for clients since 1987. Le Louis XV, Place du Casino, Monaco (00 377 98 06 88 64).
You think you’ve seen all there is to see at Pink Mamma ? Head for the basement at the end of the corridor leading to the cold room, where you will discover a boudoir bar clad in pink velvet ! With an audacious list of cocktails giving priority to alcohols and regional specialities from all over Italy, the young team expertly concocts original blends. A real gem, the irresistible “Sicilia” with Marsala, coconut cream, oatmeal milk with Bronte pistachios and lime. A cosy atmosphere early in the week, unashamedly festive from Thursday to Saturday with DJs at the turntables ! No Entry, 20 bis rue de Douai, Paris 9.
This autumn, the Majestic Cannes is placing the Seventh Art at the heart of its Sunday evenings. 35 movie-buffs can attend the Ciné Club’s one-off screenings at 6 p.m. every Sunday in an elegant and comfortable viewing room. Each screening is accompanied by a glass of champagne and a selection of canapés. 35 €/person, by reservation. Le Majestic Barrière, 10 boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes (04 92 98 77 03).
The Cohen team (Bonpoint, Merci) is back centre-stage with a new concept store. The idea is an e-shop with a pop-up installation which takes its place for six months in the legendary bistrot, Le Tourrette. In an inspired stage-setting, this First Act entitled “Un artiste chez soi” welcomes painter Gaël Davrinche and a wealth of items for home decor, beauty care, fashion…, all with the sole intention of embellishing our homes. Until December. Pop up Démodé, 70 rue de Grenelle, Paris 7 (www.demode.fr).
This year, the legendary Voile d’Or Hotel in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat was awarded its 5th star. In the midst of an idyllic private estate, it proposes Jazz & Soul cocktail evenings with musician Fat Cat and his band, every Sunday until September 17th. A great idea for a summer night out, which can be followed by dinner in the hotel’s “bistronomic” restaurant. La Voile d’Or, 7 avenue Jean Mermoz, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (04 93 01 13 13).
Founded in 1958 by Frangy Malortigue and his brother Doudou, the legendary Papagayo was taken over in 1962 by a certain Claude François. Since then, from Donna Summer to Eddie Barclay via Johnny Halliday, Tom Jones, Régine and Claudia Cardinale, the night-club has continued to welcome stars adding their sparkle to Saint-Tropez nights. Today, globe-trotting entrepreneur Franklin Malortigue has again taken over this temple of the night, transforming it into a flamboyant, festive restaurant open 7/7 until 6 a.m. Now named “Gaïo”, it offers a menu of Japanese inspiration. Gaïo, 4 rue du 11 novembre 1918, Saint-Tropez (04 94 97 89 98).
New decor signed Tom Dixon, a new menu composed by 3-star chef Eric Fréchon : this iconic restaurant inaugurated in 1958 has taken just the right path to belong to its era ! A shrine to beauty, originality and usefulness, this unique address has revealed its new look in which brass, marble and leather benchseats celebrate intimacy and conviviality in urban style. Cosmopolitan but also Parisian, the menu combines signature dishes and novelties of all kinds : raw, cooked, cuisine inspired by both land and sea, and finger-food for discerning nibblers.
On the upper floor of the legendary Salle Pleyel, this address is a chance to bask in Italian elegance. Signed Laura Gonzalez, the decor is a cheerful blend of inspirations stylishly comprised of carpets of Moorish design, smooth velvet, Art Deco mosaics, chandeliers... Manning the ovens, chef Patrick Charvet, who won his spurs with great “toques” (Guy Martin, Pierre Gagnaire…), orchestrates sun-blessed cuisine focusing on the fragrances and flavours of Italy and Sicily, with a hint of Morocco. The cherry on the cake : on its wine-list, Noto offers the wine produced by Carole Bouquet on her island of Pantelleria. Chic ! Noto - Paris, 252 bis rue du Faubourg St Honoré, Paris 8 (01 86 95 96 60).
The luxury perfume brand “The Harmonist” has installed its precious potions in a superb black-and-white boutique decorated to comply with Feng Shui principles. In this classy setting, you will discover 10 magnificent fragrances and 10 candles reflecting the basic elements of yin and yang which offer the virtues of calming stress, boosting energy, in short, of enhancing well-being. Euphoric ! The Harmonist, 36 avenue Georges V, Paris 8. (01 53 75 19 92). www.theharmonist.com
This ravishing trattoria perched on the Butte Montmartre is an undiluted compression of Italy. With its laboratory for fresh pasta, up-market grocery store and “ristorante” area, Roberta nurtures a love of fine food and a passion for top-quality products. Here one relishes dishes and desserts typical of the “Boot”, comforting, copious, and brimming with flavour. An ideal address for enjoying Italy’s charms from morning till night. Roberta, 5 bis rue Lavieuville, Paris 18 (01 42 59 33 32).
For four days, a great line-up of toques, including emerging talents and established names on the Parisian gastronomic scene, will bring liveliness to the nave of the Grand Palais. For its 3rd edition, the "Taste of Paris" festival will host 19 pop-up restaurants proposing over 70 signature dishes and compositions created specially for the occasion. With workshops, demonstrations, shows, sampling stands, not forgetting children's cookery classes, the festival once again promises lots of enticing surprises. Du 18 au 21 mai, Grand Palais, 3 avenue du Général Eisenhower, Paris 8 (www.tasteofparis.com).
