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.
On the upper floor of the 3-star restaurant La Villa Madie, La Brasserie du Corton run by Chef Dimitri Droisneau proposes seasonal dishes that are ultra-comforting, elegant and generous. A haven of tranquillity facing the sea, above the creek of Le Corton, this “brasserie” promises a warm gourmet experience orchestrated by a star-rated Chef. Cassis. Avenue de Revestel-Anse de Corton. (04 96 18 00 00)
After gigantic renovation lasting a full year and directed by architect Franklin Azzi, La Tour d’Argent has re-opened its doors, revealing four new spaces. Its brand new, the Bar des Maillets d’Argent, is open all week long from an early “café-croissant” to the last sip of the evening. Then Le Toit de la Tour, hitherto unexploited, offers one of the most stunning panoramic views of Paris. Guests settle down here at the cocktail hour to enjoy a glass of champagne and admire the view. Orchestrated by chef Yannick Franques, the gastronomic restaurant on the 6th floor still extends its promise of an experience beyond the reach of time. La Tour d’Argent, 15, quai de la Tournelle, Paris 5 (01 43 54 23 31).
First noticed at Tekés, Israeli-Marseillaise chef Cécile Levy has taken off and now unfurls her talent at home in La Baignoire. Tucked away on a quiet street in the 2nd arrondissement, a short walk from the Grands Boulevards, this adorable address recalling a family home, intimate and hushed, with pretty tables and candles, offers a gastronomic experience unlike any other, blending refinement with simplicity. On the menu, written in ink in a little notebook, treasures that cannot fail to please. Dive in, you’ll love it ! La Baignoire, 7 rue Notre-Dame de Bonne Nouvelle, Paris 2 (06 76 81 65 91). www.cravanparis.com
At the very heart of the lively 11th arrondissement, Le Vieux Carré welcomes night-owls with a fondness for special cocktails, in a space of 100 m2. On the list, 10 proposals inspired by seasonal products with little dishes of quality to share. The bonus : bottled cocktails based on iconic recipes (Negroni, Black Russian), to be savoured on the spot or taken home. Le Vieux Carré, 59 rue de Montreuil, Paris 11. www.vieuxcarre.fr
At the very centre of Bayonne, the Hôtel des Basses Pyrénées hosts a real gem of a restaurant orchestrated by Chef Sébastien Oudill. Already benefiting from an outdoor area, it has doubled up by acquiring that of another just next door, and now proposes the enjoyment of an XL terrace. Focusing on freshness and the seasons, Sébastien Oudill’s decidedly bistronomic cuisine is based on regional produce of quality in punchy dishes brimming with taste and flavours. Restaurant Hôtel des Basses Pyrénées, 13 rue Tour de Sault, 64100 Bayonne. (05 59 25 70 88).
An kitchen opening out to the dining-room, highly polished dishes, fine wines, a hip-hop playlist, eco-responsible approach… This young address is joyfully managed by a pair of friends/accomplices. Both formerly working at Ze Kitchen Galerie, Chef Bruno Laporte and Restaurant Manager Florentin Fraillon overthrow dining codes with two unique menus that change every day. Focusing on taste, this playful, gourmet cuisine with hints of Asian flavours is much appreciated by discerning clients. Chenapan, 28 rue de la Tour d’Auvergne, Paris 9 (01 45 23 99 13).
A majestic 5-star “Relais et Château” with a rich history three centuries old, Fonscolombe is just a few minutes from Aix-en-Provence. On November 29th, it turns on its loveliest lights and unveils an enchanting programme : a Christmas market, gospel concerts, and a sound-and-light show projected on its facade, to plunge into the magic of Christmas for a weekend or longer. As for gastronomy, Chef Marc Fontanne proposes wonderful menus in the restaurants, making it a point of honour to sublimate noble products accompanied by seasonal fruit and vegetables. Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade. Route de Saint Canadet. www.fonscolombe.com
For its 15th anniversary, the Asian Mayabay restaurant nestling in a natural setting in the Principality of Monaco presents its new menu, still pursuing a single watchword : the excellence of Japanese and Thai cuisines served with unique refinement. Accompanied by classic cocktails retweaked with Asian flavours and exquisite mochi, Mayabay extends the promise of a moment of enchantment in a setting of surprising design. Monaco. Le Rocabella, 24, avenue Princesse Grace. www.mayabayrestaurant.com
For the launch of the new Pierre Hermé boutique at the heart of Aix-en-Provence, Pierre Hermé and Walter Butler – financial backer of gastronomy - have dreamt up an exclusive new macaroon called “Infiniment Calisson”. Aix-en-Provence. 1, rue Gaston de Saporta. (04 84 93 08 56)
To discover this restaurant, head east in the Principality to the Mona Résidence, a new development by the Groupe Pastor with architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and interior fittings signed Ora-ïto and Daniel Buren. Initially intended for residents and their guests, the Mona Restaurant is open to other clients for an evening, by reservation. In a refined, laid-back setting, they are treated to Mediterranean cuisine roving between oriental and Provençal shores : mezze, falafel, baked cauliflower... Each week, Chef Tristant Romain adds new surprises reflecting the seasons. Monaco. 1, bis rue des Giroflées. www.mona.mc
Chic and warm, the new bar at Le Château de Berne invites you to enjoy a delightful pause in the decor of a British club with leather armchairs and woodwork. Every day from 3 p.m. to midnight, this new address surrounded by vines proposes a choice of cocktails, wines, champagne, and meticulously selected spirits. Flayosc. Chemin des Imberts. www.chateaudeberne.com
In Mediterranean decor reviving the codes of chic “brasseries” on the Riviera, Sora, designed by architect Isadora Viquel, offers an intimate atmosphere thanks to shimmering fabrics and vibrant prints. Celebrating Japanese gastronomy in fusion style, the kitchen orchestrated by Chef Claudio Rotondo (ex Bristol) proposes a menu with delicate dishes to share : cod tempura, black cod coated with miso, vegetable maki, baba with saké... All accompanied by fine wines and innovative cocktails with Asian fragrances. Sora, 70, rue Longchamp, Paris 16 (01 45 62 50 75).
On Boulevard Saint-Germain, on the corner of Rue du Dragon and a stone’s throw from Le Flore, the new Cravan occupies the four floors of an elegant freestone building dating back to the 17th century. Already at the head of the intimate Cravan in the 16th arrondissement, Franck Audoux confirms its status as a benchmark for the cocktail world through the scale of this Version 2, celebrating his partnership with the Moët Hennessy group (LVMH). Cravan, 165 boulevard de Saint-Germain, Paris 6. Ouvert du mardi au jeudi de 17h à 1h, le vendredi et samedi de 17h à 2h. Fermé dimanche et lundi. www.cravanparis.com
Chef Alberico Penati (ex-Royal Monceau) has treated himself to a new Left Bank showcase at the foot of Les Invalides. An enchanting haven of refined Italo-French elegance from the decor to the service, prolonged by a charming terrace. On the menu, a symphony of Italian flavours in iconic dishes retweaked with modernity and the tang of iodine : a magnificent crab ravioli with langoustine sauce ! Penati Al Baretto, 94 boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg, Paris 7. (01 42 99 80 00).
Christophe Louie, maestro of the “panettone”, has just inaugurated his first Parisian address in Le Haut Marais. This fully trained pastry-chef who has worked for Jules Verne and Le Meurice has developed a passion for baking. In this gourmet shop, he proposes a rich array of special breads based on natural yeast and traditional wheats, knock-out pastries made on the premises (the flan is a gem) and, of course, his famous “panettone”of unbelievable lightness. Christophe Louie, 12 rue Dupetit-Thouars, Paris 3. www.christophelouie.fr
Heading up the Groupe Levantine, Keren Afriat and Jérémie Bankhalter are back centre-stage with a new address called “Vendredi Soir” which celebrates the traditional Shabbat meal every day of the week. A congenial, energizing address with a travel-oriented atmosphere and a menu uniting Moroccan, Tunisian, Sephardi and Ashkenazy recipes. A feast ! Vendredi soir, 140, rue du Faubourg Saint Martin, Paris 10 (01 42 82 70 19).
Between Nîmes and Uzès, the majestic Château de Collias has just reopened its doors, a hotel-restaurant undergoing 5-star classification. Chef Julien Martin proposes refined, seasonal and organic cuisine based on the day’s local deliveries, with a special fondness for vegetables, fish and game. Collias. 7, rue du Barry. (04 48 27 09 45)
Very recently inaugurated on the seafront in Cannes, the new Hilton called “Canopy” plays host to the Marea restaurant on its partly covered rooftop terrace. In this setting with the sea on the horizon, dishes compose a land-and-sea festival. From the west coast of France, Chef Alexander Douglas Burger proposes a travel-inspired menu based on meticulous local sourcing. An excellent address. Cannes. 2 boulevard Jean Hibert. (04 92 99 73 00)
Proposing a concept of Mexican inspiration, TigerMilk has just opened at the heart of Nice. This hacienda with cheerful decor takes you on a trip to South America, in both dishes and cocktails. Nice. 9, rue Gustave Deloye.
At the onset of the winter season, Le Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape opens the doors of its priory to offer visitors an unprecedented experience of Provençal gastronomy and wine. These tastings and dinners are limited to groups of 8 to 12 guests. The Chef also proposes a culinary workshop accompanied by a presentation of the wine cellars. Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 10, avenue Louis Pasteur. (04 90 39 32 32)
