Summer may seem far off for many of us, but if you’re planning a getaway to a popular destination like St. Tropez it wouldn’t be remiss to start planning now. Not only where to stay–exclusive luxury villa rentals with all the amenities of five star hotels book up quickly!–but what to do during your vacation in the South of France. To that end there are a few new restaurants opening in St. Tropez that you’ll want to keep in mind for your visit including new Alain Ducasse and Georges Blanc hot spots.
Rivea – Celebrated chef Alain Ducasse’s latest restaurant creation is Rivea, which is located at the Byblos Saint Tropez and is slated to open in mid-April. The menu created by Chef Ducasse is very Mediterranean, focusing on local products and heavily influenced by both Italian and French cuisine. The venue itself was designed by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel, who have made quite the splash with their vision for the Bulgari Hotel in London, and features everything from coral fabrics to local woods and flickering lanterns for centerpieces. The new Rivea will be replacing the Spoon restaurant at the Byblos.
Le Suffren Café – The historic St. Tropez hotel, Hotel de Paris, is set to reopen again this year to much fanfare after a two year renovation. The historical Hotel de Paris is one of the most storied hotels in St. Tropez–it has been around since the 1930s and was the “it” spot in the 1960s and 1970s–and is also in a great location, within walking distance from both the Citadelle and the harbor. While the hotel offers several bars and lounges, the new Le Suffren is what is drawing the most attention. With Georges Blanc as consulting chef the new café is set to offer some top notch French cuisine in a traditional bistro-like setting along with a picturesque landscaped patio.
In other exciting St. Tropez culinary news, Michelin recently gave a third star to Chef Arnaud Donckele’s La Vague d’Or. Trained by the likes of Alain Ducasse, Donckele arrived on the St. Tropez scene in 2004 and received his second star in 2010. Michael Ellis, the international director of the Michelin guides, said in a press release regarding the award:
“Arnaud Donckele’s cuisine
provides diners with a unique, unforgettable experience. His fish dishes are highly original and he has personally sought out local
producers to find the highest quality ingredients.”
If you are hoping to enjoy the summer sun in St. Tropez while dining at hot restaurants like the ones named above, think about a luxury villa rental for your vacation. Villazzo’s VillaHotel options marry the privacy and luxury of a private home with the personalized service and amenities of any five-star hotel.
