La Reserve Hotel Spa & Villas - St Tropez

This week one of our fabulous South of France consultants, Rebekah, was invited to stay at the truly incredible La Reserve Hotel Spa and Villas in Ramatuelle, St Tropez.

After a rather dreary weekend in the UK, we couldn't wait to hear more about her trip in the sunshine!

"There is no better feeling than walking through Nice airport on a sunny Friday afternoon to be greeted by your very own private chauffeur. After collecting my bags and escorting me to a luxurious Mercedes-Benz, my weekend had officially begun and off to Ramatuelle I went!"

"After what seemed like a quick 1 hour 30 minute transfer, I arrived at the La Reserve Ramatuelle. I was guided into the main reception area of the hotel with a glass of champagne, soaking in the uninterrupted views of the sea whilst my bags were taken directly to the private villa."

"Arriving at the villa via the in-resort golf buggies, I was greeted by the private butler, Anne. Anne showed me around the stunning villa and helped me to settle in.

Once ready for dinner, we headed into the charming village of Ramatuelle via the in resort chauffeur service.

La Forge - the setting for the evening! A gorgeous Italian restaurant in the heart of the old village. Our chef came to our table and personally introduced himself before explaining the delicious set menu we were soon set to experience.

"Full to the brim, we were picked up and taken back to the villa to find the turn down service you would expect to receive from any 5* hotel."

"An idyllic start to the day with a mouth watering continental breakfast served at the hotel before heading back to the villa to enjoy the sunshine and, of course, the swimming pool!"

"Lunch was served by Anne and her ultra professional team and once again, the food was immaculate."

"Our group headed into St Tropez, again by the in-resort chauffeurs. The sun was beaming and the town and port were picture-perfect. We strolled around the port, browsing the boutiques and shops until it was time for something refreshing to sip."

"Club 55 - the perfect place for a glass of Rose!"

"Time to head back to the villa for our 5pm slot in the spa. We were collected and dropped off and what followed was a heavenly 50 minute deep tissue massage - I would highly recommend to everyone! This spa was possibly the best spa inside a hotel I've ever seen."

"Afterwards dinner at the La Voile, the Michelin star restaurant in the hotel, for another divine evening of fine cuisine, wine and good company."

"The next morning arrived and poolside Pilates was on the agenda! Our wonderful instructor, Benjamin, really put us through our paces."

"A well-earned brunch was served at the villa before our weekend drew to a close and we headed back to Nice airport for our return to the UK."

"All in all, a fantastic weekend spent at La Reserve Ramatuelle where you can experience the hotel, spa and restaurant from the security of a private villa. A highly recommended choice for anyone looking for 5* service."

Contact our South of France villa & apartment specialists today for a tailor-made villa experience:

+44 (0) 1244 62 99 63 

enquiries@elegant-address.com

Top 5 Traditional French Dishes You Should Try

When people talk of French food and restaurants, they are normally referring to the fine food and wine, the sophistication and the excellent quality.
Not something simply from the supermarket, traditional and contemporary French dishes are chosen with exceptional knowledge and interest in the ingredients themselves from the quality to the origins.

Here are our Favourite Traditional French Dishes You Should Try

1. Bouillabaisse 

A stew flavoured with saffron, this beautifully warming dish is originally from the French Provencal region. Filled with a variety of shellfish and vegetables, it also includes at least four different types of fish; normally conger, scorpion fish and monkfish. Served with crusty French bread topped with rouille, a mayonnaise made with olive oil, saffron, garlic and cayenne. 

2. Piperade

A specialty in the South of France and Basque areas, Piperade takes advantage of the excess of rich tomatoes and colourful peppers in the area. Again served with crusty bread, baking eggs into the dish makes this meal super tasty.

3. Coq au Vin

One of the most famous French dishes, Coq au Vin varies slightly from each region like most French meals. Originally made with rooster but now more commonly with chicken, this dish is warming and hearty. The wine sauce again varies between different regions with regards to preparation but Burgandy is the widely used choice. 

4. Escargot

Most people find themselves turning their nose up at the very thought of eating snails but this dish is an incredibly famous and popular delicacy. Served as an appetiser, the snails are removed from their shells, cleaned and placed back in after being prepared with a garlic butter sauce. The dish even comes with its own utensil; a handy pair of tongs used to hold the shell.

5. Crepes

To end on a sweet note, crepes are a very traditional dessert eaten all over France. Very popular and normally eaten sweet, cafes and shops on every corner will be highly likely to serve crepes to their hungry customers. 

If you're looking to visit the South of France for an unforgettable retreat, contact one of our luxury villa specialists today!

+44 (0) 1244 629963 

enquiries@elegant-address.com

Cannes Best Restaurant Guide

Cannes is one of the best culinary cities in France with a wide range of international influences, Michelin stars and individual restaurants; you can dine in a new restaurant every night of the week!

Below, we have created a guide to our favourite restaurants to try in Cannes for the very best food, ambiance and service on offer.

Le Park 45, Grand Hotel Cannes

One Michelin star restaurant Le Park 45 is situated on the famous la Croisette and boasts one of the best, sun-drenched terraces in Cannes! With beautiful views out to sea and their gardens, Le Park 45 is the Grand Hotel in Cannes' Michelin started restaurant that serves light and creative culinary delights with Mediterranean style.

Palme d’Or, Grand Hyatt Hotel Martinez, Cannes

Everyone has to experience the most famous restaurant in Cannes at least once in a lifetime. Holding 2 Michelin stars since 1991, the restaurant La Palme d’Or has an international reputation for its passion for food and offers a unique sensory and culinary experience. Enjoy fabulous views overlook the Croisette from the elegant white table-tops surrounded by pictures of movie stars that have visited the Palme d’Or.

A taste of the menu begins with asparagus on a bed of cucumber gazpacho, Dublin Bay prawns with beetroot or sweetbreads with a duck foie gras stuffing. Second course options like risotto with mullet roe are best left for heartier mains like Mediterranean Bass with green pea ravioli.

Mantel, Cannes

The legendary chef Noel Mantel began his career at the famous Negresco in Nice before co-running the Louis XV restaurant in Monaco and Residence de la Pinede in St Tropez. In 2002 Noel set up his own restaurant ‘Mantel’ just a few steps away from La Croisette and the Palais des festivals.

Noël Mantel creates sophisticated Mediterranean meals such as an Italian style risotto, perfectly roasted rabbit with thyme or traditional Fried zuchinni flowers, all made with passion and refinement.

Bistrot Gourmand

Bustling, friendly and simply great food. The Bistrot Gourmand is a classic Provencal bistro with bright French windows, modern art dotted on the walls and well-presented dishes of local favourites with a modern twist. The menu changes several times a week so each dining experience here will be delightfully different! We recommend the likes of the fillet of turbot in a lemon sauce with veg from the nearby Forville market which looks and tastes terrific. As do cod in fig leaves or lamb chops in a mustard sauce.

La Tonnelle

Take a gentle, picturesque cruise by boat from Cannes to visit this fantastic on the beach of Iles Saint Horant. La Tonnelle offers a unique dining experience of a relaxed and serene atmosphere whilst enjoying the local homemade wines produced by the islands monks. Serving seasonal produce, gourmet salads, fresh fish, grilled meats and other delectable Mediterranean inspired dishes.

8 reasons you need to visit France

1. It’s the European favourite

According to official statistics, tourism from within Europe accounts for more than 80 per cent of visitors to France. German’s are the biggest visitors with over 13 million a year, followed by Belgium and Italy. The Brits love it too though with 12.5 million of us jetting over a year!

2. Easy to get to

France shares its borders with eight different nations so it’s easy to ‘country-hop’ and make the make the most of your holiday, even if you just pop over for the day! It’s quick and (fairly) simple to arrive from the UK with the Eurostar and Eurotunnel as well as a fleet of ferries and of course airlines making multiple trips daily. 

3. The Weather

One of the most famous and favourable aspects of visiting the Cote d’Azur is the incredible weather. With bright blue skies, sparkling sunshine, hot summers and even enjoying mild climates during autumn, it’s no surprise that even the head to the sunny south on holiday. “Of the 60 per cent of French people who go away on holiday, some 80 per cent stay within their own country,” points out Anthony Peregrine, author of Telegraph Travel's Le Rosbif

4. The history and heritage

The French have a fantastic reputation for looking after their heritage and proudly promoting their history. They have a talent for keeping historical sites immaculate and interesting; making them relevant and exciting in the present as they were in their heyday. With war sites, historical colourful towns, chateaux’s and castles – You will find a great piece of history everywhere visit.

5. Incredible food

French food…..Enough said! It’s not all ‘escargot’, endless smelly cheese and baguettes (although we will never turn down a warm baguette fresh from the boulangerie) there are plenty of incredible foods to indulge in and dishes to try. Whether you prefer a family ran restaurant tucked away down a side street in a busy town or a Michelin star soiree with finest food imaginable, you will never go hungry – France is famous for its incredible culinary delights!

6. Fine wine 

Ever heard of a wonderful little thing called champagne? How about Claret or burgundy wine? These are all regions and marvelous types of wine that originate from France. There are 27,000 wineries in France and around 110,000 wine growers so there are plenty of famous wines and local ‘bring your own bottle to fill’ vineyards to try. Want to know the best wine bars on the French Riviera? Here is a local’s guide to their favourite wine bars in the region.

7. Perfect pit stop on a European road trip

If you are not one of the millions of people flying over to France then join the other many millions of visitors who pass through the country for a mini holiday on their way to another destination. It is well worth extending your holiday to spend a few nights on the fabulous Cote d’Azur, Paris or wine regions before heading to one of the country’s neighbours such as Spain or Italy. 

8. The mountains are calling

With its varied and incredible mountain ranges, France is one of the World’s biggest destinations for skiing. We love French skiing so much we set up a company that specialises in luxury chalets in the Alps! Whether you are looking for incredible Winter skiing or fantastic summer hiking and activities; there are plenty of stunning, popular resorts to explore and enjoy!

Top 5 French Riviera Dishes

There are so many delightful dishes to try on the Cote d’Azur with each town having its own twist and specialities on French classics. Seaside cities such as Cannes, St Tropez and Cap Ferrat have a seafront influence, with some of the best restaurants by their harbours with a fabulous selection of fresh fish on their menus.

We have created a list of our favourite dishes to try on your visit to the French Riviera and that you can attempt to make at home. Bon Apetit!

Salad Nicoise

An all time favourite and french crowd pleaser; a trip to the Cote d’Azur would not be complete without a salad Nicoise. This delicious, filling salad includes mixed salad leaves, tomatoes, red onion, olives, tuna, green beans, hard boiled eggs as well as occasionally new potatoes and anchovies. Best served with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Salad Nicoise Recipe

Ratatouille

Did you know ratatoille originated from Nice? Created in the Old Town of Nice, the ingredients can vary depending on tastes but essentially it is a mix of fresh herbs such as thyme and garlic with vegetables incudling onion, carrot, aubergine, courgette and tomatoes. This dish is often served as a side to either chicken or veal in France.

Classic Ratatouille Recipe

Soupe Au pistou

A delicious, indulgent soup made from a blend of fresh garlic, basil, olive oil and beans. This is a popular Provencal dish that can be enjoyed as a starter or a light lunch on the go.

Soupe Au Pistou Recipe

Moules et Frites

What better place to enjoy fresh mussels than sat in the French Riviera sunshine, looking out to the beautiful meditteranean sea? Hot crispy fries, a bucket of intensely fresh mussels marinated in garlic and white wine, served with a piece of crusty french baguette to mop up all of the flavour!

Classic French Mussels Recipe

Pissaladière

This is a gorgeous savoury tart made in the style of a pizza. This dish also originated from Nice, with traditional toppings inclusing caramelised onies, olives, garlic and anchovies. It’s a great choice for a starter or a lunch and you can grab it from most boulangeries for just a few euros.  

Delicious Pissaladiere Recipe

What are your favourite French dishes? Have you experienced a local delicacy whilst in the South of France? Let us know in the comments below! 

Top 5 Fabulous Places to Eat In Cannes

The Cote d’Azur offers a rich blue coastline, wonderful sunshine and delicious cuisine. With more than 300 restaurants in Cannes, ranging from Michelin-star eateries to intimate family run cafes you will be sure to find the perfect restaurant. Take a look at these five fabulous restaurants:

La Palme d’Or

One of the most famous restaurants in Cannes La Palme d’Or is a 2 Michelin star restaurant in the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez with modern Mediterranean cuisine. With large windows overlooking the Croisette from a gastronomic peak, the chef creates spectacular cuisine that is unique and creative while the atmosphere is enhanced by a wonderful view of the Bay of Cannes and the Mediterranean Sea. The entire restaurant team is focused to ensure excellent quality service and a memorable experience.

Fouquet’s Cannes

This restaurant promises flavourful, high quality cuisine, in  historic surroundings close to the Palais des Festivals. Fouquet is a traditional brasserie where you can enjoy authentic cuisine at any time. The menu is inventive with a twist, with a sumptuous Parisian style.  

The quality cuisine, and prestigious setting makes this restaurant truly irresistible.  

SeaSens

Dining in this 5th floor restaurant, you have panoramic views of the glamorous city with one of the most beautiful views of Cannes. The Seasens chefs mix French and Asian influences to create their wonderful cuisine, with a clever use of fresh products and spices inspired by the chefs travels around the world. 

L'Affable

This restaurant is a traditional French bistro, Where you can relax in the modern dining room and watch the chef work his magic in the adjacent kitchen. L'affable offers fantastic attentive service and a wonderful atmosphere. 

Coquillages Astoux et Brun 

This restaurant is know for having some of the best seafood in Cannes. The menu is of quality, fresh seafood including oysters and paella.  Coquillages Astoux et Brun is known as Cannes' most famous brasserie to indulge in delightful fresh shellfish, it's no surprise it's full every night, booking is a must! 

Bon Appetit!