Tag Archives: Restaurants

Courchevel, France: Fooding And Spa

France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Restaurant-Nikki-Beach-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Lunch

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The Café Nikki by Nikki Beach

After arriving at the White Courchevel 1921 hotel, Nathalie who knows my (simple but sharp) tastes, invited me to lunch at the new Café Nikki (the newest of the Nikki Beach Miami, Saint Barth etc … ). The restaurant is located in the Aquamotion, where I stay the whole afternoon for a day spa.

Wide clear space (with XXL view of the snowy landscape), nice decor and friendly team. I am happy to have a late lunch without the crowd. We meet Jade and Christophe in charge of the press and restaurant. On the menu, a very good chicken satay I struggled to finish as the quantities are large! Time flies and it’s already time to go to my appointment at the spa.,,

France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Restaurant-Nikki-Beach-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Restaurant-Nikki-Beach-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Restaurant-Nikki-Beach-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Spa

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The Aquamotion

I skied nearly every day of the week. So I decided to spoil my legs by a custom program developed by therapists of the Aquamotion‘s Spa-Balneo area. After more than an hour in the wellness area, especially in the outdoor pool (which has views of the peaks), I start my spa treatments.

First treatment in a spacious room with violet light. I plunge my legs in a kind of spa tub, divided into two compartments: one with an ice water and the other one with hot water (photos above). Step two (photo below): lying on the table, I get a scrub based on marine products, while the jets massage the entire body. 

In the bluish light room, my therapist performs a specific massage legs for 30 minutes. It combines several techniques to relax and rest my legs. And final stage, I lay down a water bed that massages the whole body (like the armchair of my Parisian beautician). And here I must confess, I fell asleep :))

When I wake up, it is in 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. and I have to hurry up and quickly go back to the White 1921 hotel, to get dressed before going dinner with a friend. I would love to keep the relaxation vibe and just go to bed!

France-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Aquawellness-Spa-Treatments-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Aquawellness-Spa-Treatments-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Aquawellness-Spa-Treatments-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The dinner

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La Saulire

The White 1921 hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, so they invited me with a friend at La Saulire, a cult gourmet restaurant in Courchevel (located close to the hotel!). By sitting, I noticed this phrase in Savoy dialect (photo above) that Jacques Trauchessec the owner of La Saulire, translates me : “It’s wedged between two wines that we best have our balance “.

As we say in French : “En bon entendeur” (as a good listener), I tasted at the end of dinner, a tear of Génépi, a Savoyard digestive … And I confirm, I don’t like digestive and always feel swallow alcohol at 90 ° ( lol)!

In the photos below, my excellent dinner started with a delicious cauliflower velouté with truffle, followed by saint jacques (I’ve never eaten as much since my last stay in the 3 Vallees) and finally a fantastic chocolate souflle!

France-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Dinner-Restaurant-La Saulire-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Dinner-Restaurant-La Saulire-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Tourist Office of CourchevelWhite 1921 Courchevel,  www.les3vallees.com  

DESTINATIONSBEAUTE & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the Tourist Office of Courchevel and White 1921 Courchevel for this beautiful invitation. As always these opinions are my own.

Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 2)

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Ice Driving

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Wow Wow!

My baptism of ice driving! I really wanted to do it! On a previous trip, I discovered the circuit de glace Alain Prost in Val Thorens (the highest ice-racing track in Europe) at the Trophée Andros race. I like motorsport, but I couldn’t test with a pilot last time.

So this time, when I was invited to this little session of controlled “steering, counter-steering, braking…” on ice, I was thrilled! The principle is simple. Christophe, a professional driver drives the race car explaining how to take turns (the most interesting for me).

Time to do few turns and the session is already over … Next step: the ice driving course… Photos below: I extend the experience of being a passanger in the classy Mini of the Val Thorens Tourist Office (you guys rock!).

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Lunch

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Chez Pépé Nicolas

Lunch in this famous alpine chalet located in between Val Thorens and Les Menuires. We have a little trouble finding the parking … The restaurant is accessible by ski or by car (you will have to walk and it climbs a bit, lol). 

What a great surprise! The place is clear and warm. And we followed the chef’s suggestion: chicken and pasta with truffles and cheese cake. A delight! Gargantuan portion (photo above). And as a light dessert, I chose a chocolate ice cream! LOL!

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Or Try The Gastronomic Brasserie

Warning, Gourmets! The Vallée des Belleville is a breeding ground for the Michelin starred chefs! During a lunch in the resort at the Montana Restaurant, I had the chance to taste the bubbly and delicious cuisine of Chef Jérémy Gillon (photos below).

Ooops, I don’t remember the exact names of our different dishes, but the photos (below) speak for themselves! It’s beautiful, colorful (to the eye and palate) and delicious!

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Le-Montana-Brasserie-Restaurant-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Jeremy-Gillon-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Nice Boutique Hotel

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In The Center of The Resort,

facing the slopes, you can stay at Le Val Thorens hotel with cool friends. Lovely interior design with a few art works (picture 4 below), the style is a mix of contemporary mountain and minimalist Scandinavian design.

The architecture of the lobby is a bit surprising, but the furniture creates a warm atmosphere (photo 5 below). I loved the view and the cozy atmosphere of my room (too bad the bathroom is very narrow). I felt so good that I skipped the dinner to not leave my bed!

Well, I still made the final push to join some friends for a drink … The breakfast room is also very nice. Unfortunately I haven’t enough time to discover the pool and spa. I have to finish my suitcase for the next resort … 

Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KHotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Val Tho Party

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.valthorens.comwww.les3vallees.com

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Val Thorens Tourist Office, for all of these stunning surprises, including the ice driving. As always, these opinions are my own.

Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 1)

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-4A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

I am back in Val Thorens

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It’s Always A Great Pleasure

returning to Val Thorens! The road is a bit long (I’m carsick). As we drive up to the resort, there is more and more snow. I am euphoric … and also a little worried watching the overcast sky (lol). During my previous visits, I learned that the weather could change very quickly. 

We head to the Club Med Val Thorens which I did the opening. This time I am invited by France Mountains to discover the Skiing into Spring: an important operation to make you want to ski in the spring (and during the Easter holidays for families), with special offers and events in different French resorts.

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Ski & Sun

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-5A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My First Slopes

Quick lunch at Club Med restaurant. I barely had time to change me that I’m on my first green and blue slopes at the Deux Lacs and Cascades … 

My ESF instructor and Aliette, managed to convince me to follow them! What a wonderful view and fullness feeling! For the first time in my life, I finally slide! It’s just magical! On the photo above: a resort view from the Deux Lacs.

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-6A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Skiing Into Spring

By late afternoon, I go to the press conference organized by France Montagnes, the Club Med and various ski resorts, held in one lounges of Club Med (photos below). Why skiing into spring?

For the very good snow, sunshine, longer days and the best argument (in my opinion): there are “fewer people on the slopes.” If like me, you hate when slopes become congested highways …

Participating stations offer great special offers, for example: free stays for children, or free ski lessons for dummies. I highly recommend you to visit this page: http://www.skiingintospring.com/offres.

The participating stations : Alpes d’Huez, Chamrousse, Châtel, La Clusaz, La Plagne, La Rosière, Le Grand Borgnand, Les 2 Alpes, Les Arcs Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Les Carroz d’Araches, Les Gets, Les Menuires, Morzine, Orcières Merlette, Puy Saint-Vincent, Saint-François Longchamp, Serre-Chevalier Vallée, Val Cenis Valloise, Val d’Isère, Val Thorens, Valmeinier, Valmorel, and Vars

France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Snowshoeing and Yoga

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Zen Fog

The day after my arrival, just before leaving the Club Med, I participate in an output Snowshoeing and Yoga. I join Brigitte Ruff, the founder of Nature Raquette and Anita, a yoga teacher I meet for the first time.

Snow and fog thick enough (almost zero visibility, pictured above), but the mind is Zen. We will not go far … enough to have the feeling of being in another dimension. Very good breathing work! Enjoy!

France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-10-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

https://youtu.be/8baeHlJQG8A

France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

France MontagnesSkiing Into Spring Club Med Val Thorens Sensationswww.valthorens.com

What I’m wearing: a First Heat Wed’ze ski vest. I use the large pockets as a complementary bag, hence my yeti silhouette (lol)! First Heat Wed’ze ski pants (warning, wide cut and the size is a bit larger than average, but the fabric is resistant and easy to wash). Quechua Forclaz 500 waterproof hiking shoes (Decathlon). Plus an Yeti underjacket and my favorite Sun Valley beanie.

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to France Mountains, Club Med Val Thorens Sensations and Val Thorens Tourist Office. As always, these opinions are my own.