The small, unassuming resort of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville offers great ski opportunities, as you’d expect of the Savoie region. What you may not expect, however, is the exceedingly high concentration of fantastic restaurants. Boasting Michelin stars and avant-garde gastronomy, no visit to the region would be complete without a mini culinary tour
La Bouitte
This is one of the few restaurants to have received the accolade of three Michelin stars, marking it out as one of the finest restaurants in the world. While the menu offers such delights as fresh scallops and crayfish, sweetbreads, caviar and venison, the true joy of the restaurant is to be found in the selection of surprise menus.
Depending on your appetite and your budget, the surprise menus will take you through a selection of seasonal, expertly crafted and matched dishes. The exact dishes are dependent on the unique harvest for that season, ensuring high quality as well as absolute freshness, and it’s an absolute joy to entrust your meal to La Bouitte’s world class chefs.
Hotel Restaurant Gastronomique La Bouitte
Hameau de St. Marcel
73440 Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
France
+33 (0) 479 08 96 77
Restaurant Jean Sulpice (formerly known as L’Oxalys)
Named for its head chef (who is also the youngest French chef to have been awarded a Michelin star, and who currently has two), Restaurant Jean Sulpice was previously named for the region’s edible flowers, which were a formative part of the chef’s culinary education.
The restaurant serves up mouth-wateringly creative gastronomy, from more traditional flavour combinations such as pigeon cooked with gin and apples to the completely unexpected sweetbreads with grapefruit and eucalyptus. Like La Bouitte, Sulpice has also lovingly crafted an eight-course tasting menu, offering a tour de force in creative gastronomy.
Restaurant Jean Sulpice
73440 Val Thorens
France
+33 (0) 479 40 00 71
La Fromagerie des Belleville
What would a culinary trip to the Savoie region be without the traditional treats of fondue and raclette, served alongside exquisite platters of cured meats? La Fromagerie des Belleville takes a more traditional route than the above restaurants, and executes these time-honoured dishes with such skill that it deserves a mention alongside the more avant-garde establishments.
Visit La Fromagerie on a bitterly cold winter’s night, when the prospect of hot, melted cheese and richly flavoured charcuterie is too much to resist, and you’ll thank yourself for putting aside some time to enjoy the simpler pleasures of Savoyard cuisine.
La Fromagerie des Belleville
Galerie de l’Adret
73440 Les Menuires
France
+33 (0) 649 10 17 11
How to Get to Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville has no public transport connections with nearby Geneva Airport, but fortunately it’s only two hours by car or Geneva airport taxi. You’ll have to drive along the A41, crossing the Franco-Swiss border and paying a toll.
Where to Stay
Alp’hotel – With excellent access to the slopes and simple, quality rooms, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is perfect for those seeking a low cost option which allows them to save their precious budgets for some fine dining experiences!
Hotel Edelweiss – Named for the famous Alpine flower, the Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is a wonderful, family-run establishment. The intimate, friendly atmosphere combines with excellent service, good rooms and a quality on-site regional restaurant to make this a solid mid-range choice for your holiday.
La Bouitte – The restaurant discussed above is attached to a magnificent hotel, making for perfect accommodations for the gourmet holidaymaker. In addition to the three Michelin-starred restaurant, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville also offers luxurious rooms and a spa, perfect for holidaymakers who are ready for some delicious pampering in a gorgeous setting.
