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HomeTown France blog offers you a selection of articles devoted to the destination France, its news, culture, activities and of course, its people
Where to eat in Méribel-Les Allues and Méribel-Mottaret: the best restaurants
Skiing, altitude, the fresh air ... All these things create an appetite! And the Savoy is well known for being one of the departments of France where you eat well - that is to say good local produce, served in generous portions. It was enough for Méribel to become a gourmet paradise. But beware, the Savoyard fondue and tartiflette are not reputed to be light, dishes from Méribel are no less refined and delicious. Here, invigorating is not necessarily the opposite of delicate. Here are some of the best mountain restaurants, to eat well at Méribel Les Allues and Méribel Mottaret. To enjoy quality cuisine in a mountain setting - and on the terrace if the weather permits - follow the guide. Chalet Tonia A mountain restaurant as we like, warm, with good food that comforts after a morning on the slopes! Reblochon pie, Burger and dessert buffet, we do not refuse anything. If the weather is nice, what a pleasure to sit on the terrace and admire the snowy slopes. And if the weather is not nice, you just have to take refuge by the fireside ... In one case as in the other, it's happiness. Praised by regulars returning from year to year, Chalet Tonia has earned its reputation, which is second to none. We take the chairlift of Combes, we slide, and here we are direct to the Chalet. Do not forget to check the events on the Facebook page, as the concert nights at Chalet Tonia are popular. Chalet Tonia - Les combes, Mottaret, 73550 Méribel Les Allues - Tel. : +33 4 79 00 45 11 - open every day from 9am to 4.30pm Le Cèpe With a name like this, of course you have to expect beautiful and energetic specialties that are all about boletus. Hamburger with ceps, therefore, duck with ceps and vegetables ... and even a dessert with ceps? In any case gourmands are already licking their lips, until dessert (the blueberry pie is famous). We also find the Savoyard fondue, and foie gras burger. All accompanied by a beautiful wine list. This refined cuisine, presented with great care, is highly recommended as "gourmet and generous" by the Michelin Guide, in its "Simple Standing" category. Be careful to book as the quality of the food and service made the place very popular. The Cepe - Les Merisiers building, Le Plateau, Direction Altiport, 73550 - Tel.: +33 4 79 22 46 08 Le Plantin The Plantin, two forks in the Michelin Guide, combines fine cuisine and mountain decor, with chamois trophies, driftwood and traditional agricultural equipment on the walls. We warm up at the sight of the beautiful stone fireplace. The magnificent plates showcase regional products, foie gras and country ham, as well as seafood and roast beef. At lunchtime, the restaurant is accessible by ski, for a magical walk through the forest. The Plantin - Tania Road, 73550 Méribel, Les Allues - Tel. : +33 4 79 04 12 11 - open every day for lunch from 12h to 15h30 and for dinner from 19h to 23h - reservations only by email. ROK Roc and rock is the ROK! At the foot of the slopes, a warm mountain restaurant, which brings together everything you expect: terrace and sunbeds to enjoy the sun on beautiful days, good map, friendly atmosphere and friendly service. The appetite opened by the descents, we throw ourselves on delicious tartiflettes, salads with smoked salmon, grilled meats, not to mention the desserts (it is rumored that the chocolate macaroon has its fan club!). ROK - Telecabine Pas du Lac Mottaret, 73550 - Tel. : +33 4 79 00 44 81 - open every day from 11h to 17h Restaurant du Yéti In a beautiful interior decorated with blond wood, the hotel's restaurant Le Yéti offers fine brasserie-style cuisine. With extreme attention to detail, the chef serves carefully prepared small dishes. The staff is attentive and kind, and the bar has a wealth of cocktails ... Not to mention the waffles that are tasted at snack after a good day of skiing. The Yeti is also discovered in summer: the terrace is then decorated with a heated pool, a petanque terrain and games. Restaurant of Yéti - Rond-Point tracks, 73550 - Tel. : +33 4 79 00 51 15 Adray Télébar On the south-facing terrace, you can enjoy the veal escalope with mushrooms and cream that has made the reputation of this altitude restaurant. The Adray is a venerable institution in Méribel, a classic that has been open for decades - and it is always busy, so much so that it is necessary to book at noon. However, as it is the restaurant of a hotel, it is open also in the evening, unlike most mountain restaurants. We can go there once the crowds have left the slopes, for a quiet evening by the fire, or for a gourmet snack with hot chocolate, waffles and blueberry pies. Adray Télébar - Path of the Adray, 73550 - Tel. : +33 4 79 08 60 26 Le Clos Bernard The Clos Bernard, well hidden in the forest, is accessible by ski at the feet, from the chairlift Loze Express and the Track of the Animals. On Wednesday evening, Le Clos Bernard offers a Savoyard evening that begins in a magical atmosphere, with a torchlight arrival and a welcome with mulled wine. Follows a traditional Savoyard fondue, to the sound of the accordion, and all ends on the inevitable tart with blueberries. On Thursdays, there is a grill party on a wood fire, with a musical atmosphere by the fire. The Clos Bernard - Lieu-dit Les Bernards, 73550 - Tel. : +33 4 79 00 00 07 - open from 12h to 16h from Friday to Tuesday, and for dinner on Wednesday and Thursday
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Where to eat in Méribel-Les Allues and Méribel-Mottaret: the best restaurants
Oysters and tielles: discover the gastronomic specialties of Sète
Sète does not fail the reputation of the Great South: we eat a lot, and very well. At the edge of the beach or around the port, in the small streets of the city center as in the Halles of the city, the small producers' shops and the restaurants compete to open our appetite. Around Sète, we discover with joy the opportunity to taste oysters Bouzigues at the edge of the Thau Pond. So let's go for a little tour of the local specialties, and places to taste them. Enjoy oysters in Sète: oysters from Étang de Thau The first specialty of Sète is the oyster. Oyster farming was practiced very rudimentary in ancient times, but it was at the beginning of the 20th century that the proud "shellfish farmers", the oyster and mussel breeders, developed a new technique: the technique of oysters stuck. Antoine Louis Tudescq, whose small village of Bouzigues still keeps the memory, develops an ingenious process, which consists in sticking the young oysters by the shell to a support, thanks to a little cement. Indeed, Thau Pond, being a pond, has no tide: in this environment comparable to a lagoon, oysters must be raised in suspension. After several technical attempts more or less successful over the years, we "stick" today oysters on ropes. This gives the very particular landscape of the Étang de Thau, with its oyster "tables" and their ropes hanging in the water. The oysters, permanently immersed, obtain a beautiful and very regular hollow form, as well as a flesh firm, fleshy, with a good taste of iodine. They take advantage of all the richness of the waters of the pond, which are brackish, both fresh and salt water. If the idea of eating a crustacean still alive does not please you more than that, know that there are delicious recipes cooked oysters (butter, for example). And be aware that the oyster is not the only shellfish raised in the Thau Basin: the mussels of Bouzigues, they are as fleshy and tasty, are a little larger than the mussels of the Atlantic Ocean. Where to eat oysters and seafood in Sète To enjoy fresh oysters at the edge of the water, nothing better than to go directly to Bouzigues, or Port Saint Felix Loupian. The town hall of Bouzigues gives a list of local producers on its website; we will take the opportunity to walk quietly through the streets of this lovely little fishing village with a Mediterranean charm. Chez Petit Pierre As for many producers in the region, at Chez Petit Pierre oysters are a family affair: the love of the profession is transmitted from father to son. In his shop-studio on Avenue Tudescq, Pierre offers oysters and mussels from his production, as well as regional products, such as tielles, and homemade dishes, soups, stuffed squid, small octopus salad, all to be tasted accompanied by a few sips of Muscat de Frontignan, with a magnificent view of the Étang de Thau. Chez Petit Pierre - Avenue Louis Tudesq, 34140 Bouzigues - Tel. : 04 67 78 30 50 Pascal Migliore Pascal Migliore deliberately chose the quality and maintains a small craft production that surrounds it with a constant care. In his workshop on the port of Loupian, he proposes two varieties of oysters, Bouzigues' oyster with a pronounced taste, and Generra, with a more subtle taste. Oysters Migliore - Port Saint Felix, 34140 Loupian Licciardi et fils On the port of Loupian, Licciardi and sons are busy to provide beautiful oysters to individuals who crowd in front of their stall, but also the many fishmongers, and restaurants of Sète and of Marseillan they supply. You can taste Licciardi oysters at the restaurant La Ola! and the fish shop L'Étoile de Mer, Marseillan beach. Licciardi and son - Port de Loupian, 34140 Bouzigues - Tel. : +33 7 81 01 47 19 The Ola - 201 Lido Promenade The Starfish - Rue du Commerce, 34340 Marseillan Huîtres-Bouzigues Simon and Philippe have joined forces to create the company Huîtres Bouzigues, and their success is unstoppable. Their stall at Les Halles de Sète is a treat, but do not forget their oyster bar, l’Annexe, rue André Portes. In a simple and relaxed, we come to taste their beautiful oysters Philémons, as well as mussels, whelks and knives, directly from the producer. We also find their products at Bistrot du Marché, rue Alsace Lorraine. Les Huitres Bouzigues - Halles de Sète, Rue Gambetta, 34200 Sète - stand open every day from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm The Annex - 16, rue André Portes, 34200 Sète - Tel. : +33 7 81 03 16 36 - open from 11h to 22h every day except Monday Where to eat a real Selleoise octopus? The tielles is a delicious octopus pie, in a spicy sauce with tomato and spices (paprika, saffron). The garnish is slowly cooked slowly to reduce and become unctuous; it is then poured into a pie dish before baking. On arrival, a beautiful golden pie, whose dough crispy on the outside, has remained soft inside, with a gourmet garnish whose fragrance is immediately mouthwatering! But beware, any seafood pie is not a trivial one! The best products are found at Dassé and Cianni. These two families are the descendants of Adrienne Virduci, the cook who, in 1937, created the recipe of the tielles by adapting the culinary tastes of Italy, her native country, to the local products of Sète. The real tielles are, of course, in Sète, directly at the producers or at the restaurants that buy their goods at home. We find the Tielles Dassé in the city, rue de Copenhagen, but we can also enjoy them at the Halles des Salins, Quartier Villeroy, and Mèze, in the workshop-shop which is open until 20h at night, even on Sunday. .. In other words, perfect for a little gourmet stop on the way back from the beach! As for Tielles Cianni, they have a shop at Les Halles de Sète, rue Gambetta; another, at Sophie Cianni, high street Mario Roustan, and finally Tielles Cianni-Marcos have their own shop rue Honoré Euzet. Tielles Dassé - 1, rue de Copenhagen, 34200 Sète - Tel. : 04 67 43 77 01 - Workshop and shop, departmental road 613, Mèze - Tel. : 04 67 43 12 98 - Halles des Salins, 153, road to 4 songs, 34200 Sète - Halles de Sète, rue Gambetta, from 8h to 19h30 from Tuesday to Sunday. Tielles Cianni-Marcos - Halles de Sète, rue Gambetta - every day from 8h - 24, rue Honoré Euzet, 34200 Sète - Tel. : 04 67 74 16 23 Tielles Sophie Cianni - 19, high street Mario Roustan, 34200 Sète - Tel. : 04 67 43 60 62
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Oysters and tielles: discover the gastronomic specialties of Sète
Sète, a tide of festivals
Sète, there is no less than 17 festivals each year. The summer season has of course the lead. However, when the summer crowds are gone, spring and fall continue to resonate. From the end of March to the end of October, the festivals succeed each other without a break, or almost! Sète goes out of its way to welcome music lovers, film buffs, comedian, poets, but also urban art lovers, photo buffs and boat lovers. Here is a non-exhaustive list of Sète’s cultural events: especially music, comics, poetry and street art, enough to occupy most of your 2018 year! (NB: dates provided by the tourist office or organizers are indicative and subject to change) For the music lovers... From classical music to jazz and going to French music, rap and electro, fine ears are pampered in Sète. No fewer than seven music festivals take place between April and August, most of which take place in the magical setting of the open-air Jean Vilar Theatre de la Mer, overlooking the Mediterranean - and the setting sun, or the starry night , depending on the time of the concert. On evenings concerts, a free water bus connects the city center to the Theatre de la Mer. MusicaSète, classical music, from march 28th to April 11st 2018 MusicaSète brings together the instrumental ensemble Contrepoint and the Choir of Sète, as well as an assembly of musicians and opera singers. Young rising stars or seasoned musicians at the stage, the same love for music and the same disdain of conformity unites them. In 2018, MusicaSète will offer, as usual, an eclectic program of high fly which puts the curiosity in appetite: lieders, tribute to Ravel and Debussy, as well as to the Argentine composer Ariel Ramirez and his Misa Criolla. MusicaSète Festival, Saint-Pierre Church and Molière Theater Quand je pense à Fernande, French song, from 23rd to the 27th of June A wink to one of Brassens' most gaudy songs, the French song festival Quand Je Pense à Fernande brings together la crème of Francophone songwriters. In 2017, Charlélie Couture, Philippe Katerine and Catherine Ringer followed one another on the Théâtre de la Mer stage, after Bénabar, Thomas Fersen and ZAZ in previous years. French Song Festival Quand je pense à Fernande, Théâtre de la Mer. Worldwide Festival, électro, disco, hip hop, jazz, from June 30th to July 7th The Worldwide Festival, invests in the whole city: at the Theatre de la Mer in the evening for live sets then a dance floor for clubbing, in town and at the beach during the day, it's a whole week of Street parties and Beach parties. The festival is the baby of Gilles Peterson, DJ, animator of the BBC and founder of the Talkin'Loud & Brownswood labels. Since 2006, he has cultivated a sharp-tasting programming: the jazz and electro atmosphere that serves as the foundation of the festival (not to mention disco and hip-hop) is mingled with inspirations from around the world. Thus the 2017 edition was interested in sounds from South Africa, Niger and Jamaica. Worldwide Festival, Théâtre de la Mer and many places in the city. Jazz in Sète, from the 12th to the 20th of July Jazz in Sète, because there are few pleasures purer than that of savoring the blue note feet in the waves. The festival offers every year a demanding program that knows how to attract the big names of jazz. Without concern for completeness, here is a little mouthing of the musicians who have invested the stage of the Theatre de la Mer in the past: Georges Benson, Winton Marsalis, Boby Mc Ferrin, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Mélodie Gardot, Avishai Cohen, Gregory Porter, Beth Hart, Cory Henry, Trombone Shorty, Stanley Clarke... Jazz in Sète, Théâtre de la Mer Fiest'A Sète, world music, 21st of July to the 7th of august Fiest'A Sète is in fluidity, just at the time of the sacrosanct cross of the julyists and Augustians: the first week of the festival of world music stops here and there, for free concerts around the Bassin de Thau and Sète, before settling for the first week of August at the Théâtre de la Mer. The festival swarms in town and on the beach for exhibitions, chats and of course, before and after parties. In 2017, Eliades Ochoa, Fatoumata Diawara, rubbed shoulders with Patriarcas de la Rumba and the Ciocarlia Fanfare - excuse the little! Fiest'A Sète, traveling in the region, then to the Theatre de la Mer and several places in town. Demi Festival, hip hop, 9th to the 11th of August Scheduled for mid-August, the 3rd edition of the Demi Festival is already eagerly awaited by fans of hip hop. This independent French rap festival, created by rapper Demi Portion, is much bigger than his "little" name might suggest. Oxmo Puccino, JP Manova, Youssoupha and The Wise Poets of the Street ignited the 2017 festival. The bar is set high, attempt to transform it in 2018. Demi Festival, Théâtre de la Mer. My Life Festival, 24th to the 25th of August For the My Life festival, the Théâtre de la Mer is transformed into a gigantic club, where the crowds undulate, expertly galvanized by DJs of choice. The 2017 edition hosted Tale Of Us, Dixon and KiNK - KiNK, for example, which did not wince when a motivated spectator grabbed his keyboard. Handsome player, he even shared the video of the impromptu intervention. My Life Festival, Théâtre de la Mer Club For those who love music – and the other arts... Street art, cinema, poetry and comics, they are not left aside in Sète and also have their festival K-Live, Street art and current music, from the 27th of May to the 3rd of June The sea, the walls: the K-Live Festival creates a bridge between street art, music and visual arts. The urban art that is the heart of this festival culminated in the creation of the MaCO, the Open Skies Museum (Musée à Ciel): a walk in Sète that surprises unexpected frescos, created by the finest of street-art. In 2017, the evening concert brought together Roots Manuva, DJ Vadim and DJ Jase. K-Live, many places throughout the city SunSète Festival, cinema, from the 7th to the 12th of July After Cannes, another "croisette" settles on the shores of the Mediterranean, more relaxed but equally pro. In town, directors and renowned actors meet to offer masters classes and debates and meetings with a public of informed moviegoers. Then, at sunset, one settles on the deckchairs of the beach of the Fountain (Place Roger Thérond) for free projections in open air on a giant inflatable screen. Agnès Varda, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Abdellatif Kechiche, Laetitia Casta, Julie Gayet and Rufus have already had the honor of the festival. About fifteen shorts films, all genres combined, compete each year to win the Golden Bear, a wink to his Berlin counterpart. SunSète, at the François Mitterrand media library and Plage de la Fontaine Vivid Voices of the Mediterranean, poetry, art, music, from July 20th to the 28th This poetry festival brings together more than a hundred poets from around the Mediterranean, accompanied by storytellers, musicians, singers and actors. In the squares, streets, gardens and historic places of the city, we stop to listen and share the lively words of contemporary poets. Vivid voices, several places in town. BD Plage, cartoons, from the 25th to the 26th of August This festival "feet in the sand" takes place over two days at the Lido beach. It celebrates the Franco-Belgian comic and manga: in 2017, about twenty authors were invited, under the guidance of the Belgian cartoonist Étienne Willem, president of the festival. Between two dives, we come to admire and have ones favorite albums dedicated, or attend a workshop led by one of the guests (in 2017, it's the designer Juan who lent himself to the game with bonhomie). BD Beach, Lido beach, open to all, free entry. And for Brassens : 22 V'là Georges, from the 21st to the 28th of October Of course, we cannot forget Brassens, who has his own festival, as it should be. This one closes the season in beauty. The local child is celebrated around October 22, the anniversary of his birth. The Quartier de la Revolution is buzzing for, in the words of the association Cap Brassens, "to celebrate his birthday every year on his street, in front of his house". For a week, there are food blowouts, concerts-aperitifs and concerts all at once, in a good-natured atmosphere that would not have disavowed the cantor of des copains d’abord. Do not forget to participate in the very popular festival raffle, really well endowed! In 2017, the first prize was a guitar "model Brassens" handcrafted by the luthier Sétois Jean-Paul Le Bon. Festival 22 V'la Georges!, Concerts-apéros from 18h in the cafes and bars of the district, then concert main place of the Republic.
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Sète, a tide of festivals
Winter in Méribel: skiing, but not only
Desire for change? We come to Méribel of course, for the joys of alpine skiing - but those who want to vary the pleasures are spoiled for choice. Paragliding, dog sled rides, skijoring, ice hockey and snowmobiling: stronger or softer sensations, the menu adapts to your want. Why not telemark skiing? For experienced skiers who want to discover this discipline, it is possible to take courses in the main ski schools of Méribel. The French Ski School, ESI, Oxygène and Prosneige all offer telemark skiing courses. But telemark skiing, what is it exactly? This ski technique leaves the heel free, instead of it being attached to the ski board as in the classic alpine ski technique. It was developed in 1868 by a Norwegian carpenter, Sondre Norheim, who then emigrated to the United States. The fact that the heel is not impeded gives a very elegant look: the skier bends the inner leg to corner turns, and adopts a dancing rhythm, very stylish. Méribel is a Mecca of telemark skiing. Indeed, in January 2017 the resort hosted the Telemark skiing World Cup. And it is also the main hideout of the Lau brothers: Chris, Philippe and Sven all distinguished in national teams and who have made Méribel their headquarters. Philippe is still part of the French telemark team, like Matti Lopez, another ski telemarketer member of the Méribel club. (Learn more about telemark skiing and its disciplines on the website of the French Ski Federation) Man’s best friends: sled dog or horse hiking If you're dreaming of virgin expanses of the Far North, why not try the sleigh ride? Prosneige in Méribel does not only offer skiing lessons: you could also go hiking with sled dogs, under the expert guidance of a professional musher. During your baptism, learn the basics first during a briefing where you will learn how to handle the sled, then go on a half-hour hike. Discover the incredible sensations of gliding, in tune with a tribe of 7 to 10 beautiful dogs: huskies, Samoyed and malamutes, the most popular breeds of sled dogs, animals full of intelligence and power. Hiking with sled dogs, activity offered by Prosneige. Man’s second-best friend can also take care of the traction. Do you know of skijoring? Standing on your skis, you let yourself be pulled by a horse. Ideal for children (but not only), this activity is practiced with a first level ski star. This is the way to get acquainted with skiing while having fun, and fraternizing with a nice pony. But be careful, do not believe that skijoring is a lazy activity! In the competition version, you skate at full speed behind your horse and you cross obstacles at a vertiginous speed. Skijoring, an activity offered by the Equestrian Center of Méribel. The Center also proposes winter horseback riding. For the children: igloo and ice hockey On Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm, it's time to go on an adventure in the light of your headlamp - and find the perfect location to build an igloo yourself! Once the igloo is finished, we huddle inside to enjoy a well-deserved hot chocolate. Construction of an igloo, activity for children. For the most daredevil, Thursday from 8 pm to 10 pm, the Olympic Park rink offers introductory ice hockey sessions, with a player from the Bouquetins team. "The Bouk's", as their fans call them, shift to D1 and will play in February 2018 twice in Méribel and once in Courchevel - why not go see a match? See the calendar. Introductory Ice Hockey Session at the Olympic Park Rink. Switch to high gear in a snowmobile For thrill seekers who cannot get enough of the snow, why not revisit the trails after they close, this time on a snowmobile? As night falls, the machines vroom and rush over the snow, for a discovery hike (one driver, one passenger) or sportive one (no passenger) of about 90 minutes. The Snow Biker agency offers snowmobile trips on Méribel. Winter paragliding On skis, you can slide - but you can also float. In paragliding, skis make it easier to take off: no need to run, you just have to let yourself slide! From December 9th to April 22nd, visit the Saulire Express Gondola lift for a tandem paragliding baptism. Ready to take off with an instructor, you fly off gently in the air: this feeling of floating in the air, with nothing to hold you back, is unique. After a good adrenaline rush, we take a more calming pace as we get used to it. In the air, you will admire the landscape of the peaks as far as the eye can see. Keep an eye on what you are flying over: flights go over protected natural areas, so you may have the chance to spot eagles, chamois, deer and baby deer. At the end of your flight, if your heart tells you, your instructor will suggest you to perform some impressive but safe aerobatics maneuvers. Sorties avec Aparapente. We also have the right to not be a fan of ski... The children are in the ski lessons, Mr. (or Mrs.!) went exploring the mogul walls on the black slope ... As for you, you would like to stay warm, and you would to take some time to pamper your skin a little, affected by the sun, the cold and the wind! Rendez-vous at the Spa des Neiges by Clarins, at the Hotel Allodis. You could, for example, take advantage of the "Les Matins Zen" special, with access to the steam room, sauna, swimming pool and fitness, and a treatment of 25 or 50 minutes, between 10h and 14h. Spa des Neiges by Clarins, at the Hotel Allodis, Le Belvédère, 73550 Méribel.
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Winter in Méribel: skiing, but not only