At Hotel Les Roches, the Mediterranean is impossible to ignore. Set directly above the rocky coastline of Aiguebelle, near Le Lavandou, the hotel looks towards the Îles d’Or, with the sea just below its terraces. Architect Jean-Baptiste Pietri has given the historic property a contemporary new look. Clean lines and natural materials follow the character of the coastline, while the building itself recalls a ship anchored above the water. Its 40 rooms and suites all face the Mediterranean, combining wood, terrazzo and contemporary art with uninterrupted sea views.
Les Roches also comes with almost a century of Riviera history. Originally known as Roches Fleuries, it became a fashionable summer address in the 1930s. Thomas Mann stayed here with his family in 1933. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Jean Cocteau, Christian Dior and Winston Churchill were among the celebrated visitors who followed. Françoise Sagan later made it her retreat while Bonjour Tristesse was being filmed in Le Lavandou.
Today, Les Roches has quickly returned to the Riviera spotlight. Its past gives the hotel character, but the new identity is decidedly modern, bringing together architecture, contemporary art, wellness and gastronomy.
Days naturally revolve around the water. The outdoor pool faces the Îles d’Or, while L’Oiseau Bleu Spa offers treatment rooms, an indoor pool, Jacuzzi and fitness facilities. With only 40 rooms and suites, the atmosphere remains intimate, far removed from the scale of the Côte d’Azur’s larger resorts.
A Michelin Star by the Sea
Food has become one of the reasons to discover Les Roches. At L’Oursin, chefs Antoine Gras and Benoît Gornard quickly attracted attention and earned a Michelin star, confirming the talent of the duo and the serious culinary ambitions behind the restaurant. Positioned by the water, L’Oursin feels almost like the upper deck of a ship. Inside, marine-inspired murals by Japanese artist Maki Ohkojima continue the connection with the sea.
The restaurant welcomes guests for both lunch and dinner, with Mediterranean produce, fish and seafood taking a leading role. The chefs also place particular importance on sauces, bringing depth and character to ingredients without losing sight of their natural flavours.
At lunch, the à la carte menu moves from oyster with artichoke and bacon to eggplant with savory and Provençal vinaigrette, mackerel with spring onion and Green Zebra tomato, and lobster with tomato and marjoram. Fish remains at the centre of the main courses: sea bass is served with zucchini and vegetables with pistou, John Dory with chanterelles and almonds, while red mullet comes with saffron potatoes and rouille. Red tuna is paired with grilled vegetables and anchovies.
Dinner offers another way into the chefs’ cooking through the “On dirait le Sud…” tasting menu. Lobster with tomato and marjoram and eggplant with Provençal vinaigrette are followed by John Dory with chanterelles and almonds and red mullet with saffron potatoes and rouille. Goat cheese with rosemary and olives brings the menu back to Provence before desserts of lemon and seaweed, followed by peach, nectarine and tagetes. Two types of wine pairing, “Terre” and “Mer”, are available for the full experience. The restaurant also offers an à la carte menu, allowing guests to choose freely from a selection of dishes.
For those dining à la carte, desserts by Andy Cassagne include figs with rose and Cinsault, chocolate with vanilla and pistachio, and peach with nectarine and tagetes. Sandra Bianchi’s cheese selection completes the meal.
L’Oursin is not the hotel’s only evening address. La Langouste sur le Toit takes dinner to the rooftop, with the Îles du Levant on the horizon. As its name suggests, spiny lobster is the star of the menu, served in dishes such as grilled half-lobster and the chef’s signature lobster pasta, while a selection of ceviches provides a fresh start to the meal. Afterwards, Bar des Roches offers cocktails and live music overlooking Aiguebelle Bay.
Today, Les Roches feels like a modern Riviera escape in harmony with its natural surroundings, where contemporary architecture, the Mediterranean and the rocky coastline come together seamlessly. With L’Oursin’s Michelin-starred cuisine completing the experience, the hotel offers a fresh expression of luxury shaped by nature, design and gastronomy.
Address: 1 Av. des 3 Dauphins, 83980 Le Lavandou
Phone: 04 83 69 33 50