The story begins in 1976. René and Marie-Louise Meilleur open a wooden chalet called La Bouitte, meaning ‘the little house’ in Savoyard dialect. Their ambition is simple: to welcome skiers and hikers with comforting dishes. But in 1981, René discovers the cuisine of Paul Bocuse. It was a revelation: a cu- rious autodidact, he understood that gastronomy could become a language, a poetry of taste. In 1996, his son Maxime joined him: together, they invented a cuisine rooted in the Savoyard ter- roir: lake fish, cheeses, game, herbs and flowers picked in the mountains, free, imaginative and sincere gastronomy. Today, the tradition continues with a new generation. Oscar, 22, trained in prestigious establishments (Plénitude in Paris, Clos des Sens in Annecy, Flocons de Sel in Megève, Cheval Blanc in Courchevel), brings a fresh and refined perspective. At his side, his brother Calixte, 16, is enthusiastically beginning his apprenticeship. Three generations now cook side by side: René, Maxime, Oscar and Calixte. A rare continuity, where gestures, know-how and values are passed on and reinvented. But what really sets La Bouitte apart is the spirit of family and sharing that animates the
establishment. Here, hospitality is not an artifice: it is natural, instinctive, sin- cere. It is also embodied in the atten- tion to the smallest details, in a smile, in an exchange, in the constant desire to offer the very best. The chalet hotel, Relais & Châteaux 5 stars, extends this philosophy. Wood, stone, antique furniture, warm fabrics: mountain authenticity blends with dis- creet refinement. The rooms and suites are intimate cocoons where you can re- charge your batteries facing the peaks. The ‘La Bèla Vya’ spa, with its swimming pool, hammam, sauna and nature-in- spired treatments, invites you to relax and unwind, as a generous extension of the culinary experience. Coming to La Bouitte is not just about enjoying a two-Michelin-starred res- taurant. It is about entering a living house, where you instantly feel wel- come, recognised and pampered. It is about experiencing the Meilleur spirit: a close-knit, humble and passionate fam- ily that simply passes on what is most precious to them.
www.la-bouitte.com
A
t Saint-Martin-de- Belleville, in the heart of the Three Valleys, La Bouitte is an exceptional m o u n t a i n restaurant, distinguished by two Michelin stars.
It is the story of a family adventure in which three generations of the Meilleur family have combined their talents, guided by a core value: generosity.
48
CLASS & RELAX LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE ~ 2025
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker