Chanel inaugurated its wintertime boutique in the world’s most star-studded valley – with the palaces and iconic tables of Courchevel.
Courchevel – The Most Luxurious Ski Station
If the Courchevel slopes can indeed be used for a quick ski, people gather here for its many palaces and highly luxurious spots. Planted in the heart of a valley perched by the Savoie mountain, Courchevel figures as a highly distinguished ski station. One must only list its iconic palaces to know it.
The Barrière Courchevel, the first hotel perched in the mountains thought up by the pioneers of luxury tourism: the Barrière family. Here, we let ourselves be lulled by larch wood and silky fabrics.. We marvel in front of the chimney. Barrière Courchevel is the charm of mountains harmonised to a very modern and genial design.
And since luxury is not only a question of feelings, the hotel also serves high gastronomy in its iconic brasserie: Fouquet’s. Even better? Its spa, allover grandiose. With its 1000m2, it is the largest in the entire ski station! Inside, a majestic pool and exterior jacuzzi put the senses in focus. A truly unique emotional experience.
Place of dreams and utopia at Courchevel, the Cheval Blanc palace impeccably combines 5 stars with authenticity. It must be said that at the beginning, Bernard Arnault wanted it as his private chalet. Failing to receive authorisation, he made the Cheval Blanc a jewel of the region. The secret? All the chic of the LVMH group.
Noble woods and patinated leathers blend with high-tech cutting edge gear. Then comes Bernard Arnault’s passion for contemporary art. Paola Pivi, Jeff Koons, Xavier Veilhan … the works are spread out everywhere. Like this Trojan Horse by Bruno Peinado – majestic. The spa is a Guerlain affair. High rendezvous of the luxury house, the treatments here are specifically tailored to winter sports.
The White 1921, latest LVMH group creation on the Courchevel domain is also entirely dedicated to well being. If the hotel does not have a restaurant it is because it prefers to concentrate on treatments for after a long day hitting the slopes. To relax in the sauna or hammam.. for the more sporty ones there is a super modern fitness room to accompany daily trainings. Finally, for those avid of a more intellectual relaxation, the hotel proposes a library that will know how to enchant all vagabondage of spirit.
In Courchevel The Palaces Follow Another But No Two Are Alike
At least not for extreme luxury. The Airelles de Courchevel was given the title of “best mountain hotel in the world”. Why? This fairytale-like chateau niched in the snowy valleys of Savoie offers a true avalanche of well being that forged the reputation of this palace.
Built in 1850 in a most enchanting Italo-Tyrollean-Hungarian style, Les Airelles is decorated in woodwork, antiques and ancient carpets. The 37 rooms and 14 suites that make up the hotel are roofed by antique wood, and handmade ceramic. Culinary side – the starred chef Pierre Gagnaire excels; many tables at a time.
For lunch the generous buffet of the Table du Jardin Alpin. For dinner it is the Cala di Volpe for Les Airelles that proposes an Italian and Sardinian cuisine. Pierre Gagnaire for Les Airelles , with his 2 Michein stars, works this place of high gastronomy with specialities also based on the best cheeses, of course!
The Cellcosmet spa for Les Airelles offers a moment of pure relaxation: massages, cellular treatments, pool and personal training, fitness area, themed saunas, hammam, interior and exterior whirlpools, sensory shower and without forgetting the exceptional and unique snow cave. All this in the heart of the most en vogue of french ski resorts.
Another place to stay at Courchevel – the K2 with its allures of a Himalayan chalet. The lines of the K2 could only have been inspired by this mountainous and particularly beautiful region of Tibet and Nepal where temples are as suspended between sky and earth. It is marvellous: sourcing its sense and origin in the challenge and accomplishment of a dream, the K2 takes on airs of a haven of luxury situated in the centre of the cosy valleys of Savoie.
5 private chalets imagined by Philippe Capezzone take root in the heart of the mountain while 29 rooms and suites of the hotel illustrate it’s exceptional character. Whereas the Goji Spa that stretches for 550 m2 spread on two floors thrives on the ancestral savoir-faire put into modern light by a team of devoted experts.
Another restaurant in Courchevel? The K2 hosts Kintessence gastronomic restaurant that won a second star in the 2014 Michelin guide. A most worthy prize for the cuisine of Chef Nicolas Sale, inspired, pure, and never ceasing to impress by putting local produce in the spotlight. Rigorous and sincere, the cuisine of Kintessence opens its doors when night appears in the midst of the magic of a place out of the ordinary.
But in Courchevel there are many grand restaurants! The Comptoir de l’Apogée for example. Known for the brasserie under Jean-Luc Lefrançois —at centre stage? A creamy Jerusalem artichoke, fine truffled poultry dumpling, pine-honey caramelised veal shank, parsnip mousseline…
Courchevel’s Chabichou, Formidable Family Saga
It is the dear favourite of Courchevel. This hotel that has now received four stars, is located where a white on white landscape dominates over the slopes and is the work of at that time young couple, Michel and Maryse Rochedy. In 1963 they acquired a small 9 room chalet. A little hotel where Michel is in charge of the restaurant, Maryse of the rooms – their goal: to create happiness at the foot of the ski slopes.
Their beginnings were delicate and when the full nine rooms are rented out by chance, the Rochedy made themselves a bed out of the dining room… However their devotion was such that as of the 1970s, the Chabichou gained its first stripes in hospitality when it received 2 stars. Little by little the couple and their team were looking to create an ambiance, an atmosphere enveloping softness and discretion as if to liberate the imagination of the guests.
In 1984 it is the hotel’s restaurant table that becomes noticed with Michel Rochedy receiving a 2nd star in the Michelin Guide after having already received a Bottin Gourmand and Gault Millau. . A doubly starred restaurant that would contribute to the renown of the hotel whose reputation had become indisputable thanks to its cuisine.
In 2003, for its 40 years the Chabichou decided to refresh its look and take on a white coat. It will now be the white pearl of Courchevel. Two elegant white-wood chalets, 41 rooms and 8 suites make up the love nests with absolute comfort and refinement.
All the more, its magnificent Cha’Banya opened end of 2011 is a delicious 1100m2 underneath the slopes.
Courchevel – 14 Stars for 2400 People – and Chanel!
For this winter season, Chanel has indeed decided to install itself once again at the iconic ski station of Courchevel. The letters of Chanel now illuminate the place du Rocher in red neons.
A graphic contrast that reminds us of the strength of Coco Chanel’s fashion. A style that is found in the white facade with embedded black-edged vitrines. Inside, the activewear with its references to Coco Chanel fashion abound, black, white, beige and khaki interwoven with tweed. The wrought-iron staircase reminds us of the one at 31 rue Cambon.
A 160m2 boutique that welcomes the Cruise 2019/20 collection and the Coco Neige line imagined by Virginie Viard. Bags and accessories as well as timepieces and jewellery. Something to remind us of the simplicity of the Chanel style – everything mixes with a complete liberty of tone. A place that comes to complete de charm of a ski vacation. But in an extra-luxurious version.
