Le Restaurant du Couvent is a new restaurant nestled in the heart of Nice, offering a dining experience that merges history and modern luxury. Once a 17th-century convent, this restaurant invites guests into a space that reflects its rich monastic past while enjoying the best of Southern French cuisine.
This was originally a convent for the Poor Clare and Salesian orders of the Catholic Church, the property remained abandoned from the 1980s until 10 years ago when the visionary hotelier Valéry Grégo discovered and transformed it. “Places with history and stories to tell, those are the kind of hotels I love,” says Grégo. Seeing the potential in the historic structure, Grégo teamed up with the acclaimed Studio Mumbai and Festen Architecture to bring back the convent’s original beauty while bringing new life into its ancient walls. As Grégo put it, “We haven’t tried to pursue beauty for the sake of it, but rather for its function. Things are beautiful here because they are useful.”
The outcome of their creative minds is a sanctuary of a mindful luxury. The original floors were kept intact and the interior is simple yet luxurious, with unique furniture and carefully selected antique pieces including a standout piece 16th-century monastery table that is highlighted in the main dining area.
Le Restaurant du Couvent’s is headed by the renowned chef Thomas Vitele, the menu is crafted with the freshest ingredients from the nearby Notre Dame farm at Touet-sur-Var which supplies the restaurant exclusively. Vitele works with the produce of market gardener Avit Ghibaudo and consults him to create a dish that brings out the area’s natural wealth. Guests can enjoy simple yet exquisite dishes including local specialties like pea tart, sea bass with artichokes, and grilled lamb. Chef Vitele’s minimalist approach to dishes allows the produce’s quality to take center stage, elevated by subtle spices that make each bite unforgettable. Their natural wine selection also complements the menu perfectly and the expertly crafted Negroni in the garden is the perfect pre-dinner indulgence.
What truly sets the restaurant apart is its dedication to preserving local savoir-faire. Bread is baked in the same location where the convent’s nuns once baked theirs, honoring centuries-old traditions. As Grégo notes, “Having our own farm means making a commitment to the living world.”
Le Restaurant du Couvent is just a part of a bigger luxury experience at Hôtel du Couvent which takes pride in its 70 rooms and 18 suites, each designed with natural tones and antique touches. Guests can also enjoy a 66-foot lap pool, a Roman-inspired spa with a tepidarium and caldarium, and an exercise studio offering yoga and Pilates. For people interested in wellness, there is an onsite herbal shop run by Gregory Unrein a skilled herbalist who crafts traditional apothecary remedies using local herbs, continuing a practice of the nuns that once lived there. The hotel also holds bread-making classes and apothecary workshops, further involving the guests in the property’s rich history and traditions.
If you are looking for a quiet drink or a lively social setting this hotel has two bars for a range of experiences. Moving on to their garden La Guinguette provides a relaxed option for a lighter or more casual meal experience, ensuring that the property is welcoming to both locals and travelers alike. Another thing to appreciate in this hotel is that they are eco-friendly, from their locally sourced food to their sustainable design elements, such as uniforms made from old bed sheets and a zero-plastic policy.
Le Restaurant du Couvent truly offers an experience that goes beyond just dining—it’s an opportunity to connect with history, nature, and the essence of mindful luxury. Whether you’re drawn by the simple, fresh cuisine or the beautifully preserved setting, this restaurant is truly one-of-a-kind.
For more information:
Address:1 Rue Honoré Ugo, 06300 Nice France
Telephone: +33 4 12 05 55 61
For reservation: reservation@hotelducouvent.com
Website: www.hotelducouvent.com
