Le Clos des Sens : flourishing and nourishing

The 1500m² permaculture garden, where more than 200 herbs, spices, fruits, flowers, and plants grow side by side, symbolizes their philosophy and infuses every dish. The aromatic power of herbs, the natural sweetness of fruits and berries, the subtle yet varied taste of garden vegetables all come together to express themselves in every delectable mouthful or condiment.

The dozen or so seasonal recipes change from day to day depending on the day’s deliveries, pickings, and whatever fish are caught in the morning. This is the art of living in the moment and centers first and foremost around the raw ingredients. A mouthful of greens means a concentration of flavor from the garden’s many herbs; biting into a tartlet made with peas, wild asparagus tips, and spruce tip jelly; savoring candied shallots as they melt in your mouth; spreading the taste of a piece of perfectly marinated Alpine whitefish (féra); each dish is a delectable, inspiring, and taste-bud tantalizing experience that sets the tone for a menu telling some of the most intuitively exciting stories.

On the cheese side, Clos des Sens serves a mouthwatering platter that reflects its love for celebrated Savoyard cheeses, from the Bauges to the Aravis Mountains, and from the Beaufortain to the Savoie Range. Unbeatable PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheeses like Reblochon, Chevrotin, Abondance, and Beaufort of course share the spotlight with rare gems produced in small volumes, like Termignon blue cheese, made at 2300 meters elevation and only from June to September. Served on a spruce-wood platter, these local cheeses reveal their incredibly delectable flavor, guiding your palate on a journey to the surrounding summits and neighboring ranges.

One of the most prestigious of its kind, the cellar features a selection of more than 140 known cheeses each year, handpicked by the expert palates of renowned cheese specialists Alain Michel, Pierre Gay, and Marc Dubouloz in Annecy, as well as directly from select local producers. The goal: to harness the very best the French Alps have to offer in terms of craftsmanship and pastoral tradition. Calling them delectably delicious would be an understatement.

A genuine springboard into a world inspired by shared cuisine in a warm and friendly atmosphere, Le Cortil invites its guests to discover a different side of Clos des Sens, exploring the restaurant’s unique ethos in another light. With fresh herbs and vegetables picked straight from the garden, the chefs deliver a refined cuisine, simple at its core, without ever sacrificing inventiveness or creativity. Vegetables are grilled, fruit candied, fish and meat cooked to perfection over the glowing coals and beech-wood flames, unveiling new layers of flavor in a style of cuisine inspired by the here and now of the summer season.

Through the season’s embers, feast on roasted fennel, grilled artichoke tart, glazed fish sausage, or grilled féra fish. Your senses ignite during the warm summer night as your taste buds titillate while savoring such mouth-watering fruits as cherries or strawberries. In the garden, so many dishes burst with flavor, carried by the irresistible aromas of a well-tended fire.

Le Cortil

The bedrooms, each with its own personality, bear names inspired by elements from the local natural environment (fish from the lake, local species of trees, local plants and mountains) and reflect the establishment’s culinary and artistic spirit. The “Signature Rooms,” bright, spacious, and thoughtfully decorated, inspire guests to relax and unwind in an atmosphere where wellness and design exist in perfect harmony.

Staying in such a remarkable place, where the décor is enhanced with original artwork and objects that showcase local artisanship, is a truly unique experience that continues through breakfast. The day’s first meal is crafted like a tasting menu, celebrating ingredients from local producers and growers. Yet another way to feel the soul of an establishment devoted entirely a symphony for the senses.