{"id":51314,"date":"2025-09-01T18:30:31","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T16:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/?p=51314"},"modified":"2025-09-04T12:04:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T10:04:07","slug":"la-belle-vie-nos-jours-heureux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/01\/la-belle-vie-nos-jours-heureux\/","title":{"rendered":"La Belle Vie hotel & restaurant opens a new culinary chapter in Saint-Hilaire-d\u2019Ozilhan, not far from Nos Jours Heureux Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Why not relaxing at the swimming pool<\/strong>..?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just a stone\u2019s throw from the millenary Pont du Gard<\/em> edifice and Uz\u00e8s, the village of Saint-Hilaire-d\u2019Ozilhan welcomes a new destination set to leave a lasting impression, simply baptized La Belle Vie<\/em>. <\/strong><\/p>\n

After several months of renovation, this charming property has been revived by Michelin<\/em>-starred chef Denis Martin and his wife Joana, a couple driven by the desire to blend genuine hospitality, local terroir<\/em>, and the art of Proven\u00e7al<\/em> living. Therefore, La Belle Vie<\/em> tends to reconnect with its history by opening a new chapter, one of a house with heart, deeply rooted in its terroir<\/em>, and looking firmly to the future.<\/strong> By AP<\/em><\/p>\n

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..with an enlighted pool<\/strong>, for nighttime swimmers<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Spend a good time in Provence <\/strong>in this terrace<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Set in a typical 19th-century <\/strong>mansion, called mas<\/em><\/strong>, surrounded by a leafy park<\/strong>, the La Belle Vie<\/strong> <\/em><\/a>establishment is more than just a traditional hotel<\/strong> and restaurant<\/strong> combo, since it may be considered as a true sanctuary <\/strong>in the heart of Provence Gardoise<\/strong>. Its 11 rooms <\/strong>and suites<\/strong>, decorated in a refined <\/strong>and soothing<\/strong> style, open onto the surrounding nature<\/strong>. The heated pool<\/strong>, shaded terraces<\/strong>, and cosy reading <\/strong>and aperitif <\/strong>corners, <\/strong>beneath century-old plane trees<\/strong> invite guests to savour the southern French <\/strong>lifestyle. Open year-round, this charming venue<\/strong> is ideal for a romantic <\/strong>escape, a relaxing <\/strong>getaway, or a gastronomic <\/strong>retreat.<\/p>\n

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..in front of his refreshed dining room<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Let’s meet Denis Martin<\/strong> with his costume.. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the culinary<\/strong> side, the founder and chef Denis Martin<\/strong> offers a style that reflects his Avignon roots<\/strong>, so to say a clear <\/strong>and refined gastronomy<\/strong> that prioritises respect<\/strong> for the product<\/strong>. His dishes pay homage to ancestral traditions <\/strong>and local producers<\/strong>, combining fresh vegetables <\/strong>and herbs<\/strong>, a fine sense of cooking<\/strong>, and the quality <\/strong>of southern meats <\/strong>and vegetables<\/strong>. There is no unnecessary showmanship<\/strong>, but just a search for some authentic <\/strong>emotion, served in a setting, where his wife Joana Martin<\/strong> ensures guests<\/strong> are welcomed with elegance <\/strong>and warmth<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

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..but also honey<\/strong>, ceramics<\/strong>, and even knives<\/strong>, all crafted by local artisans<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Every detail<\/strong> celebrates the region<\/strong>, like delights<\/strong> from neighboring producers<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As far as we know, the chef<\/strong>\u2019s path reflects some constant dedication<\/strong>, since trained in Avignon<\/strong>, he worked in prestigious establishments<\/strong>, such as the H\u00f4tel de l\u2019Europe<\/strong><\/em> and Le Prieur\u00e9<\/em> Baumani\u00e8re<\/strong>, before joining Daniel Boulud<\/strong> in Canada<\/strong>. Upon returning to Provence<\/strong><\/em>, he supported another gastronomic<\/strong> location, better known as The Marcel<\/strong><\/em> restaurant in S\u00e8te<\/strong> to earn its Michelin<\/em> star<\/strong> in 2019<\/strong>, where he served as executive chef<\/strong> for three years. With La Belle Vie<\/strong>,<\/em> he now embraces a human-scale <\/strong>project, a shared vision<\/strong> where authenticity<\/strong> and complicity<\/strong> flourish. Thus, each dinner<\/strong> becomes there a collective story<\/strong>, linking the actions<\/strong> of producers<\/strong>, the know-how<\/strong> of artisans<\/strong>, and the creativity<\/strong> of a chef<\/strong>, rooted in his own South<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe wished to preserve the soul<\/strong> of this place<\/strong>, while bringing in our own identity<\/strong>, such as honest <\/strong>cuisine<\/em>, warm hospitality<\/strong>, and simplicity<\/strong>, as a our way of life<\/strong><\/em>\u201d, explains Denis Martin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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..many have even a lucky panorama<\/strong> to admire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Each room<\/strong> seems to be worn with local patterns<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Behind its stone walls<\/strong>, 11 elegant rooms<\/strong> invite you to slow down, natural wood<\/strong>, soothing hues<\/strong>, wide windows<\/strong>, overlooking the garden<\/strong> and heated swimming pool<\/strong>. Along the park<\/strong>‘s paths, corners<\/strong> dedicated to reading<\/strong>, aperitifs<\/strong>, or relaxing<\/strong>, evoke the sweetness of a sort of eternal Proven\u00e7al<\/strong> <\/em>summer, spent under the shade of comforting plane trees<\/strong>. Indeed, in warmer<\/strong> months, the spacious terrace<\/strong> becomes a natural extension<\/strong> of the dining room<\/strong>, turning every cocktail<\/strong> or dinner<\/strong> into a real open-air <\/strong>experience, where at the table<\/strong> the soul of the place<\/strong> can be expressed.<\/p>\n

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..starting here with a tempting appetizer<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Have a look at the seasonal cocktail<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the summer<\/strong> season, Denis Martin<\/strong> offers a surprising Menu \u00c9motion<\/strong><\/em>, a multi-course<\/strong> experience, where each dish<\/strong> interacts with the Gard<\/strong> region’s terroir<\/strong><\/em>. The adventure<\/strong> begins with canap\u00e9s<\/strong> <\/em>with local accents<\/strong>, including ancho\u00efade<\/strong> <\/em>and marinated fennel<\/strong> tartlet, a reinterpretation of N\u00eemes<\/strong> cod brandade<\/strong><\/em>, or Taggiasche<\/em> olive<\/strong> brioche<\/em>, served with olive oil<\/strong>, from Moulin de Romanou<\/strong><\/em>. As a prelude<\/strong><\/em>, a flaky brioche<\/strong> <\/em>bun with oregano<\/strong> <\/em>pairs with a fresh basil pesto<\/em><\/strong> and the liveliness of green apple<\/strong>. A colorful composition<\/strong> follows, where summer<\/strong> is reflected on the plate, where seafood<\/strong> register is intensely expressed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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..you can opt to pair this menu<\/strong> with various suitable wines<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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You can opt to pair this menu<\/strong> with various suitable wines<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is the case with seared tuna<\/strong><\/em>, enhanced by burnt peppers<\/strong>, along sea bream<\/strong> rolled in black lemon<\/strong> powder, accompanied by shellfish<\/strong> and samphire<\/strong>, before giving way to roasted veal shank<\/strong>, with guanciale<\/strong><\/em>, enhanced with grilled chard<\/strong> and a full-bodied jus<\/strong><\/em>. The sweet finale<\/strong> <\/em>celebrates Proven\u00e7al<\/strong> <\/em>apricots<\/strong>, embodied in a hazelnut <\/strong>flavored financier<\/em><\/strong>, plus caramel<\/strong> cream, and apricot<\/strong> sorbet. As you can imagine, a genuine combination<\/strong> of freshness<\/strong> and indulgence<\/strong>, just before a selection of fruity mignardises<\/strong><\/em>, through crystallized<\/strong> herbs, and herbal infusions<\/strong>, bringing this gourmet ballet<\/strong> <\/em>to an happy end<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

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La Belle Vie<\/strong><\/em><\/a> restaurant & guesthouse, 4 avenue Paul Blisson, 30210 Saint Hilaire d’Ozilhan (France) \/ Phone: 00 33 (0)4 66 37 29 15. More details on their official website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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..most iconic <\/strong>locations, like this amazing fountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The performances <\/strong>have taken place around the village<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nearby, visitors<\/strong> can enrich their stay<\/strong> by exploring  Uz\u00e8s <\/strong>and its ducal heritage<\/strong>, touring the vineyards of Tavel<\/strong> and Ch\u00e2teauneuf-du-Pape<\/strong>, or discovering Avignon<\/strong> and N\u00eemes<\/strong> with their Roman <\/strong>legacies. The garrigue<\/strong>, the banks of the Gardon<\/strong>, and nearby hilltop villages<\/strong> complete this idyllic<\/strong> setting, where serenity<\/strong> meets some true cultural <\/strong>richness. For example, from August 21 <\/strong>to 24, 2025<\/strong>, the fancy village of Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard<\/strong>, nestled between scrubland<\/strong> and a primitive Roman<\/strong> church, dated from the 9th century<\/strong>, hosted the inaugural edition<\/strong> of the multi-faceted and promising Nos Jours Heureux Festival<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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..to discover in and around those thick walls<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This authentic Provence<\/strong> village reserves many surprises<\/strong>.. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Conceived by French <\/strong>soprano<\/em> Julie Fuchs<\/strong>, who also serves as its artistic director<\/strong>, this multicultural event<\/strong> aims to create a unique dialogue<\/strong> between classical music<\/strong> and Argentine tango <\/strong>styles. The program<\/strong> has combined concerts<\/strong>, balls<\/strong>, dance workshops<\/strong>, masterclasses<\/strong>, musical tours<\/strong>, and family activities<\/strong>, with the ambition of lending music <\/strong>accessible to all audiences<\/strong>. The line-up<\/strong> has notably featured soprano <\/strong><\/em>singer Monroe Rigby<\/strong>, mezzo-soprano <\/strong><\/em>one Julie Robard-Gendre<\/strong>, pianist Alphonse Cemin<\/strong>, and the Barcelona<\/strong>-based La Juan Romana <\/strong><\/em>orchestra, performing for the first time <\/strong>in France<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was eager to let the emotion of music<\/strong> resonate in my home<\/strong> region, by opening it up to other artistic<\/strong> forms\u201d says Julie Fuchs<\/strong>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

More details about the upcoming edition<\/strong> on their official website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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