The saga of the Chèvre d’Or

Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Mediterranean between Nice and Monaco, the Chèvre d'Or is a one-of-a-kind Relais & Châteaux hotel. Follow in the footsteps of Walt Disney, Lauren Bacall or Leonardo di Caprio for an exceptional experience.

CÔTE D'AZUR - Welcome to the Chèvre d'Or. Set at the heart of the medieval village of Èze and revered by travellers from all over the world for decades, the hotel’s history alone makes it worthy of the #SoBARNES treatment. It all began in the 1930s, when Croatian violinist Zlatko Balokovic discovered Èze with its sleepy sun-drenched alleyways and terraces overlooking the sea. Legend has it that he was guided by a golden-haired goat to an imposing building that he immediately fell in love with and that he bought and later restored over the years before it eventually became the Château de la Chèvre d'Or (‘Castle of the Golden Goat’). And so the myth was born... Another version of the story, as told by the oldest inhabitants of the village, maintains that the first owner of the house bred goats and used to hide the money made from the animals’ milk behind the stones of one of the walls. Years later, the premises were renovated and the treasure discovered in the process.

British hotelier Robert Wolf was swept away by the château’s charm and decided to buy it in 1953 and convert it into a restaurant. The real light-bulb moment, however, came in 1956, when a certain Walt Disney also fell under its spell, and it is he, in fact, that is believed to have inspired Robert Wolf to turn the restaurant in Èze into a luxury hotel. Unable to extend the residence, Wolf decided to purchase the neighbouring houses, which he gradually converted into rooms and suites. The hotel would later become one of the 6 stops along the Route du Bonheur, a forerunner to the Relais & Châteaux collection, of which the Château de la Chèvre d'Or is now one of the standard-bearers.

Chic, modern, understated luxury

The Chèvre d'Or has grown over the years, with the number of rooms and suites steadily increasing from 14 in 1991 to 36 by 2002 and 44 in 2020. Monarchs, movie stars and rockstars alike, from Lauren Bacall to Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor and Humphrey Bogart, Robert de Niro, Leonardo di Caprio and Bono, have all graced the hotel with their presence. But you won’t find any hint of ostentation here; what you will find, however, is chic, understated decor and the level of comfort and amenities you would expect of a modern luxury hotel, together with a cuisine that has continuously evolved over the years. The Chèvre d'Or won its first Michelin star in 1978 under the aegis of chef Elie Mazot and its second in 2000 with Jean-Marc Delacourt at the helm, with the current chef, Auvergne-born Arnaud Faye, maintaining the distinction. This Meilleur Ouvrier de France-winner is now beginning his fourth season in Eze, at the age of 40: “The work is just constant and the research non-stop, but I feel that my cuisine is becoming increasingly refined, particularly when it comes to reflecting the identity of the County of Nice”.

Multi-level gastronomy

The hotel’s gourmet restaurant boasts large bay windows that afford spectacular panoramic views of the coast, encompassing the Mediterranean, Villefranche harbour and Cap Ferrat in a single frame. Arnaud Faye expresses himself here through his own creative takes on classic dishes, using ingredients of the finest quality that are cooked to perfection and seasoned with great precision. A prime example is the bold union of land and sea that has become a signature dish, combining rabbit with chard, smoked octopus, Colonatta bacon and ‘herbe des falaises’ jus.

Not forgetting the hotel’s second restaurant, Les Remparts, which serves lunch al fresco on La Chèvre d'Or’s most beautiful terrace and dinner in the adjoining dining room, for an altogether more plush ambiance. Arnaud Faye and Julien Dugourd at the helm serve up an accessible and tasty Mediterranean menu using ingredients sourced from the same suppliers as those used in the gourmet restaurant. But here’s our 100% #SoBARNES tip: it would be a real shame to visit the Chèvre d'Or and not check out its third restaurant, the Café du Jardin. Complete with panoramic terrace set slightly below the hotel, making it one of the most mesmerising settings to be enjoyed anywhere on the Riviera, the café serves a lunchtime menu of grilled meats, fresh salads and pizzas showcasing seasonal local ingredients. Paradise, it seems, really is closer than you think...

[email protected]

Infos :

La Chèvre d'Or, rue du Barri, 06360 Eze-Village, France

Tél. : +33 (0)4 92 10 66 66 - Chevredor.fr / Relais & Châteaux

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