The Bite Magazine - Summer 2019 - Issue 25

A nother property owned by Alain Ducasse which he took over in 1999 and renovated in 2011 is L’Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de La Celle, one of southern France’s best kept secrets. The restaurant won its first Michelin star in 2006 and its fifth in 2012. Inter- estedly, the menu is decided each morning, instead of being planned ahead, and has a delivery of fresh produce from local suppliers and the fish market in Marseille. Chef Nicolas Perantoni creates modern twists on tradi- tional Provençal dishes such as Bouillabaisse (fish stew). This small hotel containing ten welcoming rooms named after the nuns who resided there shares its walls with a 12th century Benedictine Abbey, which would have made it convenient for them to move from one place to the other. History records that these nuns once caused a scandal by organising trysts. L’Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de La Celle has a swimming pool, built on the remains of a Roman house, which is opened from May to Sep- tember inclusive. Tucked away in a secluded spot, you can enjoy a moment of relaxation with a view of the Cande- lon Mountain and vineyards. There are also several gardens and rows of ancient cypresses while two natural springs provide water for the fountains and the vege- table garden. The walk to the Beguine convent takes you through the Herb Garden via cherry trees and fruit bushes, and you’ll be intrigued by the amazing conserv- atory of 88 grape varieties on the other side of the cypresses. www.abbaye-celle.com/en Sustainable Thinking Exhibition at Ferragamo Museum, Florence, France bite travel L’Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de La Celle, France I f you happen to be staying at one of the Lungarno Collection hotels owned by the Ferragamo family while you’re in Florence, France, this would be the perfect opportunity to visit the ‘Sustain- able Thinking’ exhibition at the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum which runs until 8th March 2020. The exhibition highlights Salvatore Ferragamo’s work and research on natural and recycled materials and will reveal to visitors the innovative techniques and fundamental ele- ments used to make fashion more sustainable. An avant-garde designer in his time, Ferragamo was one of the first designers to use unusual materials. For example, in 1936, he decorated the wedges of the Carmen sandals - made in honour of Carmen Miranda - with cork covered in mirrors and in 1938, he conceived the iconic pair of suede rainbow-coloured sandals for Judy Garland. The exhibition will be an exciting discovery of sustainabil- ity in fashion before it became the norm for designers of today. Whether it is at the Portrait Firenze where you’ll be romanced by the irresistible charm of the country and its people; Hotel Lun- garnon with blue, white and leather found in their lobby reflecting the style of an elegant boat swaying on the Arno; Hotel Continentale the place to see and be seen as well as a catwalk for fashion; or the Gallery Hotel Art, the ideal place to experience art and photography vernissages, Florence’s prestigious hospitality is never far away. www.lungarnocollection.com Images courtesy of Ann Scott Associates