Frédéric Molina à Forêt Ivre

The story

Frédéric Molina à Forêt Ivre: Michelin-Star Alpine Dining in Thonon-les-Bains

At Forêt Ivre, Chef Frédéric Molina translates the pulse of the Haute-Savoie landscape into a deeply personal, instinctive cuisine. His Michelin star, held since 2019 and complemented by the Green Star since 2020, recognizes a chef who works in harmony with the land and its 52 micro-seasons.

A Cuisine of Instinct and Place

Molina’s cooking is a “symphonie alpestre” — a free, contemporary score that draws equally from the mountain, the forest, and the lake. He describes it as a cuisine of instinct, where acidity dances lightly, salinity sharpens flavors, and a noble bitterness adds depth. The plating is intuitive and cerebral, never rigid, always keeping the plate close to its origin. This is not a show of technique but an emotional connection to what grows, grazes, and swims nearby.

A Setting That Anchors and Elevates

The restaurant occupies a building dating from 1800, perched on a hillside in Vailly with a commanding view of the Chablais peaks. That view — of the “foret ivre” (drunken forest), a unique biotope within the Géoparc du Chablais — gives the place its name. Inside, raw materials and natural textures dominate. A two-century-old Savoyard timber frame rises like a forest of beams. Local artisans — cabinetmakers, cutlers, ceramicists — contribute to every detail, from the tableware to the cutlery. An in-situ artwork by Marion Roffino adds a quiet, contemplative note.

A Complete Sensory Experience

Forêt Ivre is not just a restaurant; it offers four refined guest rooms for those who wish to linger. As Irène and Frédéric Molina put it, “Forêt Ivre is a desire to share, a need to reinvent ourselves to offer a culinary and hotel experience that reflects us.” The garden, the forest, the horizon — all are woven into the meal. The kitchen’s produce comes from a nourishing garden on the property, fulfilling a childhood dream of the chef. Whether for lunch, dinner, or an overnight stay, the house invites guests to slow down and reconnect with the essentials.