The story
In Spa, a town known for its thermal springs, L’Art de Vivre occupies an early 19th-century building that, as the team puts it, seems to have come straight from New Orleans. Set at the corner of Square Maréchal Foch, next to Parc des Sept Heures, the house combines classic elegance with a relaxed warmth.
Chef Jean-François Douffet welcomes guests with more than four decades of experience – nearly thirty of them spent perfecting his own Art de Vivre. The dining room is dressed in warm tones and drapes, while the teak terrace sits around a fountain, bordering a small herb garden. It is an inviting setting for a meal that reflects the chef’s steady, accomplished approach to Modern French cuisine.
The restaurant holds a Michelin Recommended distinction, a nod to the consistent quality of its cooking. Menus are offered at three, four, or five courses, priced at €62, €74, and €79 respectively. The emphasis is on precise technique and fresh ingredients, though the kitchen adapts easily to vegetarian preferences.
Diners can enjoy lunch or dinner here. The restaurant also accommodates private parties and semi-private dining, and the terrace is a draw in warmer months. The space is wheelchair accessible. Reservations are encouraged.
L’Art de Vivre is currently on holiday; it reopens on Wednesday, June 24. When it does, the herb garden will again supply the kitchen, and the fountain will murmur beside tables filled with guests discovering why this address in Spa continues to earn its reputation.
Recognition
Ambience
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