Côté Saisons

The story

Côté Saisons: Bib Gourmand Restaurant & Guesthouse in Laroque-des-Albères

At Côté Saisons in Laroque-des-Albères, chef Nicolas Ventelon and his wife Ingrid have turned a restored 19th-century wine estate into a place where hospitality and honest cooking are the true stars. The couple met at the Ritz Paris—he in the kitchen, she in the dining room—and later honed their craft at some of France’s most prestigious addresses, including La Tour d’Argent and the Shangri-La. Their shared ambition was simpler: to open their own house, with warmth and without pretence.

The result is a dining room that feels like an extension of the home, with a shaded terrace and a kitchen that draws deeply on the Catalan terroir. Nicolas works with local products and seasonal ingredients to create a modern cuisine that is both sincere and elegant. The menu changes with the calendar, celebrating the produce of the Pyrénées-Orientales—from the sea to the foothills of the Albères.

This consistency and value have earned Côté Saisons a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin guide for twelve consecutive years. It is a recognition that rewards good quality, good value cooking, and one that the restaurant wears lightly but proudly. The accolade reflects a kitchen that does not chase trends but instead trusts the rhythm of the seasons and the quality of its sourcing.

Côté Saisons also offers five guest rooms, each with its own character, blending noble materials and romantic touches with modern comfort. The property sits quietly at the foot of the Albères, just minutes from Collioure, making it an ideal base for exploring the region. But for many, the real draw is the table—a place where the Ventelons’ shared passion for genuine hospitality and locally rooted modern cuisine comes to life, day after day.