Le Clos des Sens
Refined Alpine — think exposed beams, burnt larch and fir wood panelling, local stone, and original artisan objects. Warm and intimate, not flashy. The feel is deeply rooted in Savoie, interpreted through a contemporary, nature-connected lens.
Book dinner when you book your room — the restaurant fills up independently of the hotel, and hotel guests are not automatically guaranteed a table.
Why It Matters
Holds three Michelin stars (retained through the 2023 ownership transition), a green Michelin star for sustainability, four Gault & Millau toques, three Ecotable medals, and membership in Les Grandes Tables du Monde. One of the very few properties where hotel and restaurant are equals in ambition — and the breakfast alone reads like a tasting menu.
Le Clos des Sens is, first and foremost, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant that happens to have one of the finest small hotels in the French Alps attached to it. Set in the residential hilltop neighborhood of Annecy-le-Vieux, the five-star, 11-room Relais & Châteaux property looks out over Lake Annecy and the Bauges massif — and the views from the terraced gardens are genuinely stunning. The restaurant built its reputation under founding chef Laurent Petit, who handed the reins in 2023 to head chef Franck Derouet and head sommelier Thomas Lorival. They've kept everything that made the place exceptional: a hyperlocal, plant-forward and lacustrine philosophy drawing on the three great Alpine lakes (Annecy, Bourget, Geneva) and a 1,500 m² permaculture garden growing over 200 herbs, spices, and flowers.
Where You'll Stay
3 room types available
Frêne (White Ash)
One of the named rooms, the 'Frêne' (white ash) room is documented in official press photography. Named after a native Alpine tree species, it reflects the property's nature-naming convention. Features the signature spa bath, contemporary fireplace, and nature-inspired decor throughout.
Signature Rooms (named after local nature)
All 11 rooms bear individual names drawn from the local natural environment — lake fish (Féra, Ombre, etc.), local tree species (Frêne/White Ash), mountain plants, and alpine summits. Each has its own personality. The design language throughout is consistent: exposed beams, natural stone, warm earthy tones from brick to arboreal brown, white to stone grey, with wood as the defining material. Bright, spacious, and thoughtfully decorated with original artworks and objects showcasing local artisanship.
Triple Room with Lake View and Fireplace
Larger family-style room with lake and city views, a fireplace, air conditioning, and spa bath. At 60 m², one of the larger configurations available. Includes sitting area, balcony/terrace, and the full standard amenity set.
60 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Battery-assisted bikes available for hire, useful for exploring the lake circuit and surrounding area.
Lake Annecy and its promenade are a short drive (or e-bike ride) away. The hotel can advise on water sports, paddle, and swimming spots on Europe's cleanest natural lake.
The 1,500 m² kitchen garden is the heart of the restaurant's philosophy. More than 200 herbs, spices, fruits, flowers, and plants grow in a working permaculture system. Guests staying at the hotel can explore the garden, which is also the literal source of much of what appears on the plate.
Thomas Lorival and his sommelier team curate a 2,400+ bottle cellar across two cellars, with deep focus on Savoie and Alpine producers. The 'food and jus' pairing is an alternative for non-wine drinkers, using fermented vegetable extractions and infusions.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
One room adapted for wheelchair access. Lift available (80×130 cm). Staff sensitized to guests with disabilities.
Breakfast is crafted like a tasting menu, using ingredients from local producers and growers. Served at the table in the restaurant or garden.
Electric vehicle charging available on site.
Working permaculture kitchen garden with 200+ species of herbs, spices, fruits and plants. On-site beehives, rainwater collection, food dehydrator/compost system.
BUILD YOUR LE CLOS DES SENS PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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