After a five-year absence, the Pourcel brothers are making a grand return to the French gastronomic scene. Welcome to Richer de Belleval, a former private mansion reinvented as a very special hotel, where one can once again delight in the sunny cuisine of the star-studded twins in the heart of Montpellier.
They had been waiting five years for this. It is on Place Canourgue, the epicenter of ancient Montpellier, that brothers Jacques and Laurent Pourcel are making their return. They had been nurturing this project for 11 years. Ever since they bought this noble building in 2010, its character shaped by several centuries of history. Built at the end of the 17th centuryth century and then passed into the hands of the Richer de Belleval family, the building housed the Montpellier town hall for nearly a century, before being transformed into an annex of the Palace of Justice.
So, in 2017, Le Richer began a new chapter in its history, under the leadership of the Helenis group, the Pourcel brothers, and Olivier Château, an early associate of the twins. Naturally, several years of work were required to restore the jewel box to its former glory and make it the the most beautiful hotel in Montpellier, but especially to re-emphasize its ornamental treasures. This task was entrusted to the architecture firm Philippe Prost, in charge of the rehabilitation of the premises, and to the Atelier de Ricou, which undertook the restoration of the frescoes and gilding, the historical busts, the paintings, and the stucco work that adorn the building.
In June 2021, the Richer de Belleval revealed a new face to the public; not a transformed one, but one engaged in a skillfully orchestrated dialogue between past and present. Throughout the hotel, contemporary art revives time where it had stood still. This is evident from the entrance porch with its ceramic ceiling adorned with hearts, signed by artist James Dine, and supported by imposing Neoclassical ashlar columns. In the inner hall, herons and other birds sculpted by Marlène Mocquet perch on the cornices overlooking the grand staircase, while the cupola of a former ballroom (where Marianne's bust still stands) features five panels created by artist Jan Fabre, composed of thousands of beetle wing casings.
Still, the Richer does not dream of being a museum. We are very much in a hotel – and Relais & Châteaux 5-star please – and all that it implies in terms of comfort, experiences, and hospitality. Entrusted to Christian Collot, the decor continues the conversation between eras in a decor that is elegant, contemporary, and cozy. Spread over two levels, the 20 rooms come in monochrome shades, alternating between vibrant and muted. Modern furniture and vintage elements, Garnier Thiébaut linens, Moooi or Christian Lacroix rugs, antique frescoes, and objects found in local boutiques, such as the oversized flowers crafted by Atelier Shamarée, are to be found here. The result is highly accomplished, and once you get past the theatrical impression the place gives off, you quickly feel at home at Le Richer (but better, of course).
But let's talk about cuisine now, as that is also one of Richer's main selling points. Under the Renaissance vaults of three dining rooms, Jardin des Sens is reborn, and with it the festive, sunny, and joyful gastronomy of the Pourcel brothers. Offered in 10 or 15 courses, the two menus begin a divine «conversation with the Mediterranean» and its finest offerings. Already one of the most best restaurants in Montpellier. After a plethora of gourmet snacks, we are successively captivated by a dazzling fan of marinated scallops that makes a spectacular entrance; a chestnut yogurt with heavenly creaminess; a roasted blue lobster with a butternut squash ravioli that melts beautifully in the mouth; or yet another two beautiful medallions of venison noisette with infinite tenderness, in their lingonberry coulis and cocoa pepper sauce. A flawless symphony that highlights the Occitan terroir as well as the region's great vintages, through a wine list that represents great sommelier expertise.
We'll also mention the accessible and relaxed alternative offered in La Canourgue, where you can taste colorful cuisine, blending international flavors with French classics, such as a gnocchi and shrimp casserole and grilled beef flank steak. The desserts, with their perfect balance of freshness, sweetness, and acidity, provide a delightful conclusion to this beautiful culinary journey, once again solidifying the Pourcel brothers' reputation, if it were needed.
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