Originally from Courchevel, a renowned restaurateur and former firefighter, Thierry Mugnier was appointed president of Courchevel Tourism following the municipal elections. At the head of the office and the security commission, he embodies a local trajectory, between rootedness and high-end experience.
In Le Praz, his name has been circulating for a long time. In this village that has seen several of the resort's personalities grow up, Thierry Mugnier belongs to that generation shaped by the mountains, even before Courchevel's international boom. Grandson of farmers, son of a ski instructor, he knows the area in its details, its seasons, its balances.
His career, however, quickly led him elsewhere. Cannes, Biarritz, Paris. In the kitchens of Vivarois, a triple Michelin-starred restaurant, then in grand establishments such as Martinez or the Byblos, he learns the requirements of high-end service, precision of movement, and direct reporting to an international clientele.
From haute cuisine to station life
Yet it was in Courchevel that he chose to anchor himself long-term. For over thirty years, he ran the restaurant with his wife. Genepi, in 1850. An established venue in the local landscape, frequented by a loyal, discerning clientele, often accustomed to the place.
This passage by restoration is not insignificant. It gives a concrete reading of tourism. Customer flows, expectations, evolution of habits. A way to observe the resort on a daily basis, far from institutional discourse.
In parallel, he is involved in several promotional activities run by Courchevel Tourism. This is a progressive involvement, bringing him closer to the destination's challenges.
A responsibility marked by safety
His appointment is not limited to tourism promotion. Thierry Mugnier is also taking up the chairmanship of the security commission, a position that echoes a longer-standing commitment.
Before his career in hospitality, he was a member of the Paris Fire Brigade. Returning to Savoie, he joined the volunteer fire service in Courchevel for fifteen years. This hands-on experience, with its practical interventions, now informs his approach to local responsibilities.
In a resort that welcomes thousands of visitors each season, the question of safety remains central. It goes beyond mere risk management to encompass the overall organisation of hospitality.
A line centred on the collective
Thierry Mugnier succeeds Claude Pinturault, who had undertaken the structuring of EPIC Courchevel Tourisme. In continuity, the new president emphasises the notion of a collective.
He notably relies on a partnership with CEO Alexia Lainé, who is also from Le Praz. A closeness that facilitates discussions and decision-making.
Fundamentally, the priority is clear. To rebuild connections with the resort's economic stakeholders: restaurateurs, hoteliers, and shopkeepers. The objective remains to maintain a consistent standard across all the villages, from Saint-Bon to 1850.