Bourg Saint Maurice - Les Arcs - Nestling in Arc 1800, not far from the ski lifts, 'Le Dream Spot' has all the makings of a must-visit spot. Not because of its size - around forty covers in the dining room, a sun-drenched terrace - but because of the soul that goes into it. Johnny Carlier and his wife come from the Gers and have been here for four years after a long break on the Atlantic coast.
"We had spent seasons here in the 2000s, and we always missed the mountains. So we came back." And this return to his Alpine roots is no accident. "This is where we fell in love for the first time. The atmosphere, the rhythm, the summer light?
Thanks to an opportunity, they took over 'Chez Clarisse' and transformed it into 'Dream Spot', a name as simple as it is obvious for this authentic, unpretentious establishment on a human scale.
A sublime view and homemade products
From local charcuterie to local cheese, bread from the Bourg-Saint-Maurice baker and ice creams from the Dôme du Glacier, everything - or almost everything - is homemade. "98 % dishes, even desserts: crème brûlée, panna cotta... And for the burgers and Landes salads, we put a bit of home in them".
A clever blend of Savoyard traditions and south-western accents, in a menu that changes 30 % with the seasons but retains its essentials.
At lunchtime, the clientele is mainly local, made up of estate agents, seasonal workers and heroes from the daily life of the resort. In the evening, the tourists take over. "We want to give them a discount at lunchtime, 10 %, because they're the ones who keep the resort going. says Johnny, in the dining room while his wife works in the kitchen. It's a family business, run by both of them with the same artisanal consistency.
And then there's this south-facing terrace, "Probably the best view of Les Arcs".he smiles. Morning sunshine, unobstructed views... this is a very appealing address. Average basket? Between 20 and 50 euros, "depending on your mood and appetite. And, above all, without overdoing the hype.
A passionate business in a resort in transition
But in summer, while the beauty of the site remains intact, visitor numbers are uneven. "There are a lot of people in July and August, but not many before. We open a week before the season, but sometimes we're the only ones on the square to do so. Not everything is in place yet, the shuttles aren't running, some shops are still closed... it's frustrating."
We all agree that the potential is there, and so is the will, but the summer dynamic is slow to take shape. "We need everyone to get on board for this to really take off. At the moment, summer mainly benefits sporting activities, not restaurants or shops.
This has not discouraged Johnny and his wife, who now live year-round between Bourg-Saint-Maurice and their studio in Arc 1800. And despite the ups and downs, they have no regrets: "We swapped the ocean for the peaks, and frankly, we wouldn't turn back.
Find out more :
- Price: Between 20 and 50 euros
- Open: throughout the winter season and in July and August
- Address: Place haute des Villards, Les Arcs 1800, 73700 Bourg-Saint-Maurice
- Contact: 04 79 06 48 34