In a resort where seasonality is the rhythm of economic life, one establishment has been defying the rules of the game for a quarter of a century. L'Escale Blanchemanaged by Martial Debut, remains open twelve months a year, supported by a loyal team and a strong attachment to the mountains and the local culture. Tignes.
Long before it was a restaurant, L'Escale Blanche was a mountain hut set up on the outskirts of the village before the dam was impounded.
- READ OUR DOSSIER - "Tignes, the sports resort par excellence".
"Remains of the refuge can still be found in the building, including an original wall that has been preserved inside. says Martial Debut. He took over the business twenty-five years ago, in 2000, and made a firm decision never to close, even during the off-season.
In a resort where most restaurants take a break after the snow melts or the lifts close, L'Escale Blanche has remained faithful to a model "365 days ."
"This means we can keep a team going all year round". explains the manager, who employs fourteen people. "By staying open, we can build staff loyalty and keep local people and businesses busy when there are fewer tourists.
An in-house and local 100 % card
Savoyard specialities, fondues, pierrades and homemade desserts are the mainstays of a menu created entirely in-house. "We only work with fresh, local produce, especially the cheese". insists the boss.
In winter, 80 % of the clientele is foreign, mainly English, while the summer and shoulder seasons attract more French and local visitors. "We achieve the same figures but with a different average basket: around 45 euros in the evening".
Over a quarter of a century, Martial Debut has seen Tignes evolve. "Summer has become much more dynamic. The resort is attracting more and more visitors who are discovering the mountains in a different way. It's an open-air playground. Heatwaves in the lowlands, outdoor activities and summer events are now prompting holidaymakers to change their habits.
100 metres from L'Escale BlancheMartial Debut opened two years ago Julietta 23a 100 % Italian restaurant. "We cook pure Italian food, right down to the minute tiramisu, using products that all come from Italy.
As for his personal journey, Martial makes no secret of the fact that he chose the mountains as a new departure. "I come from the Paris suburbs, from complicated neighbourhoods. I wanted a different life. Twenty-five years later, he is still living at an altitude of 2,100 metres, running a restaurant that has become a veritable institution for many.
Find out more :
- Price: 45 euros per head
- Open: every day from 8am to 11pm
- Address: Lac de Tignes, 73320 Tignes
- Contact: 04 79 07 32 41
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