The peaks stand out against an azure sky and the silence is only disturbed by the murmur of the wind in the mountain pastures. Welcome to Pépé Nicolas, a refuge out of time, where you come to marvel, to indulge and to immerse yourself in a world apart. Here, the mountain can be experienced, felt and savoured.
An exceptional setting combining tradition and modernity
Perché à 2000 mètres d’altitude entre Les Menuires et Val Thorens, Chez Pépé Nicolas offre un panorama saisissant sur les massifs alpins. Cet ancien chalet d’alpage, réhabilité en restaurant d’exception ne se contente pas d’honorer le passé ; il s’inscrit également dans un avenir responsable, valorisant la permaculture et les circuits courts pour préserver cet environnement exceptionnel. Le site est accessible en été par des sentiers de randonnée, en vélo tout terrain, en voiture depuis la vallée des Belleville, ou en bus avec une navette gratuite qui s’arrête au grand parking à 5 minutes à pied.
- Breathtaking view: the restaurant terrace offers a unique perspective on the Cime Caron and the Péclet glacier.
- Warm atmosphere: the combination of old wood and rough stone immerses visitors in a typically Savoyard setting.
- Sustainable commitment: at Pépé Nicolas, they value the local economy and responsible agriculture, in harmony with the mountain environment.
An unforgettable culinary experience in the mountains
When tradition meets daring, flavours take on a new dimension.
Chez Pépé Nicolas is renowned for its bistronomic cuisine, where every ingredient tells a story. The chef showcases local produce from the permaculture garden, the farm and local producers. Mountains are invited to every plate.
Here, you can sit on the terrace with a glass of chilled white wine in your hand. You let the sun gild your shoulders and the tops of your hair while the air is scented with sage and lavender, transforming a simple meal into a moment suspended in time.
- Authentic flavours: raclette matured on the premises, a new take on tartiflette and lamb confit with alpine herbs.
- Products from a (very) short circuit: homemade cheeses, aromatic herbs from the garden and local meat.
- A varied menu: traditional Savoyard dishes with a twist and vegetarian options inspired by permaculture.
Find more about the restaurant
Immersion in an authentic alpine farm
Children and adults alike can explore a working farm where the animals roam freely and are lovingly cared for.
Up there, the animals live to the rhythm of the mountain, offering a touching and captivating spectacle for young and old alike. The mischievous goats come to meet the visitors, the cows ruminate peacefully facing the horizon and the pigs bask carefree in their enclosure. Taking part in milking the goats and bottle-feeding the kids is a chance to immerse yourself in the daily life of the alpagistes, a rare opportunity to experience a centuries-old tradition and feel the authenticity of these age-old practices.
Taking the time to observe, listen and breathe in this mountain life allows you to reconnect with a simple and essential way of life.
- Milking goats: every afternoon, watch a demonstration of manual milking.
- Feeding calves and baby goats: a moment for families to share.
- Guided tours: discover the life cycle of animals and methods of breeding at altitude.
A sensory stroll through the permaculture high-altitude garden
Unique in Europe, the garden of Chez Pépé Nicolas unfolds like a living painting, where each plant plays its part in a symphony of colours and scents. Here, permaculture techniques adapted to the altitude shape a harmonious ecosystem, where nature dictates its own rhythm.
Wild lavender, purple sage, fragrant geraniums: every step reveals a new intoxicating scent. Following the winding paths of this unique garden, touching the rich soil and learning to recognise edible plants transports the visitor to a world where agriculture becomes art. This haven of biodiversity invites reflection on the balance between man and nature, and offers a soothing and inspiring sensory experience.
- Aromatic spirals and cultivation mounds: discover a natural farming model that promotes biodiversity.
- Workshops and visits: learn the principles of permaculture and leave with tips for your own vegetable garden.
- Nature trail: enjoy a walk among medicinal plants and edible flowers.
Learn more about the permaculture garden
Cheese tasting and production secrets
In the cool depths of the cheese dairy, the cheese wheels rest in silence, slowly absorbing the flavours of the mountains. Tomme des Belleville, goat’s cheese raclette, creamy serac, each variety bears the imprint of the Alpine terroir. A visit to the cheese dairy reveals the secrets of how these cheesy treasures are made: from the freshly milked milk to the maturing in the cellar, each stage is a tribute to ancestral know-how. Finally, in our Val Thorens cheese dairy, the long-awaited moment arrives: the tasting. The flavours balance each other out, between the sweetness of the milk and the strength of the ripening, to offer an unforgettable taste experience. Leaving with a piece of cheese is like taking a piece of this living mountain with you.
- Belleville cheese and traditional tomme cheeses: matured on site in the cheese cellar.
- Organised tasting sessions: a gourmet journey to explore the flavours of the region.
- Directsales: take home cheeses made on the spot, without intermediaries.
Get more information on the cheese dairy.
Evenings and events under the stars
When the sun disappears behind the crests, another magic takes place. The crackling of logs accompanies mountain tales around the campfire, while the sky is scattered with stars. In the cool of the night, a torchlight walk reveals an unknown side of the mountain pastures: the darkness is dense, almost mystical, and every sound becomes a note in the mountain’s nocturnal symphony. Then, suddenly, the sky lights up: fireworks explode above the peaks, painting the horizon in dazzling colours. These timeless evenings in Val Thorens, where you can enjoy the silence, nature and conviviality, bring an already eventful day to a close.
- Campfire evenings: mountain stories and a friendly atmosphere around the embers.
- Night-time torchlight tours: an immersive experience under the Alpine sky.
- Fireworks display: weekly fireworks illuminating the mountain pasture.
Find out more about the evenings and guided tours
At Pépé Nicolas, every moment is savoured, every experience is an escape. Summer in Val Thorens takes on a poetic dimension here, between gastronomy, traditions and wild nature. A timeless interlude to be discovered without delay.
