After nearly two decades as a private events venue, the historic COMO Le Beauvallon has reopened as a hotel, marking another step in the Riviera’s renewal.
A century of glamour, now restored
The original hotel, designed by Swiss architect Julien Flengenheimer, opened in 1914 as a 100-room Belle Époque palace. Over the years, it housed soldiers during both world wars and later became a retreat for artists. By the 1960s, it attracted Hollywood stars, politicians, and royalty. Its hillside location, just an eight-minute boat ride from Saint-Tropez’s port, provides sweeping views of the Gulf.
The property now offers 42 rooms, including suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and glass bathtubs positioned to preserve the sea views. The COMO suite, occupying the top floor, features an eclectic mix of furnishings and framed vistas of Saint-Tropez.
Art, design, and a chef’s Riviera debut
The hotel’s art and design collection blends Riviera heritage with Asian influences, curated to feel like a personal story rather than a formal display. Guests can explore the pieces using the COMO Le Beauvallon app, which highlights works such as the ‘Up5’ chair by BB Italia and the 2002 Serpentine Pavilion by Toyo Ito and Cecil Balmond—a geometric structure of opaque and transparent triangles.
The pavilion sits in a quiet pine grove, offering a peaceful contrast to the estate’s newest addition: Beauvallon Sur Mer, a waterfront restaurant by chef Yannick Alléno. The restaurant, housed under a large rotunda, provides open-air dining with horizon views and a menu combining Southeast Asian flavors with Mediterranean seafood. It marks Alléno’s first venture into beachside dining, with a setting that includes marquetry tables and nautical details, making it ideal for summer lunches and sunset meals.
Related: Sydney home built on a child’s storybook dream
The restaurant, beach club, and pool occupy a private stretch of sand overlooking the Gulf. The renovation, led by interior designer Dorothée Delaye, updates the Belle Époque style with modern elements. Delaye drew from 1950s Riviera elegance and the sleek lines of ocean liners, working with French fabric houses like Lelièvre, Pierre Frey, and Maison Thevenon to develop a bold, graphic palette. Geometric patterns and azure-blue jacquard weaves meet the classic Riviera stripe, all set beneath yellow scalloped parasols.
Saint-Tropez, once known for mid-century glamour, is reclaiming its appeal. COMO Le Beauvallon offers a quieter, more understated option compared to the town’s lively nightlife. The hotel’s reopening reflects a broader trend in the region—one that values heritage and subtlety over spectacle. This approach redefines luxury on the Côte d’Azur today.
Suites begin at €1,600 per night in low season (about £1,365), with reservations available through the hotel’s website.
The transformation aligns with other creative renovations in the area, such as a home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches that was updated in just four months.
