La Colombe d'Or Hotel and Restaurant

There is no place like it. It has managed to stay timeless. The grounds are beautiful, blessed with mature lemon and olive trees. The menu is unchanged in 100 years but includes French classics in ample portions. Completely charming. Mostly inhabited by a group of Brits who seem to come year after year and know each other. Art collection is unbelievable. We had a little snafu the first night because of the unique seating protocol. If you find yourself waiting and waiting to be seated despite reservations just check with the maitre d.

If you want to be mistreated By the woman at the reception, then this is the place to go. I kindly asked to charge my phone the woman at reception (blonde, curly hair) immediately said yes… then followed it up with, “But turn it off, I don’t want it ringing the whole time,” in the most unnecessarily arrogant tone. I was honestly taken aback. Is that how you speak to clients? Still, I let it slide. But when I went back to collect my phone after lunch, it wasn’t even charged. I asked if I could leave it a bit longer and she replied, “This isn’t a supermarket, find another outlet.” After leaving a big tip and having spent hundreds at lunch .At that point I was stunned. I took my phone and walked away, in absolute disbelief. I told my sister what had happened and we asked to speak to the manager to which one guy , with a smug smile, told us, “Sorry, they’ve all left.” It’s a beautiful location, yes but the treatment we received was nothing short of rude and dismissive. There’s a fine line between exclusivity and entitlement, and unfortunately, this place seems to confuse the two. Hospitality should feel warm, not humiliating. And they say hospitality was born in France. I get the whole attitude I’m not rude, I’m French but honestly, it’s getting downright boring.

We dined at the restaurant. The food was good. The asparagus were very good. The beef and chicken were pretty good as well - their sauce is rich but good. The service was okay but they asked for a tip at the end which was off putting and low brow. I didn’t realize it until another foreign couple arrived and asked to be moved, but we were sat in the corner with only foreigners and away from the main action of the restaurant and away from all the art. Spending that much money, along with the feeling of being stuck in a corner and not in the main area when we were there early is odd and a bit outdated / surprising.

La Colombe d’Or is undeniably a beautiful and historic hotel. Very special, where art, and history intertwine seamlessly. The walls are adorned with stunning pieces, and the ambiance throughout the property is unlike anywhere else. We dined at the restaurant three times during our stay. The food is very good—classic and reflective of the region. The service at the restaurant was most of the time average. The exception, worth noting, was M. Oliver, who gave us an amazing service during dinner. Our room was spacious with a nice view of the town and decorated with nice pieces following the character of the hotel. However the bed and pillows were not of quality and not comfortable. Unfortunately, the most disappointing part of our stay was the reception staff. Remarkably unwelcoming, rude, and entirely unhelpful and unprofessional—it felt as though guests were more of an inconvenience than anything else. This applies to both people at the reception desk, Natalie as well as a gentleman, whose name I forgot. For a hotel of this caliber, that kind of attitude is not only surprising but truly unacceptable. They managed to ruin the experience. Overall, La Colombe d’Or is worth visiting briefly, maybe just for a meal for the setting and the art alone, but be prepared for service that may not live up to the magic of the surroundings.

I tried to walk in for food or drinks and the staff was very rude. Door guy looked me up and down and then consulted his coworker - who told me I can’t come in. They said it’s for people staying there and after asking questions I learned guest of the restaurant are allowed too. I was by myself and I think they judged me and discriminated too - I saw open table and offered to sit at the bar - which they said they had. Very disappointed and to come all this way to be treated so rude!! No kindness or honesty.

Beautiful hotel, great art and wonderful history. Staff is a bit stuck-up which is understandable given its past. Suggest visitors consider the St. Paul Relais and Chateau option. Staff is more inviting. La Colombe is resting on its laurels; whereas, St. Paul is working to earn your business.

An unforgettable experience in a truly gorgeous setting. The garden is beautifully appointed — every detail feels thoughtful and timeless. Service was impeccable from start to finish, striking the perfect balance between attentive and relaxed. The food was fresh, locally grown, and expertly prepared. The fish was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and the asparagus was simple yet perfect. We enjoyed a lovely rosé that paired beautifully with the meal. We also loved starting our visit with a drink at the bar — a charming way to ease into lunch. Definitely worth a stop while you’re in Saint-Paul-de-Vence — for the food, the atmosphere, and the history.

Had a late lunch here after 2hrs wandering around the shops and art galleries of Saint Paul de Vence. Wow! Fantastic food, lovely ambience (outside, dappled sun, fig trees), excellent service. And yes, that is an original Picasso and a photo of him.

The food was pretty much an afterthought (and €€€ 1/2) - the asparagus was nice and fat and well cooked, but everything else was pretty forgettable. The scene was out of this world - rich Riviera folks on the outdoor patio. And the interior is filled with museum quality Picasso's and Calder's and such.

To begin, this is a charming place to eat outside. If the setting could stand up and take a bow, I would applaud vigorously. It has the added advantage of being right at the entrance to the town. To continue. The service is abrupt and not particularly attentive, but professional without grace. The food was very mixed. I had a delicious beef, carefully prepared and sauced, but one of my dining partners had a lamb which was tough and tasteless. The real issue that lowered my review score to just "OK" was the cigar smoke from the next table. it is bad enough to have to endure the lessening addiction of the French to stinking up their environment with cigarette smoke, but cigar smoke is beyond the pale. Nothing is as annoying as having a bite of perfectly prepared beef ruined by a cloud of stink from another table. A word to the restaurant management; If you can't see fit to ban smoking from the restaurant, then at least keep it to cigarettes. I would think any self-respecting chef would want his work to be appreciated without the smell of ash over-riding his creations.

My husband and I were in St Paul de Provence for our 10th anniversary in May 1989. A friend, Robert Hosman, had recommended that if we ever were in the region to book at La Colombe d'Or for a romantic and memorable stay. Amazingly we arrived and told our story of us having no where to be on this anniversary. And there being a cancellation, we were invited to celebrate with a gorgeous room and dinner and breakfast. We had a fantastic stay that marked the anniversary as a ten year highlight. Now we are back in the region to begin our celebration of our 46th anniversary. We have much to celebrate- our family, our careers, our return to travel post Covid. It's a joyful time for us. Tomorrow we return to St Paul de Vence after 30 years. We will hopefully peek into the gates of La Colombe d'Or that remains a memorable place for us - and share a kiss ! With love - Alan Fein & Susan Westfall.

The most beautiful and breath taking ambience, wonderful hospitality and a one of a kind experience amidst the charm of art , history and St. Paul de Vence.

There are some who give this spot 5 stars. Others claim it is over priced and overrated. I am part of the former group for the following reasons Service. The service is old school. Very Thorough. You will need to translate the hand written menu so do so beforehand. The food is very well prepared. We had most of the plates on the table. i think the fish dishes stood out the most. i had the Sole which was filleted at the table. The starters were all great. Sorry, no cheeseburgers on menu The location is historic. We sat outside due to covid. make sure you walk inside and look at the one off sketches by Monet, Calder, Picasso and others

Yes the rich history makes the place attractive but as a vegetarian the options were crap. They offered to make pasta, but all they had on menu was boiled veggies. They weren't good. Service was impeccable, house wine was bleh, but veggies were so boring and came me garlic mayo. Would have preferred to only come for drinks as the real attraction were the original masterpieces on the wall.

This is such a unique place. Don't overthink the food--haute cuisine it is not--but they do the classics extremely well, and I love the old school serveurs boning fish and flambeeing tableside. As with most restos in France, ask them in French what to order and let them tell you. Don't forget to take a stroll through the dining room; the collection would rival a lot of museums. If you can't get a reservation, call or walk in at 10 AM the day you want to go. They hold tables for guests at the hotel and release them at that time each day.

Staff were friendly and were able to accommodate a toddler, although it may have just been our bad luck but we were sat next to extremely snobby American tourists who did not appreciate any loud noises from our child ( honestly it was four or five yays, maybe a little loud, but nothing terrible). They made it clear it was a problem and I made it clear I was not happy with them. We ordered steak, medium but it came well done. Food was ok but nothing special. Service was great. Couldn't really enjoy the ambience with snobs being snobby.

Upon the recommendation of a British friend in Nashville, we decided to add supper at La Colombe D'Or to our time in Nice. While this restaurant is world famous, we were not sure how much the art might outweigh the culinary experience. Well, the scales were balanced. The wait staff and service were excellent. We enjoyed the crisp, hospitable service that was neither snobby nor fawning. The fricassee chicken and the rack of lamb were superb, as were the sides. We are not drinkers, so there will be no attestation to the wine list etc. our Uber rides to and from made for door to door simplicity that enhanced the evening. Taxis seem to be significantly more expensive than uber rides in Nice this summer. We recommend lunch or supper at la Colombe D'Or and be sure to alot time to explore the sizable art collection and St Paul as well. It is charming.

We all had a fabulous time. An upscaled yet casual setting with great service and food. Considering what this is from a historical perspective, where it is located and it's setting, I'm amazed at the reasonableness of the prices.

View from terrace is amazing and staff are nice. Unfortunately I can not recommend this place for eating. Just didn't enjoy the food. And even I said I'm vegan they served ceviche sos... Hint: Be prepare when you order the "raw vegetables" (27 euro) you actually get the basket of raw vegetables and boiled eggs. There is also no English menu so quite difficult for non French speaking guest. Staff is trying to translate menu verbally... what was a bit akward.

Sorry to say that our experience at La Colombe d'Or restaurant was less than stellar. The food was mediocre at best, and the service was subpar. (Servers and management were assholes, frankly.) Nicest person we encountered was a bartender. The ambiance is beautiful and the art is one-of-a-kind, but go to see it, don't bother having dinner. You're better off at one of the other cafes in the town. The restaurant is living in a past era with regards to reputation-- it's a cool spot, but set your expectations low.

Incredible ambiance and service. You immediately feel at home - if your home is a french estate with an impeccable garden. Food was a B+ but an overall great time!!

Upon entering the gorgeously stone-clad walls of La Colombe d'Or, you're instantly enveloped by an immediate air of sophistication and utmost class.  Despite the sweltering summer heat, servers are fully suited with collared shirts, pressed slacks, a vest and tie to answer your every gastronomic whim.   The restaurant generously seats over 200 people split between the main dining hall, private dining room, and the incredible garden terrace overlooking the entire lush topography of the region.  However, snagging a coveted seat during summertime is still near impossible if you don't plan ahead. Which we didn't of course, since we hadn't planned which day we were visiting St. Paul de Vence in advance.  But as luck would have it, we waltzed in undeterred by the strict appointment system and were seated right at the start of their lunch service.  Aside from the amazing, expertly prepared dishes you see above, magical would be the only word to describe our experience of La Colombe d'Or.  You instantly feel the historical significance of such a well-preserved site, with Matisse, Miro, and Chagall having once dined right in the same spot as you're seated. Just amazing guys... my pictures really don't do it justice!  I'm never one to feel embarrassed by snapping away like a pushy American tourist but something about this serene setting instantly halted my need to capture every.single.detail and just relax... and enjoy. Bon Appétit mes amis!

Love love this place. The best ambiance. I could spend all day here. We had drinks in the bar lounge area then lunch in the patio. Everything tasted special.

What a special place. This intimate hotel and restaurant is home to some of the most incredible Picassos! The patio is the place to see and be seen for lunch. Enjoy the rose that is made exclusively for them, the grilled fish, truffle salad and the ice cream cake with meringue. Don't leave without admiring the art. Gorgeous hotel rooms, stunning pool area. A very chic property with the most hospitable staff!

The hotel rooms are spectacular! Lots of charm and detail. We stayed in two different rooms and both were amazing. One was smaller but had a beautiful pool view (room 11). The other was larger and much nicer but didn't have the nice greenery to see first thing in the morning (room 19). The hotel itself is gorgeous and very inspirational. Spend a day at the pool. It's lovely out there. We were guests at the hotel for 4 days so we had ample opportunity to try several dishes. Although the menu stays the same, we preferred lunch over dinner simply for the stunning garden seating. The dining room is spectacular as well with all the art, but overall the vibe and energy in the garden is amazing. As for the food, most of the dishes were amazing, and there is a wide variety to choose from. Vegetarian? No problem. Crudités, steamed veggies, fruit, and soup! Prefer fish? They have prawns, cod, sole, salmon, etc... Other dishes include rabbit, beef, and chicken. And the cheese plate is amazing as the variety is large and all were delish. Also, their breakfast has a nice selection. Overall my favorite dishes were the sole and chicken (both served table side). The prawns were also tasty but messy. For dessert, the apple tart and raspberry with vanilla were my favorite. Least favorite: the rabbit was a little too gamey, and the cod was too bland.

Amazing. Fight to get a reservation, it's soooo worth it. Gorgeous. Feels like a French country home. Food and service are top notch.

La Colombe d'Or is the perfect setting for a special occasion. Tables are dotted around a large courtyard, in the dappled French sun, hidden from the hustle and bustle of the small tourist town, creating a sort of haven in which you can enjoy some of the most delicious food I've tried to date. The service is impeccable - the staff are polite, helpful and also very funny which, with English as their second language, is impressive and charming. The food - oh the food! I opted for the beef main here, which came with the creamiest, tastiest potato dauphinoise I've ever tasted (sorry mum!). The beef was cooked to absolute perfection and I literally enjoyed every single mouthful. I'm getting a little ahead of myself though! Before the mains we opted for lots of little starter dishes to share around the table. We got many of these, but to give you idea of some of them, there were mushrooms, couscous dishes, rice dishes, black sausage and much much more. Each arrived in a simply white dish and none of them looked particularly mind-blowing but the tastes were spot on and everything was demolished and thoroughly enjoyed. They also serve a DIY salad basket here, full to the brim with raw veggies like radishes, onions etc so you can make your own salad or just have a health munch! It's a lovely idea - very quirky and original - and fits the style of the place nicely. The deserts, the wine, the bread - all of it is to die for! This is the perfect 'treat yourself' restaurant, in the perfect setting!

Revisited after many years. The hotel is still very special, but oh my god the restaurant is a disaster. Undercooked sole meunière, medium steak that arrived rare and tough. Our guest had rouget that he loved. The vegetables were over cooked. We love the hotel which is a life long memory. PS the bread and butter before the meal was terrific. And the wine list is pleasantly eclectic.

Simply amazing with better art than most museums. Staff was very professional and food was special. If you are in the South of France the 30 minute drive from Monaco is worth it!

One of the best art collections in the south of France. Take the time to walk through the restaurant. Not a bad seat in the house but ask for the room with the Picaso. We eat here twice. Once on the patio and once in the formal dining room (with Picaso). Worth it. Added bonus was exploring the medieval village (art galleries check in with Eric and Val and Luke) bought some art. Great way to spend a day with a great lunch or dinner.

Better than 5 stars! Between the food, service and atmosphere, it doesn't get better than this. The atmosphere alone is impressive, to done alongside works from Picasso and Matisse to name a few, have impeccable service with fantastic food that was simple yet delicious, it's very hard to beat. All things considered, price was expensive but not crazy. Reccomend trying this if you pass by the town of St. Paul de vence!

Romantic and historical this is the place that can't be beat in Nice, France! It's expensive but if you're on a budget try this: order the Hors D'oeuvres appetizer (one is plenty for 2 -3 people) then simply order the legumes (vegetables) and the house white wine. Take your time, the table is yours all night. And be sure to take breaks during the meal to walk around inside and by their pool and soak in the impressive art collection. Ask the maitre d or waiter to see their book which has pictures of various famous people who have eaten there over the years, it's quite exciting!

An enchanting experience to dine at La Colombe d'Or among art by the modern masters Matisse, Picasso, and Braque. Order the Hors D'oeveres appetizer, a collection of 13 small dishes with traditional provincial fare like roasted peppers and onions, herring, and stuffed zucchini. It includes a vegetable basket filled with hardboiled eggs, whole tomatoes, cucumbers and radishes. I also ordered the poissons rouges (tiny red fish) served grilled that were simply delicious. Service is very formal and slightly intimidating, but the waiters were very kind. Order the house white wine and don't be afraid to ask a waiter to take your photo. You won't want to forget this!

The setting is fabulous, and where else can you have a meal surrounded by art from Matisse, Braque, et al, but frankly, i thought the food was meh. It is not the best meal that one can have in the south of France by any stretch of the imagination. Plus they OVER COOKED my steak. I ordered it rare, and they served it well done by any scorecard -- an inexcusable offense. Plus they don't offer a proper wine list for lunch. You simply order what you want by guessing... i had a local rose and Macon burg -- both were great, but i had no say in the vintange or vintner. odd, no? Go for the art and the scene, but keep your foodie expectations set on moderate.

Sometimes the location outshines the food ... and sometimes that's ok. Here's that sometimes. It's a pleasure just to get inside this gem of a restaurant. Not only with the al fresco view momentarily steal your appetite ... the staff, the beautiful people with great style and massive glasses, the weather, the stylized menus and the canopy made of an assortment of umbrellas and pretty branches with handmade lanterns just make you feel special. Very special. The hotel is smothered with art from past dwellers who didn't have enough money to afford their stay so instead trading art for room and board. Such past dwellers as Matisse and Picasso!!!! Gosh. The wine is spectacular but you're in France. Of course it is. Enjoy this moment!! The assorted appetizers is not only a beautiful mosaic of colors, textures, and the chefs amusements but is a tasteful collection of savory teasers for your main event, which by all means should be the sole! You're welcome. Oh, order more wine and more wine. Enjoy your company and this view. Repeat. //foodpaparazzi

The restaurant has great ambiance but the food was not good. We had the filet mignon and neither one of us could eat it. Upon running into another guest and relaying our thoughts, she said the same with her meal...do not recommend eating there.

It was one of the most amazing dining experiences of my life.The ambiance was definitely 1st class - beautiful French setting, and Picasso paintings ! Food highlights - dover sole and fresh strawberries w. cream. All felt like a dream!

It was difficult for me to come up with a rating for this restaurant. I picked 4 stars as an average: Artwork, location, and scenery: 5 STARS. Food and restaurant service: 3 STARS. The location, with outdoor mountain scenery, is just incredible - we ate lunch on an outdoor terrace with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The gardens around the restaurant are also lovely. After lunch, we spent 30-40 minutes just walking around the hotel and its grounds to see the private art collection, including many impressionist/modernist works. (And you need to be a guest at the hotel or restaurant to be invited in to see the art.) To see the artwork in a "real" house (or hotel) instead of a museum, was a real delight. By the way - reservations are highly recommended, if not required. We visited in off-season and the place was packed for lunch. If you're eating outdoors (and I think that's the only option for lunch), request a table at the back of the terrace, directly facing the mountains, so you can have an uninterrupted view. As to lunch itself - we weren't so impressed. The service was friendly enough, but for the price we expected better. The waiters really had no understanding of "vegetarian" and "no shellfish." Even after explaining this, we were given a crudite platter including sausage and escargots. The vegetable basket looks beautiful as a work of art, but tastes like bland vegetables. The soup was good, but the fish was bland. The waiters were friendly and more than happy to take our photograph in whatever pose we asked for, but go here for the art and scenery, not the food.

One of my all time favorites... the food, service, art and ambience are beyond compare

Remember the Stella Artois advert, when the bar owner has all the works of art up on the wall, taken in payment for the "reassuringly expensive" beer? Well that's loosely based on La Colombe d'Or. One of the most outstanding & famous hotel/restuarants in the world, the venue has been popular with many artists since it opened over a 100 years ago. Pieces by Picasso, Matisse, Leger adorn the walls of the restaurant. This is one the most beautiful places in the world to eat, with the dining room extending out into a leafy courtyard populated with scupltures and further pieces of art, The food is classic french fare and the menu (even its design) hasn't changed in at least 50 years. I recommend the crudites to start - you get a basket of market vegetables to choose from & could fill up on that alone. Main course includes rabbit, kidneys, chicken dishes. Dessert can be crepes flambeed at your table. I've eaten here many times and it never fails to delight. Popular with celebrities, you're always guaranteed to spot a star. I've also stayed at the hotel - the rooms are basic, with an element of faded grandeur. But charming nonetheless. The surprising thing about all of this is it won't break the bank. If this was in England you'd pay at leat 3 times as much and of course you wouldn't get those lovely golden summer evenings. As for St Paul, its one of those picturesque hilltop, walled villages that typify the hills of Southern France. It hosts a large artist community - so its full of arts & crafts shops, a lot on the pricey side. But worth an afternoon wandering or lazing with a drink watching the boule players in the village square.

My number one in the world! I LOVE this place. It doesn't get any better than this. The trip up there is a "trip" (in all senses of the word). Food is simple but perfect Provence Cuisine. But the ambience is unbeatable! Highlights are the Paté starter, and the Soufflé dessert. Also, you can sit on exactly the same chair, in the exact same bar that Picasso sat. There is a photo behind the manager's booth that proves it. Where else in the world can you do that?

Rude staff. Wouldn't serve breakfast to American tourists. Said only for guests of hotel. Typical French snobbiness.

Visiting Saint-Paul de Vence there are two must things to do, strolling around the narrow streets in this ancient town, maybe acquiring a piece of art in one of the galleries, AND having lunch at La Colombe d'Or, preferably sitting outside on the patio/garden. However, don't forget to visit the indoor space and have a glance at the exquisite modern art collection of French masters, Picasso, Braque, Leger & Co. Back to the food, superb! And very good service! Always nice to return!

Went there to see the art, which was extraordinary. But the food was really good. My wife and I ordered Dover Sole grilled with mustard sauce, specifying that it be cooked under-done. When the orders came out, the maitre d sent them back immediately saying "pas rose". His attention to detail was impressive. Soon the re-done orders came out, and they were perfect. Wonderful gracious service,excellent food, great art.

Wow again. Second time and the atmosphere, food, and service is just outstanding. This place is so special with the Picasso, Metisse, Miro, Calder, and more artwork. We went for dinner and had the h'ors d'oeuvres (they bring a ton some come hungry). My vegetarian wife asked for suggestions for her and they brought her homemade pasta which melted in your mouth. I had the piece of beef which is cooked perfect with potatoes and broccoli. The chocolate cake was fantastic. Highly recommended for a special evening.

This is a place to avoid if you want a comfortable hotel room, good/interesting food, reasonable prices, and staff who care about customer service. Having booked a half board package with a promise of a meal with no meat/poultry we were presented with only the al la carte menu with no explanation that once anything is ordered from it the half board package no longer applies (even though ordering off of the regular menu was the only way to get a meal we could eat). The result? An underwhelming meal at ridiculous prices resulting in a shocking bill at check out. We believe La Colombe d'Or has a responsibility to offer what it promises and to make sure guests understand how the half board package works. They failed on both. The large bill would have been easier to accept had we had a comfortable room with a bed of normal length (not the extremely short one in our room) and a shower that an average height person can stand up in. The large bill also would have been easier to accept had the food been of better quality and quantity (one fish with sauce accompanied by one boiled potato and some sea asparagus garnish for over 40 Euros is unacceptable). Attempts to have La Colombe d'Or take some responsibility and remedy what happened all failed (both via discussions at check out and follow up emails). They demonstrated they simply do not care about the kind of experience their guests have. Our recommendation: Avoid this place altogether!

We enjoyed a late lunch here on the patio, still astonished by the paintings in the hallways. The food was great. The experience makes this one of the two or three best restaurants on the planet.

Have been coming here for years and it only gets better. The town is beautiful and the restaurant is truly a hidden gem. Hope to go again soon