Twenty years of memories, cooking, gardening, and lasting friendships
On June 21, 2006, Armand began his first shift. The vegetable garden was taking shape with its first vegetable rows. The kitchen was organized around a simple central counter. A large fireplace still stood in the dining room. You could sense the vision, though its full scale was yet to be revealed.
"I celebrated my 20th anniversary at La Chassagnette this year. It all began with Maja Hoffmann’s dream, at a time when it still seemed like a gamble: a garden and a restaurant entirely dedicated to the Camargue. A restaurant nourished by vegetables grown on its own land. A commitment to organic farming before the world had even awakened to it.
That dream earned La Chassagnette its Michelin star in 2009, and it continues to guide our every step. When I took over in 2006, the goal wasn’t to erase that vision, but to let it grow. Less vanity, less fanfare, and a focus on patient, creative work in partnership with gardeners, artists, and the spirit of the region. This is how, with conviction and talent, we have managed to preserve our star while remaining true to our original mission." — Armand Arnal
Twenty years later, the garden covers nearly ten acres, features more than 350 varieties of plants, fruits, and vegetables, inspires chefs, artists, and designers, and has earned a Michelin Star and a Green Star. Yet that is not what captures people’s attention.
“From the very first moments after I arrived, one spring day, I was struck by the garden’s lush green, deepened by the sunlight of the Camargue,” he recounts. “I found myself in Bonnard’s painting, ‘La symphonie pastorale’. Shortly after, ‘Le velouté vert’ [green soup] came into form, prompted by my introduction to the wild herbs of the Camargue and a desire to use up surplus greens. It is still on the menu and varies along with each season’s harvest.”
The People Behind La Chassagnette
A restaurant is never defined by just one person.
For twenty years, La Chassagnette has grown thanks to its team of cooks, waiters and gardeners, winemakers, farmers, artisans, craftspeople, musicians, and artists. Some have been here since the beginning; some have come and gone, only to return. All have helped shape its identity
Early in 2006, Michel Mialhe was part of the front-of-house team. Today, Christophe Landi has taken over. Martine Babot has been in charge of the laundry since day one.
Benoît Mazoyer, Deputy Chef, first joined the kitchen in 2009 and has been with us ever since. While Claude Pernix retired after years as the Head Gardener, Arnaud Anson now oversees the garden alongside Françoise Hertaux, Abdeslem Bouyamaarddane, and many more who tend to the garden year-round.
Some people come, some people leave. Babies are born and grow up. Alexandre Escassut, the current Sous Chef, used to come to the restaurant for lunch with his parents when he was a child. He would stand on his tiptoes to peek into the kitchens through the window…
Among the other fellow companions are the guest chefs: Bruno Verjus, Amandine Chaignot, Yoni Saada, Céline Pham, Pierre Touitou, Christophe Dufau, Chiho Kanzaki, and Marcelo Di Giacomo; Adrien Cachot, Antonio Altamura, Masayo Funakoshi, Fabien Vallos and his banquet, Frédérick Grasser-Hermé and her gourmet couscous…
Winemakers hold a privileged place in the history of La Chassagnette. Les Terres Promises, Roc d’Anglade, Fleury, Danjou-Banessy, Partida Creus, Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey, Stefano Amerighi… More often than not, the team at La Chassagnette visits the winemaker first to learn about their vineyards, cellar, and craftsmanship. This ritual is truly invaluable.
Then there was Madame Saké, aka Adrienne Saulnier-Blache, who visited three times; collaborations with Philippe from the Gratte Semelle farm, the Cazottes distillery, Alexandre Pons and his poultry farm, Clivia Nobili and her workwear…
Not to forget friends who have become fond memories: Toshiro Kuroda, Jean-Luc Petitrenaud, and Taku Sekine.
Then came the first Vibrations Sonores with David Walker, Da Vince, Franck Descollonges, and the Heavenly Sweetness label. Other joyful highlights: the food truck on Boulevard des Lices, Les Vendanges Solidaires, the Refugee Food Festival, Étoiles et des femmes, and La Cuisine du Delta with artist-gardian Stanislas Blohorn and filmmaker Benoît Millot…
On June 21, we didn’t just celebrate Armand Arnal’s 20th anniversary at La Chassagnette. We raised a glass to all those who have cultivated, traversed, and lived in this place; and who continue to shape its future.
