Immerse yourself in an elegant Afternoon Tea experience at Arnaud Donckele & Maxime Frédéric’s new collaboration with Louis Vuitton at the White 1921 Hotel, where culinary artistry and luxury fashion converge in the heart of Saint-Tropez.
In the stunning seaside haven of Saint-Tropez, where cinematic charm meets unparalleled hospitality, Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric have returned to the White 1921 Hotel for their second season with Louis Vuitton. This pop-up seamlessly integrates the culinary prowess of these celebrated chefs with Louis Vuitton’s iconic elegance, offering a multisensory journey that embodies the sophistication of the French Riviera.
The White 1921 Hotel, once a private residence, now serves as an elegant boutique hotel with seven rooms and suites, all decorated in serene white tones punctuated by vibrant art and objects. The Louis Vuitton pop-up restaurant is located on the terrace, which boasts stylish rattan furniture and a chic ambiance enhanced by the signature LV Monogram. This setting provides a cool retreat from the bustling Place des Lices, known for its artisan markets.
Despite its exclusive feel, the experience remains accessible, with desserts starting at €18. The wine list, featuring options like Ruinart vintage 2016 by the glass for €40, reflects the more luxurious side of the menu.
Chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric, who first collaborated at Cheval Blanc Paris, bring their shared vision to Saint-Tropez with a menu that celebrates local terroir through Mediterranean flavours. Their creations include items such as a refined tomato tart, a wild prawn with verveine-scented sorbet, and roasted chicken with herb-infused vegetables. For dessert, Maxime Frédéric’s raspberry pavlova and vacherin ice cream cake offer a creative twist on classic French sweets.
Our table was set in a casually elegant style, with Louis Vuitton’s signature motifs in the orange and pink hues of the ‘LV by the Pool’ summer collection from everything from the placemats to the cushions; it’s a content creators dream.
The afternoon tea experience began with a refreshing minty drink, ideal for beating the summer heat. From the ‘Express Voyage into Maxime’s World’ menu, we chose our sweet selection including the strawberry wafer, with its crunchy shell and strawberry gelato, creating a delightful summer treat. The rhubarb dessert, decorated with LV motifs and drizzled with syrup, was almost too pretty to eat. A final highlight was the ‘hazelnut’ dessert, a perfectly circular confection, with incredible nutty layers showcasing the pastry chefs’ artistry. My initial scepticism about the pop-up being gimmicky was quickly dispelled with the desserts were among the finest I’ve ever tasted.
Though the Maison Coutume specialty coffee from Ethiopia was not a stand out, the coffee art is something to behold. If you prefer, the specialty tea selection includes the likes of verbena, chamomile, and white jasmine pearl tea.
The collaboration between Louis Vuitton and renowned chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric at the White 1921 Hotel artfully fuses the worlds of fashion and food. This Afternoon Tea experience is a testament to how high fashion and gourmet cuisine can harmoniously coexist, offering guests a refined and unforgettable taste of the French Riviera’s glamour and sophistication.
Afternoon Tea Sample Menu:
An Express Voyage into Maxime’s World
To Start…
- Dream refresher Freshly prepared Dolce Vita Ice Cream
- Strawberry wafer or Vacherin with rhubarb and Beaumes-de-Venise
- Desserts Inspired by the LV Dream Vanilla or Hazelnut
Savoury Selection
(Add 16 Euro per person)
- Vegetable sushi with Asian accents
- Focaccia flower with “Dolce Vita” tomato
- Creamy or Refreshing Signature Beverage (choice of one)
- Iced chocolate, hazelnut or vanilla latte, Iced tea, Pink Lemonade
High Tea in France – find more experiences
in our High Tea Venue Directory
