Amélie Darvas Opens Her Restaurant, Âme, Near Montpellier

After several months of planning, Amélie Darvas is set to open Âme, her new restaurant located between Nîmes and Montpellier. It’s an intimate spot where the chef will be able to fully express herself.

Mathilde Bourge Published today at 13:58

In Beaulieu, a former blacksmith’s shop is about to rekindle the fire that once brought its walls to life. No longer the fire of metal forged by artisans, but that of the stoves at Âme,Amélie Darvas’s new restaurant. The chef, known for her socially conscious cuisine and her unique approach to plant-based cooking, will open this restaurant on July 16, 2026, with the goal of creating a vibrant space shaped by the building’s history, the rhythm of the seasons, and the bounty of the Languedoc region.

An on-site vegetable garden

Following her Äponem venture, Amélie Darvas is turning a new page in her career. In Beaulieu, she has found a setting that lives up to her convictions. The former blacksmith’s shop, whose artisanal spirit has been preserved, embodies a vision of the craft rooted in the art of the hand, the transformation of materials, and the passing down of traditional skills—values that naturally resonate with her approach to cooking.

The project also rests on one essential element: the garden. Âme relies on its own vegetable garden and herb garden, tended by the restaurant’s team. Vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers are grown there with the utmost care, in harmony with the seasons and natural cycles. This connection to the earth directly inspires the chef’s cuisine, which prioritizes ingredients harvested at peak ripeness and prepared in a way that best highlights their natural qualities.

On the plate, this philosophy translates into a refined cuisine centered on flavor and the authenticity of the ingredients. True to her sensibility, Amélie Darvas places a strong emphasis on plant-based ingredients, without ever limiting herself to a rigid approach. Her creations will evolve with the harvests, her encounters with producers, and the inspiration of the moment.

A Special Focus on Wine

At her side, sommelier Bérangère Bouton plays a key role in shaping Âme’s identity. Together, they craft an experience where cuisine and wine engage in a natural dialogue. The wine cellar will highlight winemakers who share the same values of authenticity, respect for life, and regional roots, with a special focus on Languedoc estates and dedicated artisans.

Offered as a single-course menu priced at 116 euros, Âme champions an unpretentious experience guided by the season, the garden, and the expertise of those who bring the project to life. In this former blacksmith’s shop-turned-gourmet restaurant, Amélie Darvas and Bérangère Bouton mark a long-awaited return to the regional culinary scene, with a venue that aims to bring together heritage, nature, and gastronomy in a single, cohesive vision.