Henri Carlier Takes the Reins in the Kitchens of Villa Florentine
At age 28, Henri Carlier took the helm in the kitchen at Villa Florentine. Having worked under Jean-Louis Nomicos, Arnaud Donckele, and Hugo Bourny, the young chef now intends to put his own stamp on this iconic, newly renovated restaurant.
Nestled in the hills of Old Lyon, the Villa Florentine is beginning a new chapter in its history. Acquired in 2025 by the Beauvallon Group, it underwent renovations before reopening its doors in the spring of 2026. To lead the kitchen, the group has chosen the young chef Henri Carlier. He oversees the establishment’s entire culinary offerings: the restaurant La Table, breakfast, the tea room, room service, and a bistronomic counter.
Training at Renowned Establishments
At 28, Henri Carlier’s career has already been shaped by exceptional restaurants. Trained under Chef Jean-Louis Nomicos, with whom he completed his apprenticeship, he honed his high standards and technical skills. He went on to work with Chef Arnaud Donckele at La Vague d’Or in Saint-Tropez and then at Plénitude in Paris before joining Chef Hugo Bourny as sous-chef at Lucas Carton.
A cuisine in the making: coherent and evocative
In the kitchens of Villa Florentine, Henri Carlier envisions a cuisine that is “evolving, because he embraces his youth as a source of creative energy; coherent, because it is conceived in constant dialogue with producers and the seasons; and, finally, emotional, because he seeks to evoke memories rather than mere displays, ” states the Beauvallon Group in a press release.
Henri Carlier also places great emphasis on plant-based and seafood dishes, with a particular focus on local products and producers. “The chef aims to create a holistic and immersive experience, one that is both sincere and sensitive: a vibrant and contemporary tribute to French gastronomy, enriched with Italian influences that echo the history and spirit of the place.”
A venue undergoing a renaissance
The change in leadership comes amid a broader transformation of the Villa Florentine. A former 17th-century convent that became a Relais & Châteaux property, the establishment was acquired by Beauvallon Collection in the fall of 2025. Closed for several months, the venue underwent a complete transformation, led by interior architect and designer Joséphine Fossey. Villa Florentine boasts a unique setting, blending historic heritage, views of Old Lyon, and a new culinary vision.
