The Lorains ,
the story of a family passion

LA CÔTE SAINT-JACQUES & SPA *****

The story of a family passion

1945,

Marie Lorain, a seamstress but also a very good cook, opened a small boarding house in Joigny, in a beautiful bourgeois home. The establishment was named after the hill which overlooks it, the Côte Saint-Jacques.

Born the youngest of four children in 1934, Michel Lorain chose a career in the kitchen after an apprenticeship as a pastry chef.

1958,

he took up the reins of the family business with his wife Jacqueline and proposed a simple, regional cuisine.

With the creation of the nearby A6 motorway, the small inn was transformed into a high quality restaurant, which was recognized throughout the region

1971,

he was awarded its first Michelin star, and then a second in 1976.

Jacqueline Lorain became a confirmed sommelier, one of the first women to succeed in the traditionally male-dominated world of winemaking.

1977,

the Côte Saint-Jacques became a member of the Relais et Châteaux association, and of Tradition et Qualité. That year, it also received three red toques from Gault and Millau.

1983,

After a secondary school degree in science and apprenticeships with Troisgros in Roanne, Claude Deligne (Taillevent in Paris) and Fredy Girardet (in Crissier, Switzerland), Jean-Michel Lorain permanently joined his father and climbed the ranks of the Côte Saint-Jacques kitchen brigade.

1986,

Michel Lorain obtained three Michelin stars and at the age of 27, Jean-Michel, who had actively participated in this adventure, became the youngest chef in France to obtain this supreme distinction.

2000,

major work was undertaken to transfer the dining rooms to the banks of the River Yonne. It was at this time that the direction of the kitchen was formally handed from father to son.

With all these changes, the restaurant lost a Michelin star in 2001. It won the star back three years later and the Côte Saint-Jacques was reinstated into the very closed circle of the twenty-six best restaurants in France.

2007,

An exceptional SPA was created, with 800 m² located on 2 levels, dedicated to well-being and relaxation.

In 2012, our Spa won the trophy for the best spa awarded by Relais et Châteaux

2009,

the Côte Saint-Jacques was elected "best hotel restaurant in Europe" at the Prix Villégiature Awards.

In 2021, the Côte Saint Jacques figures prominently in the OAD ranking of the 150 best European restaurants 

2017,

The Residence obtains the 5 star rating and joins the elite of the French hotel trade.

Thanks to the rooms, maintenance and reception teams led by Karine Lorain for their involvement in this project

2018,

Alain Delon presented Jean-Michel Lorain with the insignia of Knight in the National Order of the Legion of Honour.

In 1993, Jean-Michel was named Chef of the Year by Christian Millau, who gave him a near perfect score of 19.5/20.

2021,

La Côte Saint Jacques has been awarded a green star, synonymous with sustainable and virtuous commitments to the environment, in the Michelin Guide 2021.

This is a reward for all the efforts we make in this direction: proximity with local producers, development of our vegetable garden, promotion of natural and organic wine producers, intelligent management of our waste... And so on...

Not forgetting, of course, our association for the defence of biodiversity and wildlife, "Dessine nous un Avenir", which works alongside associations that fight on the ground on all continents.

We would like to thank and congratulate all our teams for their commitment to us on a daily basis.

2022,

Our 5 star hotel classification has been renewed for 5 years by Atout France

Thank you to the room, maintenance and reception teams, led with passion by Karine Lorain, 

for their involvement in this project

2023,

A new setting for a new generation

Closed for six weeks in January and February 2023, the Michelin-starred restaurant La Côte Saint-Jacques in Joigny reopened its doors on Valentine's Day, after a facelift in the dining room and kitchen.

Discover a new decor, entirely redesigned to bring you even more pleasure, conviviality and emotions at our Table

2023,

Preserving the culinary identity of the Côte Saint-Jacques, applying his mark while respecting the past, with an eye to the future, is the mission ofAlexandre Bondoux, 31 years old.

The handover is taking place naturally and smoothly, under the benevolent eye of his uncle Jean-Michel Lorain, chef Claude Leblanc, a true pillar of the house, and a close-knit kitchen team....

a bridge between Burgundy and Thailand

J’aime by JML Bangkok

In Bangkok, Jean-Michel Lorain has created a gastronomical hotspot that offers a new approach towards French meals in Thailand.

a bridge between Burgundy and Thailand

J’aime by JML Bangkok

In Bangkok, Jean-Michel Lorain has created a gastronomical hotspot that offers a new approach towards French meals in Thailand.

 

This innovative and classic restaurant, combining the best of French cuisine and the refinement of Chinese service, is headed by Amerigo Sesti.

Talented and passionate, this chef cut his teeth under Jean-Michel Lorain and some of the most renowned chefs of the planet.

You will be warmly welcomed there by Marine Lorain, daughter of Jean-Michel, for a unique culinary experience: the dishes are served consecutively, and every guest, whether among family or between friends, can experience and share the chef's creations in a convivial atmosphere.

J’AIME is the first restaurant of its kind in the world, offering a culinary adventure with no equivalent.

U Sathorn Bangkok, 105, 105/1 Soi Ngam Duphli
Thung Maha Mek Sub-district Sathorn District,
Bangkok 10120, Thailand

 

star michelin 

J'AIME by JML, starred restaurant

We are delighted to announce that our restaurant J'aime by Jean Michel Lorain has been awarded a Michelin Star in the Michelin Guide in Bangkok.

It is truly an honour to be selected for this award.

Thank you to my teams, to Marine my daughter and Amerigo Sesti, talented chef.

Congratulations to you

Help us to Protect Biodiversity and our Planet

"DESSINE NOUS UN AVENIR"

We do not inherit the Earth from our Parents, we borrow it from our Children
Saint-Exupéry

 

For several years, with my wife Karine, we have had the opportunity to travel around the different continents and in particular the African lands to admire the treasures that nature offers us. 

During our travels, we have been able to forge links with men and women on the terrain, who are now witnessing the threat of extinction of many species getting closer every day.
We decided to found the association "Dessine nous un Avenir" in order not to remain spectators of the tragedy that is taking place all over the world, including on our doorstep. 

The aim of the association "Dessine nous un Avenir" is to sensitize young people to the urgency of protecting biodiversity and our planet as a whole. 

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