Where Michelin-starred precision meets Alpine wilderness, Ursus Tignes transforms fine dining into an enchanted forest journey through Chef Clément Bouvier's extraordinary mountain gastronomy. Named after the last brown bears of the Savoie region, this singular restaurant creates an immersive woodland sanctuary within one of Tignes' premier hotels, featuring 390 authentic fir tree trunks that separate intimate dining alcoves beneath a leafy canopy ceiling.

Chef Clément Bouvier, former second to culinary legend Jean-François Piège, earned Ursus both a coveted Michelin star in 2019 and the prestigious Michelin Green Star in 2020 for exceptional sustainability practices. His pioneering "forest-to-table" philosophy celebrates the Savoy region's natural bounty through creative Alpine cuisine that honors both tradition and innovation. The Bouvier family's commitment to excellence extends beyond the kitchen, operating this high-altitude culinary sanctuary at 2,100 meters year-round.

Bouvier's seasonal tasting menu showcases locally foraged ingredients including wild polypode mushrooms, mountain herbs, freshwater fish, and carefully sourced game. Signature presentations like Arctic char with wild mushrooms and alpine herbs arrive on plates adorned with stones, moss, and logs, creating theatrical dining moments that echo the surrounding forest. Each dish reflects the chef's relentless pursuit of the finest local ingredients, with flavors that shift dramatically with the seasons. The restaurant's 100% Alpine cheese trolley presents rare regional varieties rarely found beyond these mountains.

The dining experience unfolds within an extraordinary interior where walnut wood tables nestle among real tree trunks, while undulating carpets mimic forest floors beneath the botanical ceiling canopy. This 45-seat sanctuary offers intimate "thickets" for private conversation, enhanced by subdued lighting that creates an otherworldly atmosphere. Service strikes the perfect balance between Michelin-level precision and mountain warmth, with knowledgeable staff sharing the stories behind each foraged ingredient and local producer.

Ursus's wine program stands as one of the Alps' most impressive, featuring nearly 800 references that emphasize rare Alpine vintages and local terroir expressions. The carefully curated selection pairs seamlessly with Bouvier's mountain-inspired cuisine, while the legendary cheese service showcases exclusively Savoyarde varieties accompanied by perfectly matched regional wines.

Reservations at this Michelin-starred forest sanctuary require advance planning, particularly during peak ski season when Tignes fine dining reaches its zenith. For discerning gourmands seeking the best restaurants Tignes offers, Ursus delivers an unparalleled combination of culinary artistry, environmental consciousness, and immersive design that transforms dinner into an unforgettable journey through the heart of the French Alps.