Camargues take terrace three-star restaurant to next level

The terraces of star restaurant L'Assiette Champenoise in Reims were in need of a makeover due to the lockdown. The shade cloths that hung there gave way to seven linked Camargue terrace canopies in March 2021. 

Equipped with LED lighting and cloth awnings, the covered 155-square-metre terrace now offers customers an extraordinary outdoor culinary experience, even in doubtful weather or in the evening after sunset. A terrace with a new dimension, on par with the haute cuisine of the three-star restaurant. Interior designer Grégory Guillemain (Homage) drew the design. Renson Premium Ambassador Highsun installed everything in record time.

During the lockdown for his terrace, the owner of L'Assiette Champenoise was looking for a better solution than the shade cloths that had been hanging there for about ten years at the time," says Grégory Guilleman (Homage). "He wanted to offer his clientele a completely different outdoor experience, not least because at the time it was one of the only ways to still be able and allowed to serve people meals. We ended up with Renson because we were looking for aesthetic solutions that were also efficient and timeless. The Camargue terrace covering was the most appropriate solution in this case because of its very sober, pure design. It also allowed us to choose colours that matched the existing colour palette. The combination of structure in beige grey (RAL 7006) and roof slats in matt yellow/beige (RAL 1019) creates a perfect match with the red brick building and the lush greenery of the adjacent park."

Jean-Rémy Baudart of Renson-Premium Ambassador Highsun paired no fewer than seven Camargues together for this project. Together they form an L, good for a total area of 155 square metres, fully modular. "The patio covers are fitted with Fixscreen awnings and LED lighting," says Jean-Rémy. "The vertical screens protect people under the canopy from wind, rain, sun and even insects. The integrated LEDs in the Camargues create atmosphere and allow for outdoor dining even later in the evening or at night. Renson is a well-known brand with a strong commitment to personalisation, as evidenced here by the options and desired colour combinations. An additional advantage is also that even years after installation, you can still expand or adjust the patio cover, so you can see the project from a different angle each time. Adding components such as sliding panels or additional accessories such as audio or heating immediately give it a new lease of life."

Highsun moved heaven and earth for this prestigious project to get the terrace covered at short notice. "The installation of the seven Camargues was done in one week," Jean-Rémy proudly explains. "This even involved removing a piece of wall from the restaurant to integrate the canopy architecturally in the best possible way."

For this impressive project, both interior designer and Renson Premium Ambassador reap nothing but praise. "This is a very successful project," Grégory summarises. "Anyone who has already had the pleasure of eating under the canopy was immediately enthusiastic. We also heard only positive noises from the employees who work under the canopy every day." 

"The clientele who visit this three-star restaurant are looking for the best of the best," Jean-Rémy knows. "And they come from all over the world for that. With the terrace canopy, the outdoor experience is now on a par with the meals. It is therefore great to be able to realise a project in such a renowned restaurant. A number of local restaurant owners already came knocking on our door to carry out similar projects on a smaller scale. So this was a great success."■