Dear Friends,
Sylvie Lhopiteau died last week at the age of 56 after a several year battle with breast cancer. Sylvie was the owner, cook, server, dishwasher, boss of the best staff imaginable and maître d' of the Restaurant Le Serre in Villefranche sur Mer, France. But none of that explains the importance of Sylvie in our lives or in the life of Villefranche.
We met Sylvie almost 10 years ago when we first visited Villefranche and Le Serre. Since then we have had the opportunity to get to know her and fully appreciate what an amazing person she was. At Le Serre, Sylvie created not just a wonderful restaurant but a community and gathering place where everybody - locals, part-time expats and tourists - could bask in the warmth of Sylvie's incredible hospitality and inclusion. She made all of us feel like we belonged - that we were welcomed not just as clients but as friends, that we were loved. Her incredible staff, for us particularly Marylène and Bérénice, did exactly the same.
It is impossible to put into words, how wonderful it was for us to be greeted by Sylvie, Marylène and Bérénice when we would return after a several month absence, or how they would take the time to talk with us (on slow nights) about our lives and theirs. Having a place to go, have a great meal, be truly welcomed and included is one of the things we really love about Villefranche.
We last saw Sylvie in February 2023. She looked great and welcomed us with her usual warm enthusiastic manner. She took a turn for the worse over the summer, but had returned home. Unfortunately, her health deteriorated rapidly recently. We were not prepared for her death, and could not convey our feelings in French, but we were so relieved that we were here and could go to her memorial service and share in the communal grieving. While we could not understand much of what the priest said, we could get the sense of the eulogies by family and friends. It was obvious that the love we felt for Sylvie was shared by all present.
Rest in peace Sylvie. You are loved and will be missed.
