His cuisine, simple yet generous, is imbued with love and quality ingredients, creating an authentic culinary experience.
In the 1950s, Jean Cocteau, influenced by his friend Albert Lorent, undertook to redecorate the Saint-Pierre Chapel in Villefranche-sur-Mer. The work took place in Germaine’s restaurant, which became the headquarters for the project. It was not without difficulty that the chapel, formerly used as a net shed for local fishermen, was transformed into a jewel, despite resistance from some residents.
Germaine Brau was born on 9 April 1900 in Saint-Nazaire, at the beginning of a century marked by change. At the age of 17, she worked as a cook in an American military camp near her home.
In 1925, she arrived in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Seduced by the beauty of the place, she dreamed of opening her own restaurant in this peaceful and sunny corner of the world. A talented cook, she quickly found work, attracting sailors in search of a comforting meal. These sailors, on stopovers, were looking for a place to pass the time, far from home, with a good beer or whisky, accompanied by a delicious French meal.
She opened her first restaurant on Rue de l’Église. There, she met a dashing Alpine hunter, Louis Brau, who would become her husband. At that time, the citadel of Villefranche, now the town hall and museum, was still a military barracks.
Germaine and Louis had two daughters: Claire, nicknamed Poupette, and Josiane.
In 1938, the couple moved to the seafront, on Quai Courbet, an area with almost no shops. Only a few fishermen’s sheds and cellars remained. But with the end of the war and the return of tourism, the Côte d’Azur regained its splendour. It was then that ‘La Mère Germaine’ became a must-visit destination for visitors.
It was Françoise Rosay, a grande dame of French cinema, who played the role of this ‘French mother’ on screen. Later, while having lunch at Mère Germaine’s restaurant, the actress made this noble remark:
‘This role should have been given to Germaine herself.’
Germaine’s fame quickly spread beyond the borders of Villefranche. She became a living legend, known throughout the American fleet.
People flocked from all over, attracted by her cooking, of course, but above all by the warmth that reigned in her establishment.
They came from all corners of the world. Her name was whispered, like a precious secret.
People didn’t just come to eat at Mère Germaine’s: they came to find a little comfort.
No one had thought of it, and yet it happened naturally. A woman, a mother, was to become an iconic figure of the US Sixth Fleet. Everything unfolded with the simplicity of great things, as when genius emerges from an encounter between a person and circumstances made to reveal it.
To those who were surprised that she could balance her demanding job with the attention she gave to these young sailors, Germaine simply replied:
‘I do what my heart tells me to do.’
Officers, non-commissioned officers, and ordinary sailors were all treated with the same kindness. In her eyes, they were like her own sons.
In the eyes of these young sailors, she could read the discreet sadness often seen in those who live far from their homeland. She understood their loneliness. She spoke their language, but above all, she spoke the language of the heart. They could tell her anything. And she listened. She responded with warmth, kindness and sincerity.
Sensitivity was always the driving force in Germaine’s life.
Little by little, from ship to ship, a precious address was passed on: that of ‘Mom Germaine’ in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Her reputation grew to such an extent that the US Navy decided to produce a film recounting the life and work of this exceptional woman, so respected and loved.
It was Josiane whom ‘Pop’ — Louis Brau, the husband of ‘Mom Germaine’ — entrusted with the mission of keeping the family legacy alive. Rémy, with energy and creativity, joined the adventure. Together, they developed the restaurant without betraying its soul, but adapting it to the expectations of an increasingly demanding clientele.
Rémy, with tact and inspiration, transformed the already renowned establishment into a Grand Restaurant. A place where people come for the experience, for the memories, for the food…
And where they return, above all, for the unspoilt emotion.
In 1949, Claire, affectionately known as Poupette, married Thomas Kelley, an American sailor whom she met every Sunday at church. Like in a fairy tale, they got married, lived happily ever after… and had five children: two boys and three girls.
Josiane, meanwhile, left for the United States to train in the art of hospitality. She worked at one of New York’s most prestigious establishments: the Waldorf Astoria.
Returning to France for a holiday, she had an unexpected encounter. Rémy Blouin, a young man who had come from Tahiti to study in Paris, crossed her path. A passionate musician, he was then leading the folk group Les Kaveka, which popularised the tamure dance in the capital in 1962.
Josiane never returned to New York. She married Rémy, and together they had two children: Thierry and Valérie.
In Villefranche-sur-Mer, between Nice and Monaco, La Mère Germaine restaurant has been a must-visit destination on the French Riviera since 1938.
It was in this peaceful fishing port that Germaine Brau chose to open her establishment, facing the sea. Very quickly, the restaurant became a meeting place for sailors, artists and food lovers.
Jean Cocteau, who was a regular visitor to Villefranche, said fondly:
‘When I look at Villefranche, I see my youth. May it never change.’
A tribute to this timeless place… and to the warmth of a restaurant that has become legendary.
Thierry Blouin, son of Josiane and Rémy, represents the third generation. After five years of apprenticeship at the family restaurant, he left for the United States to train in the hotel industry.
Upon his return, he continued the legacy of La Mère Germaine, founded by his grandparents, infusing it with his own vision.
Born of passion, love and tradition, La Mère Germaine continues its beautiful journey… between celebrations, transmission and the art of living.
