Auberge des genêts d'or

Set on the banks of the Loire, this inn, refurbished in a tasteful modern vein, is the bolthole of Marie and Fabien Raux (born in northern France, the chef’s eclectic career has taken him to fine establishments from Morocco to Alsace). The chef crafts dishes in the zeitgeist, curated into a single set menu and starring seasonal produce. The vegetables come straight from the nearly 5 acres of garden and orchard that supply 90% of the restaurant’s needs, even in winter! The remainder is sourced from a handful of local producers: Loire zander, lamb, rabbit… Everything tastes of something in this

This emblematic Beaujolais establishment, which continues to honour its rich legacy, is the HQ of Aurélien Merot. The chef delicately and indulgently pampers regional produce with a soft spot for jus and sauces: slow-baked fario trout from Isère, almonds and sorrel sauce; Bresse poultry cooked in Fleurie wine (the house specialty)… Excellent value for money (the lunchtime menu is a bargain!) plus an impressive wine list.

In this nature-inspired interior designed by architect Patrick Bouchain, the glass-paned dining areas are arranged around an imposing century-old oak tree. In this setting, César carries on the family tradition with aplomb, with cuisine that bears the Troisgros hallmark more indelibly than ever. The dishes are original, punctuated with flashes of vegetable-based ingenuity and subtle hints of acidity and bitterness. Beautifully elevated ingredients; refined and adventurous dishes; a permaculture kitchen garden and lake – an exceptional restaurant in a setting that will take your breath away.

Frédéric Doucet's restaurant is a creative and exciting take on established ideas of terroir and tradition. The son of bistro owners, he was born into the business, and cut his teeth in the kitchens of some of the greats, from Pierre Orsi and Paul Bocuse to the prestigious Maison Troisgros. In his premises nestled in the heart of a village with pointed towers and weathered roofs, the chef breaks it down for diners: nothing but fine ingredients from Saône-et-Loire (including Charolais beef, snails, pike and goat's cheese), prepared with rigorously applied classical techniques that do not exclud

This quintessential country restaurant, tucked away in a picturesque village in the heart of the Pouilly-Fuissé vineyards, is the brainchild of a friendly, industrious couple. He scours the local markets for fine produce, which he unveils in cleverly crafted dishes. For example, langoustines from Brittany with celtuce and the first tomatoes, frogs’ legs poached and deep-fried in Japanese breadcrumbs, or Bresse chicken with pattypan squash, rainbow chard and heirloom carrots… The food is naturally enough paired with a fine selection of Burgundy and Beaujolais. The set menu changes weekly – all

This stone building in the Mâconnais region is surrounded by a landscape of vineyards that extends to the Roche de Solutré. It houses the restaurant of a true Burgundian, Sébastien Chambru, who worked notably at Le Moulin de Mougins. He then headed off to Japan and, in Tokyo, was enthralled by the respect the Japanese chefs had for their ingredients. The author of several cookery books, he now conjures up his delicately creative cuisine here in Fuissé, finding inspiration in the day’s market (marinated and flamed tuna with condiments and beetroot-yuzu vinaigrette for example). In the adjoining

In this 16C château, where period terracotta floor tiles meet stone fireplaces, chef Julien Laval – who previously worked at Restaurant Serge Vieira in Chaudes-Aigues and was a finalist in the French Dessert Championship – is truly coming into his own. His indulgent modern dishes combine top-notch ingredients with a judicious use of international details, and are meticulously presented – take, for example, the foie gras terrine topped with a green tea and hibiscus jelly, served with lychee chutney in kumquat vinegar, or the Dombes duckling prepared two ways: cooked whole and pastilla, accompan