Le Village

The fine dining restaurant of Château de Montcaud is helmed by a talented chef, Matthieu Hervé, who pulls out all the stops to regale us with polished Mediterranean fare. A constantly updated menu offers a succession of meticulously crafted, flavoursome dishes: whole red mullet served bouillabaisse style, or fillet of Ségala veal with asparagus and morels. This date-night kinda place is depicted by an exquisite interior courtyard lined in Virginia creeper with room for only six or seven tables, further adding to the exclusive experience.

On the edge of the Cévennes, chef Sébastien Rath and his wife Gwladys are breathing new life into this old inn with a garden terrace and a lovely bright dining room decorated in a palette of soft hues. The chef's love of local produce never wavers, be it the ingredients (trout from Les Fumades fish farm, pigeon des Costières, fruit from the surrounding orchards, wild herbs etc), the cutlery on the tables or even the jeans manufactured in Lozère for his team! The blind menus reveal the inspirations of the seasons, every dish echoing the chef's sincerity and dedication.

In a picturesque village not far from the Pont-du-Gard, Denis Martin (ex The Marcel) and his wife Joana have set up shop in a handsome limestone building. The chef crafts spot-on, expressive dishes, in which lamb from Les Baux, Mediterranean seabass and the rich Occitan terroir take centre stage – to be savoured on the terrace or in the bright interior. A champion of regional produce, the chef crafts a festival of spot-on, well-balanced dishes. The weekday lunchtime menu is excellent value for money. Why not stay overnight in one of the attractive guestrooms and enjoy the swimming pool? In a n

Duende! Come and see how the arts of bullfighting and flamenco dancing have set fire to the imagination of Pierre Gagnaire. The fine dining establishment of the Hotel Imperator has its own separate entrance, in line with the chef’s independent spirit. Premium ingredients, proven technical expertise, spontaneity and originality. The tasting menu pays a subtle tribute to the finest produce from the Gard and the Mediterranean region (Baron des Cévennes pork, vegetables from small market gardeners, fish from the Mediterranean) in subtle, delicate dishes. The superb wine list of over 1,000 referenc

This magnificent 15C town house is home to a fine dining restaurant which sports a plush velvety interior and a huge counter separating the room and the kitchen. Former second of Georgiana Viou, chef Luka-Tao Debenath deploys his creative streak in appetisers like a grassy runner bean jus followed by a starter of brioche bread roll stuffed with garlic-laced brousse cheese, lemon and mint, crunchy beans, samphire and garlic flowers. This may then be followed by grey mullet breaded in fig leaf and served chilled with garden tomatoes and fresh herbs, a tarragon bearnaise sauce and a tomato water.

In the Cévennes capital, this small restaurant with a low-key façade will set your tastebuds tingling. The chef wholeheartedly works with fresh seasonal produce as he deftly and savvily incorporates spices. An appetising score, unbeatable lunchtime menu and a lovely terrace for alfresco summer dining.

This gourmet bolthole located behind the Arènes, just opposite the Musée de la Romanité, is run by chef Damien Sanchez, a local boy with stints at the Cabro d'Or, La Réserve de Beaulieu, Christopher Coutanceau in La Rochelle and, finally, in his hometown alongside Jérôme Nutile. Damien’s cooking hits the spot every time, thanks to a strong focus on vegetables and crisp, vibrant flavours that showcase regional ingredients: shrimps from Grau-du-Roi cooked in stock, bavaroise of broccoli and a spring roll of green cabbage stuffed with shrimps; lightly seared John Dory, grilled squash and a honey