Le Relais d'Horbé

Here in the former capital of the Perche region, Sylvain Parisot draws inspiration from the local terroir and masters wood-fired cooking. A dish of crispy-skinned mackerel, pink at the bone, and sabayon with vin jaune perfectly illustrates the skill, sensibility and finesse of this talented young chef, who trained at renowned establishments such as L'Astrance and La Maison Lameloise. Keiko, his wife, keeps a watchful eye over the restaurant floor. A hit with foodies.

This welcoming hostelry, which belonged to the chef’s great grandparents, boasts an authentic family atmosphere. After learning the ropes in prestigious restaurants, the chef has returned to his roots in the company of his wife, who hails from the southwest as you might be able to guess from her accent. A quintessential French country inn, particularly when lunching on the small patio in fine weather.

Amandine Chaignot has breathed new life into this inn, in which centuries-old beams meet modern concrete. While the bistro has energised this village deep in the Perche region, the fine dining restaurant unveils a personal style of cooking marked by remarkable finesse. The restaurant's name, meaning "sage", is particularly apt, as herbs are ever-present in and set the tone for the dishes: sorrel or nettle in the starters, complemented by bay leaf oil or an infusion of verbena, rosemary and sage. Locally sourced produce, from neighbouring farmers, lies at the heart of the plant-forward menu.