Le Clos des Vignes

Chef Naoëlle d'Hainaut chose this small side street at the foot of Pontoise Cathedral as the location for her first restaurant. The result is a real success, from the elegant decor (Scandinavian style, light colours, glass-fronted wine cellar, open kitchen) to the contemporary cuisine. One dish that lingers in the memory is the iced lobster with a concentrated jus, roasted quinoa, shiitake mushrooms and a beurre noisette foam. Each dish rolls out the same technical skill, harmony of flavours and refreshing honesty, underpinned by well-paced, relaxed and professional service from a young and ef

Following in his father’s footsteps, Guillaume Guibet has taken over the reins of this former hunting lodge (1886). His spot-on, creative cooking keeps pace with the seasons, with the occasional nod to Asian traditions acquired after a stint at the Japanese restaurant, Kei, in Paris). He delicately, even cheekily crafts a feast of premium ingredients, as in a ceviche of bream with button mushrooms or morels and a bacon-flavoured sabayon. The same flair extends to the stylish wood- and leather-rich interior and to the guestrooms, designed like individual chalets, with a terrace or outdoor tub w

On the edge of the forest of Hez, this gracious late-19C mansion, set in peaceful wooded grounds, is ideal for a gourmet weekend in the country. After savouring the peace and quiet of the terrace, the plush bourgeois interior provides the perfect foil for the talents of chef Nicolas Leclercq and his wife Yolaine. Nicolas’ grandmother first opened the restaurant back in 1956, at which time she made her own butter from the milk of her own cow! The large cottage garden (take the time to stroll around it after your meal) supplies the kitchen with fresh vegetables and herbs, which are picked by the

How time flies! Frédéric Anton has been the chef of the Pré Catelan, the mythical Napoleon III lodge nestled in the Bois de Boulogne and refurbished by Pierre-Yves Rochon with lashings of designer furniture and a palette of green, white and silver tones, for almost 30 years. Born in Nancy into a working-class family, this Meilleur Ouvrier de France learned the ropes under Joël Robuchon. His tasting menu, which stars top-drawer produce (scallops, langoustine, salmon, caviar), is a masterclass of high-flying understatement and razor-sharp precision. The culinary score, which rises to a crescendo

In an interior dominated by a masterful charcoal work, an "urban cave painting" depicting a bestiary by the artist Adel Abdessemed, Pierre Gagnaire continues to finetune France’s culinary scene with his adventurous, wholehearted and excessive signature cuisine. This fan of jazz and contemporary art never rests on his laurels. Gagnaire's restaurant, which has had three stars since 1996, reflects his character: modern, understated and subtly sophisticated, all of which is in perfect harmony with the service. The poetic dishes are constantly reinvented, like small "satellite" portions sent into o

This charming hotel perched on a chalk cliff was originally commissioned in 1908 by King Leopold II of Belgium so that he could entertain his lover, Blanche de Vaughan, but it is now a magnet for foodies. Sourcing local produce is central to the estate’s outlook: scallops from the Bay of the Seine, farm-reared lamb from nearby breeders and fresh fruit and vegetables from local growers. The result is recipes oozing in fresh, crisp, wholesome flavours. When the weather is fine, alfresco dining on the terrace gazing down over the meanders of the Seine is heavenly. On the other side of the street,

Unadulterated style and opulence – lofty columns, ornate mouldings and tall bouquets of flowers, all bathed in soft light pouring in from the interior garden… Here, in one of the most prestigious Parisian palaces, chef Christian Le Squer commands respect by working his magic year after year. His timeless cuisine, always showcasing outstanding produce, unveils his virtuoso technique and phenomenal delicacy. Hailing from Morbihan, he never fails to pay tribute to his native Brittany, brilliantly celebrating this terroir and its seafood, eg lait ribot (Breton buttermilk) is paired with caviar and