La Faisanderie 16

Deep in the countryside, in a Natura 2000-protected site, this restaurant is housed in a 16C mill. The interior has been refurbished in a contemporary style featuring glass, wood and clean lines, as well as the mill mechanism. Matthieu Brudo elegantly showcases the terroir: Vitrac-Saint-Vincent pork pluma glazed with ponzu and Mornac chickpeas, Limousin beef, Neuvic sturgeon and fish caught fresh in Royan. The wine list, which points to a penchant for natural and biodynamic estates, is the perfect complement to the sincere and generous cuisine.

In this picturesque village where visitors can journey from prehistory to the Renaissance, this restaurant enjoys a truly stunning setting at the base of a cliff. This outbuilding of the Benedictine abbey of Brantôme also features a splendid terrace on the banks of the River Dronne, facing the town’s 16C angled bridge. Here, the chef’s fine, flavoursome cuisine is ably supported by a cast of superb ingredients, perfect cooking techniques and meticulous presentation. All in all, a venerable property with a contemporary and timeless charm.

Picture a sprawling estate (almost 2,500 acres) of woodland, forest, meadows, farmsteads and ponds and now add a 13C castle equipped with all the modern comforts one would expect from a luxury establishment. The former stables have been converted into a dining room that adroitly blends antique and trendy details. The estate’s homegrown produce and aromatic fresh herbs feature prominently on the menu, as kitchen garden recipes vie for pride of place with confidently curated textbook classics. The terrace is heavenly in fine weather.

Let’s get down to the basics (or the Essentials), rather than losing time in pointless conjectures. The ingredient rules in this family-run restaurant, next-door to the cathedral, and Éric Vidal is its virtuoso (yet humble) servant. For thirty or so diners, he organises a genuine banquet of flavour, thanks to delicately balanced preparations. Wild turbot baked in olive oil, pressed celery with black truffles; tartare of mango and pineapple with passion fruit jelly and French almond tea cakes… The tasty culinary score is flanked by a selection of wines that is fully equal to the attractive menu

In this contemporary bistro, the chef rolls out a score that is as straightforward and satisfying as the establishment’s name suggests. Bistro classics (think French onion soup, beef tartare, chocolate mousse) rub shoulders with traditional country recipes, on which he puts a savvy new spin. A case in point is the cromesquis of aligot made with fresh Aubrac tome and tarragon-spiked raviole of poultry. The indulgent, beautifully crafted desserts are wickedly enticing, e.g. an apple extravaganza with caramelised apple, granny smith sorbet, apple gel, pastry cream laced with Madagascan vanilla an

This restaurant is housed in a contemporary building exuding rustic charm on the banks of the Charente River and opposite the château that houses the Grand Marnier distillery. Both indoors and out on the terrace, modern decor provides the backdrop for the signature cuisine of father-and-son team Thierry and Julien Verrat. Proceedings open with sourdough bread and summer truffle butter, followed by refined bites with Japanese influences: beechwood-smoked oysters, eel chawanmushi, and chicken liver mousse with XO cognac. The mains continue in this delicate vein: foie gras with seaweed and sturge

The restaurant of the Hôtel Chais Monnet is housed in the room where cognac was aged in huge century-old barrels (the salle des foudres)! In the intimate-feeling dining areas with their hushed atmosphere, no detail has been neglected, from the exquisite contemporary silverware to the fine glassware. The cuisine is meticulously crafted in order to showcase local ingredients from the Charente terroir: free-range poultry, fish from the fish market, Île de Ré potatoes etc. The chef sets great store by plating his dishes elegantly and perfecting his concentrated sauces, and enjoys experimenting wit