Maison d'Hôtes La Lumière de Migou

Pierre Lambinon is nothing if not wholehearted! In this restaurant just a stone's throw from the Pont Neuf, he is making waves with his cooking. The meal begins with a festival of appetisers, bringing a foretaste of the flavours that will define the meal. The chef is at his most inspired when it comes to deftly preparing dishes based on herbs from the garden, fish and seafood and fine seasonal vegetables – intoxicating seafood aromas, grilled notes and the bitter overtones of vegetables. For example, line-caught hake from Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Pyrenean trout gravlax, broad beans and wild garli

Chef Quentin Pellestor-Veyrier has set up shop with his partner Camille Hubert (front of house) in the former premises of Yannick Delpech's L'Amphitryon. Now in his thirties, he has built up a remarkable CV, having honed his skills in prestigious restaurants in the South of France (Franck Putelat, Gilles Goujon) and alongside another icon of Mediterranean cuisine, Alain Ducasse. His menu pays tribute to Occitan culinary heritage: from the South-West, foie gras and duck breast, veau du Ségala (veal), fragrant strawberries and toasted almonds; from the Mediterranean, Sétoise rouille, oysters fro

On the road between Bordeaux and Toulouse, in the heart of a tiny picturesque village near Agen, this country inn occupies a centuries-old stone house, whose terrace, shaded by ancient plane trees, faces a Clunisian priory founded in the 11C. A former consort of Michel Trama of Puymirol, chef Benjamin Toursel has forged his own distinctive modern style, scattered with bold, creative notes that frequently surprise the diner: mouth-wateringly juicy red tuna with a wasabi made out of roses, rhubarb and rose geranium; rack of veal, raw and cooked carrots and nasturtium-flavoured béarnaise. A prior

As Michel Sarran puts it, "this is more of a house than a restaurant", where guests are invited to take the time to eat and enjoy the moment in one of two dining rooms – a modern space on the ground floor and a more hushed and elegant ambiance on the first floor. Originally from the Gers département, the chef divided his time between the South-West and the Mediterranean before settling in Toulouse, where he came to be one of the city's culinary ambassadors. With his single set menus that celebrate the region's finest produce, he creates a sun-kissed take on the cuisine of the South of France,

Conventional French wisdom has it that you shouldn't judge a tree by its bark (écorce), but we would beg to differ! In an intimate setting accommodating around 20 covers facing the kitchen, the chef demonstrates a sure touch. The dishes, always accessible and balanced, feature carefully sourced ingredients and precise sauces – a contemporary tart of vegetables and seaweed; John Dory with mushrooms, passion fruit and olive sauce; Aveyron veal cooked two ways. The wine list homes in on a handful of well-chosen labels, with some excellent pairings available by the glass.

In a bright, stylish dining interior (hardwood floors, pale wood tables, wine cellar) and a flower-decked interior courtyard covered by a glass-paned roof, this enchanting, quiet and peaceful setting comes as a surprise in the very heart of the Place du Capitole. At this prestigious address, Stéphane Tournié, a former student of Lucien Vanel, André Daguin, Philippe Legendre (Taillevent) and Christian Constant (Le Crillon), lets his talent shine. This dedicated artisan focuses on the essential, with dishes such as scallops, cream of rice with nori, or duck foie gras ravioli and black truffle. T

In the trendy, hipster district of Saint Aubin, this tiny bistro, taken over by Arnaud Darbas and Virginie Béziaud, conjures up crisp fresh dishes oozing with distinctive flavours. The technique and creativity of the youthful chef, who trained with the best, are impressive: green asparagus and a light frothy sabayon with smoked olive oil; line-caught hake from Saint Jean de Luz, yuzu-laced shellfish and roasted white asparagus; Ibaïama pork, varied textures of seasonal veggies, garlic emulsion and a punchy gravy. In a simply appointed yet inviting interior, Virginie seamlessly manages the fron