Logis Hôtel & Restaurant L'ermitage

Sarthois born and bred, chef Jean-Sébastien Monné is originally from these parts. He presides over this former inn in which the industrial style of a light-filled metal-framed extension meets the bucolic charm of the garden and terrace. He cultivates the art of working with small local producers and is devoted to the joys of rooftop beekeeping. Thanks to the meticulous work that goes into the selection of impeccable-quality ingredients, he is able to put his own more modern spin on the classics: Angus beef prepared as a tartare, breaded and fried quail's egg, puffed potato; duck from Canard So

The Morvan duo is back in the saddle and raring to go! They now work side by side, as the chef’s wife is happily back in the kitchen. After kicking off with a high-flying array of appetisers, the couple’s distinctive and creative score sets its sights on the local terroir (his birthplace) with a few hops over to Savoie (her birthplace). You can expect a virtuoso demonstration of culinary balance, enhanced by vibrant, incisive sauces that will sweep your tastebuds off their feet: duckling, sweet potatoes, grapefruit dressing, puree of rosehip and gin-spiked jus… On the beverage side, the alcoho

Deep in the Normandy countryside, the huge forest of Andaine seems to have put down roots in this wood-rich restaurant as it nurtures and nourishes Franck Quinton’s forest-inspired cooking. His way with mushrooms is second to none: tricholoma, bearded hedgehog, blue foot or grey and yellow oyster mushrooms make guest appearances in his famous “mushroom toastie”. The surrounding woodland plays a prominent role in his cooking, as the Douglas pine used in herbal tea illustrates. A committed champion of local produce, the chef cherry-picks his ducklings, veg from down the road and creamy Gillot AO

Le Petit Serrant, an 18C manor house located at the confluence of the River Maine and River Loire, is the elegant setting for this restaurant, where diners come as much for the cuisine as for the charm of the location. Romain Zarazaga, a chef trained by Laurent Petit, Emmanuel Renaut and the Troisgros, serves a wonderful array of dishes that are perfectly in tune with the times. His masterful jus and sauces are another standout feature of his cooking – for example, line-caught sea bass confit accompanied by a butter-based fish stock with Domaine Mosse vermouth. The charcoal-grilled squab with

Formerly the canteen of the local iron ore mine (closed in April 1970), this inn has been the haunt of the same chef for over 40 years. Trained classically, his watchword is simplicity and his cooking is the epitome of straightforward authenticity, albeit with flawless technique and inspired creativity. Examples include calf’s sweetbread flanked by Vire andouille and braised in hay – culinary bliss! This enticing seasonal score is served in two stylishly sleek dining rooms that manage to avoid the starched formality that can be characteristic of such places… What a treat to go down the mine!

The sprawling estate never fails to make an impression: a Classical 18C castle, a 19C water tower, works of art, a hotel made up of futuristic pods fixed to a central metal mast and, finally, the circular restaurant with a living roof that is reminiscent of a flying saucer that has landed in the middle of the vegetable garden. Chef Jérôme Jouadé draws on his true affinity with nature and plants to practise his art here. He also makes the most of a greenhouse, a snail pen and an orchard, and does his own wild picking. Pollack, red meat radish and wild garlic; skate wing, white asparagus from La

On the left bank of the Maine, the chef cooks up flavoursome recipes that blend tradition and the essence of the sun-drenched Mediterranean: croquetta di miale and a herby mayonnaise; shank of confit veal with Milanese risotto… A festive vibe, a crisp, enticing lineup and invariably packed to the seams. Meals are served in a trendy, industrial brasserie interior or alfresco, on the terrace.