Chez Gillou

In the heart of the Forez region, this group of large stone and timber buildings nestles between a fir forest and a lake. The property is conducive to kicking back on the terrace in summer or, in winter, to embracing the hygge lifestyle by the imposing fireplace in the cosy restaurant room. Chef Thomas Laurier (Maison Pic and Dame de Pic, Chabichou) cooks up indulgent comfort food: an excellent pâté en croûte (a speciality served year-round in different variations), or pain de brochet – tender and crispy pike terrine with a perfectly executed dill and potato velouté. The chef's partner provide

Originally from Cuzieu, a mere 2km away, Antoine Bergeron is very much a local boy. Ambitious and passionate about his work, he takes you on a surprise fine dining journey that subtly, creatively and joyfully showcases ingredients from hand-picked suppliers. Comfortably seated in the bright, contemporary dining room, you will enjoy a culinary tour of the region and the local markets. For example, Drôme zander with sorrel, tarragon and vanilla-laced fish stock; fillet of Aubrac beef, red cabbage in walnut oil and anise hyssop sabayon. Food that nurtures the soul, with special mention for the sa

In this 16C château, where period terracotta floor tiles meet stone fireplaces, chef Julien Laval – who previously worked at Restaurant Serge Vieira in Chaudes-Aigues and was a finalist in the French Dessert Championship – is truly coming into his own. His indulgent modern dishes combine top-notch ingredients with a judicious use of international details, and are meticulously presented – take, for example, the foie gras terrine topped with a green tea and hibiscus jelly, served with lychee chutney in kumquat vinegar, or the Dombes duckling prepared two ways: cooked whole and pastilla, accompan

Surrounded by parkland, this handsome 1920s property was inspired by the Italian Renaissance, hence the frieze under the eaves depicting mythological scenes, marble and mosaics. The elegant colonnaded dining room, meanwhile, is more contemporary in spirit with embedded lighting, comfy armchairs and refined tableware. Two brothers manage this family business: chef Sylvain Roux, whose heartwarming dishes showcase top-drawer ingredients: crab, ponzu gelée and sea urchin cream, and enthusiastic sommelier Frédéric Roux. The latter can be relied upon for insightful wine tips that never fail to deliv

On the banks of the River Loire, this restaurant is run by a local chef, whose trademark is delicious market-fresh cuisine. He serves an affordable set menu at lunchtime and a more elaborate monthly set menu. He carefully sources his ingredients, giving local produce pride of place: foie gras from Domaine de Limagne, trout caught in the Oron, beef from a farmer-butcher in Renaison, Roanne saffron and organic vegetables from Arfeuilles. A lovely cheese trolley is presented in the dining room.

Set on the banks of the Loire, this inn, refurbished in a tasteful modern vein, is the bolthole of Marie and Fabien Raux (born in northern France, the chef’s eclectic career has taken him to fine establishments from Morocco to Alsace). The chef crafts dishes in the zeitgeist, curated into a single set menu and starring seasonal produce. The vegetables come straight from the nearly 5 acres of garden and orchard that supply 90% of the restaurant’s needs, even in winter! The remainder is sourced from a handful of local producers: Loire zander, lamb, rabbit… Everything tastes of something in this

Now a destination for food lovers, this bistro was once a station building (on the former PLM network). It has lost none of its charm – brick semi-circular arches, wooden shutters painted in the green of France's SNCF railway and a clock on the façade; inside, original terracotta floor tiles, wood and wrought-iron tables, and wallpaper with 1970s patterns. Clémence (front of house) and Sacha (kitchen) are the young couple at the controls. His indulgent contemporary dishes – pâté en croûte and seasonal pickles; free-range poultry, gnocchi, sweetcorn and spinach; chocolate tart – showcase colour