Auberge Bretonne

A globetrotter and keen ornithologist, (with birds fluttering freely in his garden,) Éric Guérin has invented a universe that is uniquely his own. On an island ringed by circular canals, in the heart of the Brière Regional Nature Park, he has immersed himself in his terroir, all the better to serve up his own superb take on it. Indeed, the chef is an artist at heart, whose first passion is "creating". It is in the kitchen that he has found "his mode of expression", and for that we are grateful to him! Using first-class ingredients, he crafts appealing "natural" dishes that are rife with person

In the heart of this village with no shortage of medieval charm, this half-timbered house decorated with sculpted faces tells a story. Dating from 1478, it was an inn, then a crêperie and is now home to an inviting restaurant. Alban Chartron and Sarah Alba have brought with them the expertise they acquired in prestigious Michelin-starred establishments (Ducasse, Pic, Crillon), ploughing it into a menu they describe as "pastoral". Their cuisine is generous, well-crafted and often enhanced by just the right amount of peppers and spices. The dishes are run through with authentic accents: juicy po

The HQ of Benoît Gauchet, who trained with the likes of Jacques Thorel, Olivier Roellinger and Jean-François Piège, stands in the heart of the picturesque town of La Roche Bernard. The modern score celebrates country produce sourced from local markets in which fish and seafood take pride of place. The elegant dining room overlooks a herb garden. A few guestrooms are available for overnight stays.

Set among flower gardens and century-old trees, this fully restored 16C Breton estate has been enhanced by an elegant contemporary extension. In this refined setting, chef Olivier Samson (formerly of La Gourmandière - La Table d'Olivier) showcases his talent. His refined contemporary cuisine is deeply rooted in the local terroir and presented in the form of tasting menus. Celtic produce is handled with precision: Breton abalone with spinach and a pork jus; sole from small-boat fishing with asparagus and kumquat; roast pigeon with cocoa and pigeon leg bonbon. In dish after dish, buckwheat, sea

On the south bank of the Loire estuary, this imposing contemporary building overlooks the small port of Gravette. Talented chef Mathieu Guibert, a local lad from the Retz region and a farmer’s son, has forged solid ties, founded on respect, with producers from the region who are as passionate about what they do as he is. It is no surprise that seafood plays a star role here. Depending on the catch of the day, the menu might feature lightly cooked prawns, pommes soufflées (‘puffed potatoes’) and an infusion of green cardamon; risotto of haddock, langoustine carpaccio and parmesan emulsion; stuf

An enthusiastic and friendly young couple, Clément Raby from Paris and Estelle Mercier from the Gard region, have succeeded in turning heads with what they call their “cuisine libre” (“free cooking”). Served in a relaxed setting, this creative, original cuisine is spot on, with recipes that really work and just the right combination of flavours. On their “blind” menus, dishes aren’t announced until after you’ve tasted them so that guests can really give their senses and tastebuds a workout!

There is space for just eight diners at the large counter laid out face to face with the kitchen, plus a few more tables to the rear. Every day, a single fish-forward set menu is improvised by chef Guillaume Brisard, who has forged an impressive culinary path (Fort de l'Océan in Le Croisic, Le Skipper in Saint-Nazaire). Fine ingredients inspire his dishes, which you can savour as you engage in conversation with the chef.