Les Barelles Chambres Dhôtes

Paul Bocuse’s legend is as vibrant as ever. The “cook of the century”, as gifted in the kitchen as in business and an example for so many of today’s international stars of gastronomy, was no doubt the first modern chef. Faithful to this spirit, the high-flying kitchen brigade (two chefs and a maitre d’, all MOFs, and a world champion of iced desserts) endeavours to uphold this legacy, whilst anchoring the establishment firmly in the present. The master’s recipes have thus been lovingly and painstakingly reworked with a focus on seasonal creations in an updated menu. The performance staged in t

After many years with the Bocuse group, chef Luc Abadie has set up shop in this restaurant with a partially open kitchen that allows him to interact with his customers. His traditional cuisine is perfectly crafted and bears the hallmarks of the late Paul Bocuse – namely an absence of contrived creativity and unnecessary convolutions. The culinary offering, which is the same for lunch and dinner, is based on an excellent-value weekly set menu – eg carrot royale with cumin, roast rack of pork with herbs and white beans – and an à la carte menu on which the dishes are just as classical, but made

Old-world charm meets contemporary comfort in this tastefully renovated 15C abbey built entirely of honey-coloured stone. The uplifting cuisine celebrates local recipes and classics: pâté en croûte, pike quenelles, volaille de Bresse with morels, scallop mousse, Rossini pigeon and praline tart. In summer, reserve a table on the pleasant terrace overlooking the courtyard garden.

In a stylish, sand-coloured stone house on the banks of the Saône, L’inaTTendu (‘unexpected’) is aptly named. The chef signs a creative, indulgent score, rooted in regional tradition with the odd Asian twist. You can expect a dining experience rich in culinary twists paired with a matchless view of the river from the lush green terrace.

This brasserie in the heart of the village sits just outside the indoor market, serving delicious traditional dishes that scrupulously respect the fundamentals of French cuisine. Made with seasonal produce, the set menu – available at both lunch and dinner – changes every week. The blackboard features mouth-watering dishes: pork and poultry terrine with pink peppercorns; pollock steak with potatoes dressed with parsley and a Parmesan sauce; a custard tart with Madagascar vanilla that won first prize for the "best flan pâtissier in France".

This 18C edifice by the River Saône feels like a cross between a trendy guinguette and a country house. The food is resolutely in the zeitgeist, but for all that does not neglect French classics, a case in point being pan-fried frogs' legs or sautéed calf’s sweetbread. Peaceful, cosy terrace.

Here in the capital of the historical Beaujolais province, this aptly named restaurant boasts a contemporary decor with blue walls, untreated wood and a glass-fronted wine cellar. The dishes, of course, showcase seasonal produce with precision. On this occasion, options included soy-cured egg yolk with shiitake mushrooms and asparagus espuma; pork pluma with artichokes barigoule and a full-bodied liquorice jus; and a chocolate and coffee duo with contrasting textures. The lunch menu is updated every week; the seasonal menu changes throughout the year. Smooth service and a regional wine list.