La Chaumerie

This quiet restaurant on the outskirts of Châtellerault features a minimalist decor in a palette of sandy hues. In the kitchen, Richard Robe demonstrates his experience – his perfectly balanced dishes reveal strong technical skills: crispy tempura frogs' legs, home-made ketchup and herb pesto; free-range chicken grilled flat on the yakitori barbecue, served with sauce diable; vanilla and buckwheat caramel millefeuille. Generous food that exudes sincerity.

Not far from Poitiers, Château de Dissay, a beautifully curated 15C stately home, now a charming hotel, has transformed one of its elegant saloons decked in parquet floors and ceiling mouldings into a dining area. The modern graphic culinary score finds its roots in pedigree bourgeois recipes and sings an ode to premium produce such as cèpes, langoustine, free-range guinea fowl, Bourbon vanilla. Sauces and jus packed in flavour add a kick, illustrated by turbot confit in mussels and a saffron sauce. Bistronomic menu at the start of the week and at lunchtime.

Johann (front of house) and Collis (chef) spoil their diners rotten in this culinary landmark established in a pretty 17C village built by Cardinal Richelieu. The period varnished wooden façade leads into a warm, friendly bistro interior that is perfectly suited to the establishment’s focus on good food and good vibes. The chef keeps things simple with a regularly-changing menu of wholesome dishes that are firmly rooted in the seasons, albeit spiced up with the odd exotic touch, such as an Asian-inspired guinea fowl raviole. Similar care is lavished on the knockout desserts.

Housed in an inviting building in the heart of the village of Montamisé, this welcoming restaurant continues to polish its concept. Ludovic Dumont's purposely creative approach is primarily focused on fish and seafood and vegetables, using which he devises multi-course blind menus that are aligned with the seasons. The space is intimate, bright and spruce, and the service is very cordial. There are three welcoming gîtes to extend your stay here.

The same family has been honing their gift for hospitality and running this inn, formerly a post house, since 1870. Chef Mathias pours his energy into concocting gutsy food with fine produce, harnessing his immaculate technique and inspired talent to the delight of foodies. An experience to be sampled in an elegant interior, whose vintage charm is dotted with modern touches. Attentive front-of-house service by Martial, the chef’s brother. Simpler bistro score at lunchtime. A few rooms for overnight stays.

Chef Pierre Drouineau, who hails from Sarthe (near Le Mans), runs this restaurant at the entrance to an attractive fortified priory, the jewel in the crown of this charming country village. Both the setting and the food are a delight, thanks in particular to the wealth of local ingredients: Touraine lentils, spelt from Manthelan, strawberries from Chouzé-sur-Loire. Think modern bistro cuisine, simple and flavoursome, in the form of dishes such as fillet of duck, roasted crisps, new potatoes from Louans and carrot ketchup – a creation that is packed with distinct flavours.

The son and grandson of restaurateurs, Sébastien Boireau had embarked on a different career before ultimately following in the family footsteps. When his culinary vocation called, he opened this restaurant with an elegant little shopfront in the city centre. Here, he has created a refined dining room (wooden seats with cream leather cushions, white walls, mirrors framed by plants). His cuisine is fresh and modern, and as pared back as the decor: scallop carpaccio; veal fillet, carrot mousseline, blood orange jus…