la cle des champs

(Temporarily closed) Julie and Sébastien Bonnet have settled in a pretty country village a few kilometres from Crest, their previous haunt. In an edifice dear to Sébastien’s heart (it was formerly the Demeure de Grane, a local institution where he carried out his apprenticeship), he enthusiastically demonstrates that both his talents and his seasonal fare, equally poised between surf and turf produce, are as enticing as ever. His spot-on, sophisticated, occasionally playful dishes are served in two cosily contemporary dining rooms. The splendid wine list, with Rhône wines in a prominent positi

(Temporarily closed) Len'K is the bistronomic wing of the Bonnet establishment. Seated on the terrace shaded by plane trees or in the dining room, diners are in for a treat as they tuck into guinea fowl and olive terrine, or stuffed red mullet paired with a velvety shellfish emulsion. Laid-back service.

The first thing to mention about Maison Pic (in the Drôme département of southeast France) is its special atmosphere. An artfully lit room designed to cast light on the dishes, floral creations, a thick carpet that muffles the steps of a front-of-house team dressed in classic attire. Here, they serve food the old-fashioned way, on a porcelain plate under a cloche. The lofty culinary obsessions of a chef who has been dubbed "the tightrope walker of flavours" – adulation of Japan, original presentations – make themselves felt in the dishes. Anne-Sophie Pic now serves a single set menu with seven

Nestling at the foot of a château that is famous for having welcomed Madame de Sévigné as a regular patron, this restaurant is the perfect embodiment of Provence's twin traditions of hospitality and good food: olive oil from Nyons, guinea fowl and diced vegetables from the Drôme are judiciously showcased by chef Benjamin Reilhes in the form of three tasting menus comprising several courses. One of the set menus draws entirely on plants. This restaurant is an ode to the Mediterranean's fine ingredients and Rhône Valley wines. Pastry chef Cédric Perret, meanwhile, creates desserts in harmony wit

Between the départements of Drôme and Ardèche, this restaurant named after Roman senator Alethius has a distinctly Provençal air about it. The villa is arranged around a square courtyard, a gorgeous verdant patio where you can dine in fine weather. After working for Jean-Michel Lorain at La Côte Saint-Jacques, Olivier Samin occupied the post of sous-chef for Anne-Sophie Pic for a long time. He delivers fresh cuisine that reflects the seasons and market availability (eg regional fruit and vegetables, escargots from Helix Eyrieux, local cheeses), and he also has a tremendous sense of balance: pr

Built on the ruins of a hermitage in the heart of Provençal Drôme, this proud homestead first woos us with its bare stone walls and lime vaults. Johan Thyriot then bowls us over with a creative score presented by theme: Water, Earth, Air and Fire. Dishes, such as ikejime trout or guinea fowl roasted whole, are further enhanced by permaculture vegetables. Rare peppers and aromatic plants are the guiding thread that binds these compositions together. High-flying, distinctive craftsmanship.

In the heart of historic Valence, Flaveurs has become Épithèque. In a colourful setting, depicted by a carpeted floor and chestnut wood tables, Baptiste Poinot aims to create closer ties with his diners and can often be found in the dining room. Influenced by his delicatessen grandfather, Poinot studied at Vienne Hospitality School, before learning the ropes with Michel Chabran, Anne-Sophie Pic and Joël Robuchon. This sensitive chef, who seeks above all to convey an emotion, crafts food that bears witness to the careful thought, excellent produce and consummate skill behind each dish.