chambre SIXTIES

This restaurant in a 15C building, tucked away in a picturesque side street, is the lair of a cheerful couple, Simon and Linda Boudet. He crafts flavoursome seasonal nosh that celebrates Gallic culinary traditions. Good country cooking with the odd more contemporary touch: salmon gravlax, dill, beetroot and wasabi; chicken breast, roast apricot, polenta fries and rosemary-flavoured poultry gravy. The 100% homemade profiterole is an exquisite blend of fluffy and crunchy – to die for!

On the corner of Rue Saint Laurent and Rue des Bouchers, Luc Catherine in the kitchen and Stéphanie Amy in the dining room have brilliantly preserved the soul of this establishment, following a warm, fashionable makeover featuring bare stones and beams. Top-notch ingredients, indulgent, nostalgic recipes and artful plating are the name of the game: gazpacho of green peas with an organic poached egg; smoked pork cutlet with saté-laced risotto of noodles and a cheesecake version of Breton shortbread. Slick service and sensible prices: what’s not to like?

This 18C listed stately home is framed by formal gardens set in landscaped grounds. This special occasion decor provides the perfect foil to a polished pedigree score of Gallic classics, jazzed up with personal touches in tune with the seasons of Normandy. First-class jus, sauces and craftsmanship courtesy of a virtuoso chef. Le 1715 bistro, established in the former library, serves simpler and more affordable fare.

Purebred Normandy chef Ivan Vautier has been honing his talents for over thirty years in this property, done up in tasteful contemporary vein outside the town centre. Fiercely proud of his region, the chef aims to showcase the very best of Normandy’s ingredients in soul-warming recipes: green asparagus from Bellengreville; wild morels from a local picker; double cream from Isigny Sainte Mère; Normandy raised pork etc, without forgetting the local catch. Those with a sweet tooth will be entranced by the vision of a millefeuille “as high as a skyscraper”!

At Le Lion d'Or, the chef works his magic with produce sourced in Normandy that he embellishes with Asian flavours. An unexpected culinary marriage inspired by his travels in Asia, particularly Japan and Thailand. Add to this, flawless culinary technique and seasoning and you will be roaring with pleasure!

Grandiose is the term that springs to mind when describing this 18C château, set in landscaped grounds planted with Lebanese cedars and sequoias. Take a seat in one of the plush dining rooms or in the bright conservatory to savour the chef’s predominantly Normandy-focused cuisine: vegetables, cheeses, foie gras and, of course, line-caught fish.

The Château de la Chenevière bistro is housed in the old orangery and has retained its large glass roof. Nestled between the garden and the swimming pool, it is decorated in a charming "English cottage" style. Tuck into good seasonal bistronomy fare: low temperature egg, cream of celery, cockles, samphire and wholegrain mustard; goat cheese risotto, snow peas, mushrooms and garlic cream.