Touch of Spain in Rural France

Elegance reigns in this former porcelain manufacturer's house on the doorstep of Limoges. Works of art, Bernardaud tableware and a hushed atmosphere combine to create a refined experience. In the kitchen, Gilles Dudognon and his son Henri work together to cook up dishes using premium ingredients from the property's vegetable garden and producers in the region. The appealing menu features classics such as pithiviers and lamprey à la bordelaise, alongside more contemporary suggestions such as seared langoustines, cul noir bacon and shell foam. Charming guestrooms, too.

In a modern interior, this restaurant puts local ingredients centre stage. On sunny days, on the peaceful patio, you will make the connection between the name of this place and its namesake, the Roman general Lucullus, renowned for his lavish dining table. The flavoursome dishes, such as Anjou quail roasted whole, with confit legs, burnt corn purée and royal sauce, are beautifully presented.

In the verdant setting of a small wood near the Vienne River, tuck into meticulous cuisine that reflects the seasons: ballotine of guinea fowl with mushrooms and chestnut mousseline; sautéed calf sweetbreads, Madeira reduction and candied celeriac; lychee and ginger pavlova. N.B. You have a choice of two formats – restaurant or bistro – and you can dine on the pretty terrace overlooking the lake.

This restaurant housed in an old mill sports a cheerful interior and a splendid fireplace for cosy winter moments. In summer, the riverside terrace is the perfect spot to dig into appetising, market-fresh food, whose original and well-crafted recipes focus on locally sourced produce.

In a converted barn that oozes charm, Florent Linard has created an ambiance that is entirely in keeping with his personal style. The open kitchen set beneath rafters sets the tone as he circulates between the kitchen and the tables to welcome guests and take orders. His sincere, honest cuisine revolves around ingredients and flavours: crispy beef tongue seasoned with bottarga, pan-fried foie gras; Dordogne trout cooked on one side, rillettes and escargot beurre blanc.

For three generations, this delightful inn has been cultivating the art of hospitality and good food. The chef concocts meticulous dishes that toe the line between tradition and modernity and pay tribute to the seasons. So take a seat and order safe in the knowledge you will eat well!

Arthur Buisson is thriving in this attractive, trendy interior as he rolls out a modern, playful score that makes abundant use of aromatic herbs and spices and seasonings of all sorts. It is only natural that the chef’s globetrotting past influences his vibrant, distinctive craftsmanship. Even better, he also turns out to be a dab pastry chef!