Hôtel du Cygne

A gorgeous country house smothered in Virginia Creeper, a waterside terrace shaded by birch trees and an historic mill, whose cogwheels are still intact: we fell in love with this Instagram-perfect picture of the French countryside outside Bernay. Such is the perfect foil for chef Cédric Auger’s cuisine that stars fresh, premium, seasonal produce. Book a room and stay overnight.

For nearly 30 years, Arnaud and Cécilia Viel have been running their modern establishment with a strong personality in perfect harmony with the chef's cuisine. Here in Argentan, homage is paid to Normandy through exceptional hand-picked ingredients: local butter and unpasteurised farmhouse cream, scallops from Port-en-Bessin, lobster from Carteret, foie gras from the Pays d'Auge, sand carrots from Créances, sometimes combined with premium items such as caviar or black winter truffles. The food impresses with flawless execution and harmonious flavours. The excellent wine list is curated by Céci

In the heart of the medieval town of Verneuil-d'Avre-et-d'Iton, Le Madeleine, run by chef Cyril Coutin, is a charming restaurant in which the old – stonework and exposed beams – meets the new: think contemporary emerald-green feature wall. Normandy's terroir takes centre stage in the food, a feature of which is the use of aged cuts of meat. Friendly, smiling service.

This restaurant, which immediately draws the eye with its appealing half-timbered façade, is a tried-and-tested favourite with diners. Originally from Normandy, chef Xavier Buzieux has been turning out generous, accomplished home-style cooking for nearly 30 years, attentive to the seasons and local producers. Its success continues unabated, thanks in no small part to its droves of regulars and warm and friendly atmosphere.

Amandine Chaignot has breathed new life into this inn, in which centuries-old beams meet modern concrete. While the bistro has energised this village deep in the Perche region, the fine dining restaurant unveils a personal style of cooking marked by remarkable finesse. The restaurant's name, meaning "sage", is particularly apt, as herbs are ever-present in and set the tone for the dishes: sorrel or nettle in the starters, complemented by bay leaf oil or an infusion of verbena, rosemary and sage. Locally sourced produce, from neighbouring farmers, lies at the heart of the plant-forward menu.

(Temporarily closed) Stéphane and Agnès Mabille greet guests warmly in their spruce, traditional inn, appointed in a rustic vein. The seasoned chef concocts homemade terrines and assorted Normandy delicacies. In fine weather, make a beeline for the garden and terrace, which overlook the horses grazing in the next-door world-famous Haras du Pin stud farm. Unstarched, friendly vibe.

The country annexe of Paris's Septime. Come to enjoy enduring, seasonal and rustic cuisine that is rooted in its surroundings, drawing solely on quality produce from the nearby markets (in Sarthe and Normandy) and, to a lesser extent, what is harvested in the farm's vegetable garden. The tastefully decorated dining room exudes rustic chic. In the same spirit, a few guestrooms extend an invitation to linger a little on this wooded hill in the Perche region, with its fruit trees, hives, and even a sauna overlooking the natural surroundings. A laudable initiative.