AUBERGE DES PINS

L’Aubépine has been flourishing for a decade now in the capable hands of Manuel Raya Moreno, former research scientist turned chef. In his town centre HQ, he rolls out a modern, local, seasonal lineup with an eye on market availability and short supply chains. Concise appetising lunchtime menu; surprise menu in the evening. Distinctive, deftly crafted signature cuisine by a talented chef who believes in what he’s doing.

This discreet inn near Aubenas boasts an elegant contemporary setting. The chef prepares cuisine that espouses the zeitgeist, drawing on the terroir and modern trends, with a distinct penchant for small-scale producers. Free-range farm-raised pork, snails, saffron, goat's cheese, wild herbs picked by hand: everything is local. Efficient and cordial service.

Sitting in the vaulted room with exposed stones, looking onto the ruins of the former Benedictine convent, you can enjoy food that places the onus on quality ingredients. The dishes are generous, delicious, flavoursome and original. A friendly and pleasant place, opened by a young couple in 2011.

Dressed stone vaulting and designer furniture set the stage in this converted water mill. The chef rolls out a seven-course set menu dotted with classical nods and globetrotting inspirations: Thai carrot soup, shrimp and buckwheat; escalopes of pork with mashed potatoes; confit apple and chocolate mousse.

This endearing family inn has been serving well-crafted food, in which local producers take pride of place, since 1887! The elegant dining room which overlooks the countryside of southern Ardèche provides the perfect foil to sample Claude Brioude’s “Discovery” menu: a new spin on the omelette with Ardèche watercress, gravlax of trout and leeks, trilogy of lamb with a veggie pie…

With its rustic atmosphere and whitewashed walls, this village restaurant opposite the church is a real hub of activity complete with a bar and wine cellar. Clément Guernalec, formerly of Septime, serves modern, plant-forward cuisine in a mystery-menu format. Highlights include white asparagus with taramasalata and Meyer lemon, or beef tartare with pimentón de la Vera sabayon. Spices and chilli elevate dishes built on classic foundations. An unpretentious dining experience, complemented by a carefully curated selection of wines.

The view over the valley and the surrounding Ardèche hillsides, a beautiful timber structure, chestnut wood tables, an indoor aromatic herb garden and the etymology of the name bòria ("small Cévennes farm" in Ardèche dialect) - the stage is set! Assisted by a high-flying team whose wholehearted commitment to the house ethos is beyond doubt, chef Florian Descours pays tribute to his rural roots with fresh, local produce: beef from Privas, pork from Beaulieu, snails from the Eyrieux valley and trout from Vercors). A treat from beginning to end, from the grilled baby gem lettuce and Villevocance